The official student newspaper of Walter Johnson High School

The Pitch
Junior club treasurer Lily Bienfang unlocks the equipment collection bin. As of April 2024, the WJ LPF club became the bin ambassador for the Falls Road bin.
WJ LPF club levels the playing field
WJ Food4All serves community
WJ Food4All serves community
MCPS Board of Education members raise their hands in favor of delaying construction at Woodward and Crown High Schools. The plan specifically calls for delaying auditoriums at both schools until funds are appropriated for their construction.
A look at the winners of the Board of Education elections
NAHS brushes up creative murals
NAHS brushes up creative murals
Social studies teacher Mitchell Joy analyzes an AP World student's work using the timeline feature in the Brisk program. Brisk allows educators to see students type each word, making it much easier for teachers to ensure that students do not use AI or other students' work to cheat.
New academic integrity systems strengthen WJ grading system
With phase I of construction completed, Woodward High School now accommodates Northwood students. Phase II and III of the project have yet to be started, and will likely incorporate the construction of an athletics field and auditorium. (Courtesy MCPS)
MCPS miscalculation leads to $39 million construction deficit
The college and career center there are many pamphlets on college information and SAT/ACT prep. Within the center is Mrs. Evans' office, she can help answer some questions one may have about the next steps
The benefits of college visits
Junior club treasurer Lily Bienfang unlocks the equipment collection bin. As of April 2024, the WJ LPF club became the bin ambassador for the Falls Road bin.
WJ LPF club levels the playing field
A group of Israelis in the community rally together on Montrose Bridge. They decided to gather together around 6:30 a.m., marking the exact one-year anniversary of the war. (Courtesy Liann Keren)
Oct. 7: the impacts one year later
Two friends play video games together through their TVs. They met through social media, and have become best friends since thanks to the internet. Without it, their friendship wouldn't have been possible, as it is the case for many real life relationships.
How social media has changed relationships
AP Calculus teacher Rachel Zussman works on finishing up her grades prior to the end of the quarter. With many teachers wanting change in the MCPS pay system, a performance-based pay system is an intriguing idea.
Teachers reflect on performance-based pay system
Senior Mwape Sokoni (middle), junior Daniella Ngah (right) and senior Michelle Lett (left) practice a routine in the cafeteria. Step Team practices diligently, performing the routine until the entire group catches on.
A force for good: Mwape Sokoni’s social impact on WJ
Ariana Grande as Ghilda whispering in Cynthia Erivo as Elphaba's ear. A fan edit of this poster caused controversy with Cynthia Erivo. (Courtesy Universal Pictures reused via Fair Use)
Wicked movie promotion causes mixed reactions
A group of kindergarteners sit on the carpet listening to their teacher tell them about the months of the year. Teenagers feel nostalgia when remembering how they used to sit on the carpet in elementary school. (Courtesy woodleywonderworks via Wikimedia Commons)
What nostalgia means to teenagers
Vijay Kannen (11), Bertie Bennett (11), Theo Hansen (11) and Idan Tzioni (12) pose for a photo at the Junior's Homecoming Hallway. Their performance caused a traffic jam as students stopped to listen to the music. (Courtesy Paul Gomes)
Jazz quartet reaches for the high notes
Pep Band plays a song at a home fall football game. "I think pep band is for people that want to go to football games a lot and maybe don't have people to go. It's a place to have fun with a lot of friends," pep band captain senior Theo Hansen said.
Putting the pep in WJ’s step: pep band rallies “juice,” builds community
Opening night's narrators, juniors Yuri Sternberg and Sasha Rotton, turn to watch as a wave of confetti is dropped onto the stage. The performance was unusually colorful, complementing its chaotic nature. "I’m really proud of the cast and the way we were able to come together and work towards putting on the show,” Rotton said.
STAGE salvages ‘Grimm’ choice of play
Backstage with WJ STAGE
Backstage with WJ STAGE
President-elect Donald Trump speaks to a crowd at a 2024 Arizona rally. Trump swept all seven swing states and won the popular vote en route to a victory over Vice President Kamala Harris. (Courtesy Gage Skidmore via Flickr)
Alienating Trump voters is counterproductive
The college application process is stressful for all seniors; many students work their way up the grades with stacked extracurriculars. However, student-athletes seem to be favored more than "regular" applicants. (Courtesy Empowerly)
Student-athlete or part-time worker; which weighs more?
Senior Ginger Fishberg defends the ball against an opposing player during a varsity girls' soccer game against Blair. Despite her obvious athleticism, as well as that of other varsity athletes, she is still required to take a full year of Physical Education to earn the credit. (Courtesy Lifetouch)
Varsity athletics should count as a gym credit
Almost every student takes the ACT or SAT and many take both. Preparation outside of school often correlates with high scores. (Courtesy Citrus County School District)
ACT/SAT prep should be accessible in class
The WJ Baby is held up for a photo by one of its fans during a football game in 2021. Unfortunately, the baby was only able to attend one football game this season before being incarcerated. (Courtesy WJ Baby)
Free the WJ Baby
Common slang ranked from best to worst
Common slang ranked from best to worst
Junior Grant Levins sprints down the track. "I'm here to try out because I love the sport of track and field and I'm working on my 800 [meter] time. Just trying to get better," Levins said.
Photo Gallery: Friday winter track tryouts
Junior WR Corey Dooren checks with the referee that he is on the line of scrimmage. Dooren helped step up throughout the Wildcat's season and will continue to step up as he matures into a senior next year.
Panthers pounce Wildcats, ending football season
Day in the life of a student-athlete
Day in the life of a student-athlete
Senior Ginger Fishberg defends the ball against an opposing player during a varsity girls' soccer game against Blair. Despite her obvious athleticism, as well as that of other varsity athletes, she is still required to take a full year of Physical Education to earn the credit. (Courtesy Lifetouch)
Varsity athletics should count as a gym credit
Captain Patrick Murphy skates past a defender on a race to the puck. Murphy's defense was a huge contributor in the 1-9 win against Blair.
Icecats breakaway to 4-0 after win against Blair
The cheer squad struts to the floor to start their routine for regionals on Nov. 2 at Harford Community College. The team spent weeks working on their routine and were proud to get the chance to perform it at regionals. “Stepping on to the mat at regionals, I felt really nervous, but I was also very excited because I wanted to show the judges all the hard work we put into the routine,” junior Lyla Cho said. (Courtesy Candice Nsoga-Mahob)
Cheer closes season, scores 4th at regionals
Junior Grant Levins sprints down the track. "I'm here to try out because I love the sport of track and field and I'm working on my 800 [meter] time. Just trying to get better," Levins said.
Photo Gallery: Friday winter track tryouts
Day in the life of a student-athlete
Day in the life of a student-athlete
ESOL hosts pumpkin carving event
ESOL hosts pumpkin carving event
Opening night's narrators, juniors Yuri Sternberg and Sasha Rotton, turn to watch as a wave of confetti is dropped onto the stage. The performance was unusually colorful, complementing its chaotic nature. "I’m really proud of the cast and the way we were able to come together and work towards putting on the show,” Rotton said.
STAGE salvages ‘Grimm’ choice of play
Support staff of WJ
Support staff of WJ
Backstage with WJ STAGE
Backstage with WJ STAGE
The official student newspaper of Walter Johnson High School

The Pitch
The official student newspaper of Walter Johnson High School

The Pitch

Leila Siegel, Online Feature Editor

This is senior Leila Siegel’s second year on The Pitch Online as the Online Feature Editor. Besides writing articles, Leila participates in the school’s symphonic orchestra and WJ S*T*A*G*E’s pit orchestra. She is also involved in the Black Student Union, Amnesty International club and the Read, Grow, Live Club. In her spare time, Leila enjoys sleeping and watching Netflix. She is excited to see what this year will bring to The Pitch Online.

[email protected]

All content by Leila Siegel
AP classes can produce mixed feelings from students. Photo curtesy of henricoschools.us

What are the advantages of APs?

Leila Siegel, Online Feature Editor
May 19, 2016
Photo courtesy of pinterest.com

Are your habits healthy?

Leila Siegel, Online Feature Editor
May 17, 2016
Junior Eric Guerci will be running for a second time this year. Photo courtesy of smoberic.com

Weighing In: SMOB elections

Leila Siegel, Online Feature Editor
Apr 25, 2016
Photo courtesy of today.com

Where should you vacation this summer?

Leila Siegel, Online Feature Editor
Apr 25, 2016
Ms. MacFadden is known by many for her droll commentary. Photo by Leila Siegel.

Teacher Profile: Melanie MacFadden

Leila Siegel, Online Feature Editor
Apr 14, 2016
Photo by Leila Siegel

Many seniors opting to take English 12

Leila Siegel, Online Feature Editor
Mar 16, 2016
Photo courtesy of memegenerator.net

Are you more Damn Daniel or Bad Luck Brian?

Leila Siegel, Online Feature Editor
Mar 10, 2016
Photo by Ally Orndorff

Fest performs best

Leila Siegel, Online Feature Editor
Mar 4, 2016
Photo courtesy of YouTube

Fest to be a success

Leila Siegel, Online Feature Editor
Feb 24, 2016
Photo courtesy of Lindsay Grymes

Student Profile: Lindsay Grymes

Leila Siegel, Online Feature Editor
Jan 12, 2016
Photo courtesy of thedolphinlmc.com

Are you ready for finals?

Leila Siegel, Online Feature Editor
Jan 11, 2016
Photo courtesy of viewmysport.com

How to react to college decisions

Leila Siegel, Online Feature Editor
Dec 22, 2015
Photo courtesy of telegraph.co.uk

How much of a Scrooge are you, really?

Leila Siegel, Online Feature Editor
Dec 10, 2015
Will "Brighten" be used for its intended purpose?

Will “Brighten” be used for its intended purpose?

Leila Siegel, Online Feature Editor
Dec 9, 2015
Restaurant Review: Met Bethesda

Restaurant Review: Met Bethesda

Leila Siegel, Online Feature Editor
Nov 19, 2015
Club Profile: Psychology Club

Club Profile: Psychology Club

Leila Siegel, Online Feature Editor
Nov 2, 2015
Photo courtesy of Flickr Creative Commons

Controversial costumes: Students, staff weigh in on offensive Halloween costumes

Leila Siegel, Online Feature Editor
Oct 20, 2015
Restaurant Review: Not Your Average Joe's

Restaurant Review: Not Your Average Joe’s

Leila Siegel, Online Feature Editor
Oct 6, 2015
Senioritis has been a conflict for many high schoolers.

How sweeping is “Senioritis”?

Leila Siegel, Online Feature Editor
Sep 21, 2015
Ruth Shatkay poses at graduation, where she delivered a speech.

Student Profile: Ruth Shatkay receives Charles H. Rideout Award

Leila Siegel, Online Feature Editor
Jun 8, 2015
Seniors who are about to graduate have some wise words for incoming freshmen.

Senior Says: Advice from seniors to freshmen

Leila Siegel, Online Feature Editor
May 26, 2015
The robotics team at the Botball Regional Tournament earlier in April.

Robotics team advances to Global Championships

Leila Siegel, Online Feature Editor
May 20, 2015
Junior Grace Hazlett, a senior class presidential candidate, shared this campaign poster via Twitter.

More students want to take the lead this year

Leila Siegel, Online Feature Editor
May 15, 2015
School dress codes all over the country have been causing debates over sexism.

Dress Code causes Debate

Leila Siegel, Online Feature Editor
May 7, 2015
The food served at Chicken on the Run, especially its namesake, is uniquely delicious.

Restaurant Review: Chicken on the Run

Leila Siegel, Online Feature Editor
Apr 30, 2015
The Gender and Sexuality Alliance at a meeting earlier this month.

Gender and Sexuality Alliance Welcomes All

Leila Siegel, Online Feature Editor
Apr 23, 2015
One of the best parts of pre-college, according to Ryan Saadeh, is making friends. Here, Saadeh (second from left) spends time with friends he made at Brown.

Summer School: Students opt to take college-level courses over the summer

Leila Siegel, Online Feature Editor
Mar 20, 2015
Some believe that potential presidential candidate Hillary Clinton shows how women's rights have expanded. Others are skeptical of her abilities as a politician.

Feminism Goes Far

Leila Siegel, Online Feature Editor
Mar 13, 2015

Despite Weather, WJ’s First-Ever Minithon is a Success

Leila Siegel, Online Feature Editor
Mar 10, 2015
Mock Trial participants have to give their best effort both in the courtroom and out of it.

Mock Trial Makes Playoffs

Leila Siegel, Online Feature Editor
Mar 10, 2015
One of the many Max Brenner desserts is the "Munchies" pearl sugar waffle, complete with a flask of melted chocolate and a small bowl of chocolate beads for (optional) toppings.

Restaurant Review: Max Brenner Chocolate Bar

Leila Siegel, Online Feature Editor
Feb 11, 2015
Sabet participates in a large number of extracurricular activities for someone of her age. Here, she is decked out in army spirit (camouflage, face paint, etc.) to raise awareness for an upcoming basketball game of hers.

Sarah Sabet: sophomore going on senior

Leila Siegel, Online Feature Editor
Jan 28, 2015

Why The “Scandal at UVA” is a Scandal at Other Schools

Leila Siegel, Online Feature Editor
Dec 19, 2014
The SGA president and vice president work with the mascots to get everyone pumped for the pep rally.

Winter Pep Rally 2014

Leila Siegel, Online Feature Editor
Dec 12, 2014
Teacher Mike Richards explains to one of his Engineering Science classes the basics of building a sailboat.

Sailing Studies: A Look into Engineering Science

Leila Siegel, Online Feature Editor
Dec 8, 2014
The Insideout club's vice president, Ketevan Migineishvili (far left) discusses possible future projects for the club.

Insideout Gets Everything Out Through Art

Leila Siegel, Online Feature Editor
Nov 20, 2014
Though she is relatively new, Yang has already integrated herself as part of WJ's academic teams.

Ho-Jung Yang: Becoming Part of WJ One Team at a Time

Leila Siegel, Online Feature Editor
Nov 17, 2014
The forensics team poses with their County Champions Plaque earlier in March.

Forensics Team Receives Top Honors

Leila Siegel, Online Feature Editor
Nov 10, 2014
Most private school students, whether they end up liking public school or not, encounter large differences when switching.

Public Affair: Why Some Private School Students Switch to Public

Leila Siegel, Online Feature Editor
Oct 30, 2014

Killer Buzz: Can Caffeine be Deadly?

Leila Siegel, Online Feature Editor
Oct 24, 2014
The Heart in Hand Club working concessions at a boys' varsity lacrosse game in 2013.

Club Takes Matters of the Heart into Their Own Hands

Leila Siegel, Online Feature Editor
Oct 6, 2014
Some high school students make the decision to not eat meat, for several different reasons.

Veering to Veg: Why Some Students Swear off Meat

Leila Siegel, Online Feature Editor
Oct 2, 2014
Logie participates in a number of activities, not just theater.

Student Profile: Monique Logie

Leila Siegel, Online Feature Editor
Sep 24, 2014
Many drama students find theater to be a fun escape, and, additionally, something to help them focus.

More Than a Musical: Performing Helps Students On and Off the Stage

Leila Siegel, Online Feature Editor
Sep 18, 2014
Members of the Together to End Hunger Club help out at the 2013 packaging event. Top, from left: junior Gabriela Morris-Flores, junior Brynna Gleeson, junior Emma Pannullo, elementary schooler Christina Pannullo, middle schooler Victoria Pannullo, junior Caitlin Trenkle, junior Madeleine Gefke, and junior Julia Hirsch. Bottom, from left: club sponsor Erin Besch, Stop Hunger Now helper Dominic Alexander, and parent Holly Pannullo.

A Group Effort: Together to End Hunger Club Helps Feed the Underprivileged

Leila Siegel, Online Feature Editor
Sep 8, 2014
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