The official student newspaper of Walter Johnson High School

The Pitch
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
(Courtesy Maryland GovPics - The Celebration of Maryland Black Excellence Reception via Wikimedia)
Alsobrooks wins major fight for Senate seat
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
Club president Sadie Morgenstern and treasurer Brady Chan embrace in a hug with his younger brother, Ryder, at the annual friendship walk last year. “The walk is a fun way to interact with people from other schools and everyone seems to really enjoy it,” Chan said.
Generational friendship: Best Buddies between siblings
A family happily enjoys a holiday meal together, with all the members seemingly enjoying themselves except for the only child in the image. We all know what she's going through and wish we had something-anything to talk to our extended family about.
No politics, just pie: seasonal dinner table topics
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)
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 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
Seniors Ellie Weinstein, Rhea Noumair, Naamiah Corke, and Natalie Annulis celebrate Weinstein's first touchdown of the game.
Girls’ flag football falls to Whitman in playoffs
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
Homecoming hallways walkthrough
Homecoming hallways walkthrough
The official student newspaper of Walter Johnson High School

The Pitch
The official student newspaper of Walter Johnson High School

The Pitch
Liam Barrett

Liam Barrett, Online Managing Editor

Senior Liam Barrett is delighted to serve as Online & Multimedia Managing Editor for his second year on The Pitch. Liam also does Mock Trial and Morning Announcements, and in his free time enjoys reading, not-mandatory writing, and martial arts.

All content by Liam Barrett
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

Liam Barrett, Rhea Noumair and Kaina Sy-Savane
November 15, 2024
Members of the Youth for Harris Fellowship attend a Zoom call with Senator Chris Van Hollen (top left). Past guest speakers include Kaya Jones, National Director of Youth Engagement for the Harris campaign.

Youth political organizing blooms approaching election

Liam Barrett, Online Managing Editor
October 29, 2024

Hot Ones with Mr. Joy

Seyun Park, Gil Gordon and Liam Barrett
October 26, 2024

Becca’s Closet returns to WJ

Liam Barrett, Online Managing Editor
October 7, 2024
Senior Executive Board interns Cristina Simpson, Thailine Romero and Essil Ezzoug brainstorm their next project. As only three of the four interns were present, they had a lot to do. "A big part of this internship is time management and critical skills that you would need not only in a career but in life," Ezzoug said.

New internship puts ‘wild’ back in Wildcat

Liam Barrett, Online Managing Editor
October 4, 2024

#1: Passing the Mic

Billie Lieber and Liam Barrett
September 27, 2024
District 3 Board of Education member Julie Yang converses with WJ Principal Nicole Morgan. The two discussed many topics, including the large number of portables at WJ, and the future plans for Woodward and WJ High Schools.

Board member Julie Yang visits WJ

Seyun Park, Editor-in-Chief
September 18, 2024
Freshmen participate in the fall pep rally’s tug of war. After winning against sophomores, freshmen went on to compete against juniors. “I couldn’t believe we lost against freshmen,” sophomore Dea Krasniqi said.

Class of 2028 jumps into a new start

Sabrina Solares, Online Feature Editor
September 23, 2024
A group of seniors triumphantly celebrate their class' victory in the class tug-of-war. It is the fourth consecutive year the seniors have won the fall tug-of-war.

Photo gallery: Fall Pep Rally

Liam Barrett, Seyun Park, Meher Parsinni and Joshua Singer
September 10, 2024
Surrounded by empty desks, AP Literature teacher Melanie MacFadden prepares to read the names of graduating students at Thursday's ceremony. "Generally from year to year what I usually do [after the seniors leave] is go back through and take a look at the curriculum for AP Literature and see if I want to make any changes, so I've been working on that as well," MacFadden said.

Photo gallery: Emptiest classes after senior exodus

Liam Barrett, Online Managing Editor
June 10, 2024

The Change-Up: J1 Podcast Features

Liam Barrett, Podcast Editor
May 10, 2024
Sophomore Ronan Mailhot (Javert) yells at sophomore Benjamin Kish (Jean Valjean) during the opening performance, “Look down.” The two actors paired very well together, and their interactions throughout the show were fierce and powerful. “A couple months after rehearsal, when they were doing a run-through, literally my jaw dropped…I didn’t even realize some of my friends could sing so well,” freshman Abigail Friedlin said.

Photo gallery: WJ STAGE performs Les Misérables

Liam Barrett and Rhea Noumair
May 4, 2024
The Saturday cast of "Les Misérables" salutes the audience during the curtain call. Various core cast members from Friday appeared in Saturday's ensemble, and vice versa.

‘Les Misérables’ anything but miserable

Liam Barrett and Rhea Noumair
April 26, 2024

The Change-Up: Spring Sports Yap Session

Liam Barrett, Seyun Park and Joshua Singer
April 5, 2024
Cars whiz towards the Connecticut Avenue exit on 495 East, with speeds generally ranging anywhere from 40-80 mph.

Students share favorite driving, parking practice spots

Liam Barrett, Podcast Editor
March 21, 2024

The Change-Up: The Landon Death Lawsuit

Liam Barrett and Elli Karistinou
March 1, 2024
Studying for the SAT is often a significant source of stress for high school students, but former WJ student Alexander Lewton doesn't think Dartmouth's change to requiring standardized test scores should cause panic. "Don’t take this as a sign that like ‘oh my goodness your SAT has to be perfect',” Lewton said.

Dartmouth College eliminates test-optional policy

Liam Barrett, Podcast Editor
February 15, 2024

The Change-Up: State of the School

Liam Barrett, Podcast Editor
February 2, 2024
Pitch Picks books

Pitch Picks books

Liam Barrett and Rhea Noumair
February 2, 2024
Mock Trial

Academic All-Stars: Students shine in club competition

Elli Karistinou, Sara Elster, Abby Kee, Geetanjali Raju and Maya Panicker
February 2, 2024

The Change-Up: 1 on 1 ~ Mia Magone

Liam Barrett, Online Managing Editor
January 22, 2024

The Change-Up: 1 on 1 ~ Cody Herwald

Liam Barrett, Online Managing Editor
January 5, 2024
Many students rarely visit their counselors, forcing them to write bland, unimpressive recommendations. “Colleges aren’t interested in hearing me talk about grades, right, because they get a transcript, they know what a students grades are. So in the letter what they’re looking for is those other things; you know, what is the student involved in, how did they impact the school community,” Reynolds said.

Students should talk to their counselors more often

Liam Barrett, Podcast Editor
November 13, 2023

The Change-Up: Painted Ceiling Tiles Lore

Liam Barrett, Online Managing Editor
November 10, 2023

The Change-Up: Club Spotlight – Sports Clubs

Liam Barrett, Online Managing Editor
October 27, 2023

The Change-Up: Club spotlight – Art & Music Clubs

Liam Barrett, Podcast Editor
October 13, 2023

The Change-Up: Club Spotlight – Niche Clubs

Liam Barrett, Online Managing Editor
September 29, 2023
AP US History teacher Katherine Simmons sits at her desk, responding to emails before she starts grading the recent AP US History DBQ assignment. Although it was a lunch period, technically time for relaxation, teachers who don’t take advantage of the extra time to catch up on work are rare.

AP grader reveals realities of profession

Liam Barrett, Podcast Editor
May 24, 2023
After a long hiatus, TV morning announcements are back

After a long hiatus, TV morning announcements are back

Jona Jancewicz, Online Editor-in-Chief
February 24, 2023
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