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
Students give their thoughts on the fall play
Students give their thoughts on the fall play
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
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
Students give their thoughts on the fall play
Students give their thoughts on the fall play
ASL 2 students eat at Mozzeria, a deaf- owned restraunt. Students practiced their signing with the deaf employees to order their food and drinks.
Photo Gallery: ASL Gallaudet Field Trip
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
Washington Capitals captain and forward Alex Ovechkin tracks the puck while Colorado Avalanche defenseman Bowen Byram skates behind him getting ready to defend. Both teams are competing for playoff spots this season. (Courtesy Brian Murphy via Wikimedia Commons)
WJ hockey players discuss Capitals’ strong start
ESOL hosts pumpkin carving event
ESOL hosts pumpkin carving event
The official student newspaper of Walter Johnson High School

The Pitch
The official student newspaper of Walter Johnson High School

The Pitch
Luke DeZee

Luke DeZee, Staff Writer

Luke is a senior and a staff writer for the Pitch. This is his second year on the Pitch and enjoys playing baseball in his free time.
All content by Luke DeZee
The new addition of the pitch clock in order to speed up pace of play has been extremely controversial. The clock counts down from 20 seconds to pitch or else it is an automatic ball for the batter.

Baseball players react to pitch clock

Luke DeZee, Staff Writer
Mar 28, 2023
“As long as it's for student safety I think it's alright." -Ian Payne, 9

Up-At-Bat: How do you feel about security going into bathrooms after the recent fentanyl issues throughout the country?

Luke DeZee, Staff Writer
Mar 1, 2023
Illustration representing students stress levels preparing for their semester exams. Some AP classes assigned semester exams to their students this year.

Point/Counterpoint: Do end-of-semester tests hurt or help students

Luke DeZee, Staff Writer
Feb 10, 2023
Sports betting is the newest and most popular way of gambling in America with states such as Maryland legalizing it.

Sports betting legalized in Maryland

Luke DeZee and Andrew Plotnick
Jan 27, 2023
Sledding has been a staple of snow days for decades. Nothing can compare to the rush of sledding down the hill for the first time.

How to spend a snow day

Luke DeZee, Staff Writer
Dec 22, 2022
Seniors chose whether to take their AP tests in the spring. This led to a debate on paying more for college classes or stressing out at the end of their time in high school.

Point/Counterpoint: Should seniors take AP tests?

Matthew Ashman and Luke DeZee
Dec 21, 2022
"My favorite theme was class colors and my least favorite was Adam Sandler day." -Paige Haines, 12

Up at bat: What are your favorite and least favorite football themes?

Matthew Ashman and Luke DeZee
Nov 4, 2022
School lunch has been highly criticized at public schools. MCPS is committed to changing lunch to become better and more inclusive.

MCPS develops new school lunch

Luke DeZee, Staff Writer
Oct 20, 2022
Leo Simpson is a senior on the WJ baseball team. He committed to Radford this August where he plans to play for the next four years.

Meet Radford commit Leo Simpson

Luke DeZee, Staff Writer
Sep 20, 2022
FedEx field has been in the spotlight this recent season with many malfunctions within the stadium. The Commanders hope to step away from these negative connotations with a new stadium.

Commanders purchase land in part of campaign for new stadium

Luke DeZee, Staff Writer
Jun 15, 2022
The NFL draft has been a key part of league since its beginning. This years draft was full of interesting and some questionable moves

Grading the top ten picks in the NFL Draft

Luke DeZee, Staff Writer
May 17, 2022
Washington Commanders owner Dan Snyder has been the owner of the team since 1999. Snyder has faced lots of criticism for his poor leadership and pure greed.

Dan Snyder should be forced to sell the Washington Commanders

Luke DeZee, Staff Writer
Apr 4, 2022
The Miami Dolphins have been one of the most disappointing teams in the 21st century. They are hoping to turn their franchise around with new head coach Mike McDaniel.

Former Miami Dolphins head coach Brian Flores suing NFL for racial discrimnation

Luke DeZee, Staff Writer
Mar 14, 2022
Rob Manfred has been the MLB commissioner since he was hired in 2014. Manfred has faced lots of criticism in his tenure so far and has been under fire lately for his handling of the lockout.

MLB Lockout: Owners vs Players

Luke DeZee, Staff Writer
Feb 23, 2022

Teacher Spotlight: Get to know WJ teachers more

Abigail Kee, Hana Elster, Isabella Weintraub, Alison Razafimandimby, Luke DeZee, Jalen Scott and Allison Xu
Oct 26, 2021
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