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
Maya Panicker

Maya Panicker, Print Editor-in-Chief

Senior Maya Panicker is thrilled for her second year on The Pitch as a Print Editor-in-Chief. In addition to writing articles, she enjoys playing soccer and listening to music 24/7.

All content by Maya Panicker
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

Maya Panicker, Print Editor-in-Chief
November 15, 2024

Rodman earns UChicago Outstanding Educator award

Maya Panicker and Seyun Park
November 15, 2024
Kura Sushi's revolving conveyor belt rotates a variety of sushi and nigiri. Meanwhile, the tablet above the table played a cartoon video urging guests to feed their empty plates into the table slot.

New Rockville revolving sushi spot offers one-of-a-kind experience

Maya Panicker, Print Editor-in-Chief
November 7, 2024
Parking permits were handed out on the second week of school and should be hung in all cars parked in WJ’s student lot for the rest of the semester. Students who don’t display these permits will be ticketed and fined.

Seniors air grievances over parking permit lottery

Maya Panicker, Print Editor-in-Chief
September 15, 2024
ASL 2 students on the Gallaudet field trip watch their tour guide explain the life of the university’s founder, Laurent Clerc, pictured in the statue to the guide’s left. The tour guide signed in ASL throughout the tour and an interpreter translated his signs into English.

High school field trips benefit students and learning alike

Maya Panicker, Print Editor-In-Chief
June 10, 2024
New MISA policy impacts freshmen grades

New MISA policy impacts freshmen grades

Maya Panicker, Print Editor-in-Chief
May 24, 2024
Wootton, Einstein troubled with multiple violent threats

Wootton, Einstein troubled with multiple violent threats

Maya Panicker, Print News Editor
April 26, 2024
The class scheduling process is long and strenuous for MCPS administrators, consuming almost nine months out of the year. Although a lot of the work is done at the beginning of the calendar year, several changes in staffing and budgeting occur all the way up until the first day of school.

Why you might not get the classes you want next year: an inside look at the class scheduling process

Maya Panicker, Print News Editor
April 26, 2024
David Nicholls produces the 14 episode Netflix romantic drama "One Day" based on his 2009 book of the same name. The story follows Emma and Dexter on "One Day" of each year from 1988 to 2007, capturing a turbulent 19 year love story.

“One Day” is the best love story of 2024 so far

Maya Panicker, Print News Editor
April 26, 2024
Students listen to Gallaudet University tour. The tour was given by a deaf senior who currently attends Gallaudet.

ASL immersed in deaf community at Gallaudet University

Abby Kee, Senior News Editor
April 26, 2024
Alec Latifov (middle) watches WJ girls varsity soccer battle Whitman in their 2022 regular season conference match. He stood alongside former head coach Joshua Kinnetz (left) and current assistant coach Fumie Takahashi (right) in his 27th season with WJ girls soccer.

Police officer by night, soccer coach by day: girls soccer assistant serves WJ community for 30 years

Maya Panicker, Print News Editor
March 8, 2024
WJ SNHS celebrates their holiday induction party with science themed treats. "One group arranged fruit bites in the shape of different chemical bonds while another group made a 'dirt cake' into a soil profile complete with gummy worms. Another student arranged sprinkles on sugar cookies to represent phases of mitosis. All of it was a little geeky, but in a good and fun way," SNHS sponsor and Physics teacher Michael Willard said.

SNHS returns to WJ

Maya Panicker, Print News Editor
February 2, 2024
Science Olympiad - Neb Mammo

Academic All-Stars: Students shine in club competition

Elli Karistinou, Sara Elster, Abby Kee, Geetanjali Raju and Maya Panicker
February 2, 2024
Ukrainian club vice president junior Marina Preslopsky dedicates her free time to Hopak, a traditional Ukrainian dance style. After touching on some different elements of Ukrainian culture at the first meeting, Preslopsky hopes to talk more about Hopak and traditional Ukrainian music and dance at future meetings.

Ukrainian club forms to raise educate, volunteer

Maya Panicker, Print News Editor
December 15, 2023
AP Biology and Environmental science students examine crabs after net fishing in the Chesapeake Bay in 2018. Students will continue the WJ legacy of Chesapeake Bay field trips with their visit to Smith Island from Nov. 19 to 21.

AP Bio, APES students ready to get down and dirty

Maya Panicker, Print News Editor
November 10, 2023
Protesters crowd the streets in support of the WGA strike against Hollywood studios. This is the eight time in the guild's 90 year history that they have decided to go on strike.

The Hollywood writers strike is over: so what?

Maya Panicker, Print News Editor
October 20, 2023
Montgomery County Council President Evan Glass addresses the anti-hate task force in their first meeting. He was elected to serve on the council in 2018 and since then has been a major advocate of social justice and environmental issues.

Montgomery County Council launches anti-hate task force

Maya Panicker, Print News Editor
September 15, 2023
Fourth of July fireworks illuminate the Washington Monument and Lincoln Memorial.

Staycation? Here’s what you can do in D.C. this summer

Maya Panicker, Print News Editor
June 16, 2023
The U.S. Substance Abuse and Mental Health Services Administration (SAMHSA) established the National Suicide Prevention Line in 2005. The destigmatization of mental health over the years has dramatically increased the number of callers since 2005.

Maryland allocates $12 million in funding for 988 hotline

Maya Panicker, Print News Editor
May 22, 2023
School Social Worker Caroline Kennedy speaks with Pupil Personnel Worker Valerie Toole. A key part of Kennedy's job is communicating with students and staff. Kenndey has sought to build relationships with her co-workers and students.

Social Worker hired to assist with mental health issues

Maya Panicker, Special to The Pitch
October 25, 2022
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