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
Meron Berhe

Meron Berhe, Podcast Editor

This is senior Meron Berhe’s second year on The Pitch, and her first year as Podcast Editor. In her free time, she likes to read books and watch terrible reality television.

All content by Meron Berhe

Rants and Bants: Last thoughts

Meron Berhe
May 21, 2022
Photo courtesy of Lifetouch

Meron Berhe’s senior reflection

Meron Berhe, Podcast Editor
May 20, 2022

Interviewing the class of 2023 SGA officers

Liann Keren, Meron Berhe and Nicole Weaver
May 16, 2022

Rants and Bants: What happened at the Oscars?

Meron Berhe, Podcast Editor
April 4, 2022

Rants and Bants: Feminism is whitewashed

Meron Berhe, Podcast Editor
March 31, 2022
"Today Tonight Tomorrow" is a classic contemporary ya romance perfect for fans of "The Hating Game."

Pitch Book Club: Today Tonight Tomorrow

Zsuzsanna Juhasz, Aya Hesham, Meron Berhe and Cyiza Andemambika
March 29, 2022

Rants and Bants: Mental health in the black community

Meron Berhe, Podcast Editor
March 25, 2022

Rants and Bants: POC portrayal in the media

Meron Berhe, Podcast Editor
March 5, 2022
"Gods of Jade and Shadow" is a historical fantasy novel by Silvia Moreno-Garcia who became a renowned novelist with her book "Mexican Gothic" published in mid-2020.

Pitch Book Club: Gods of Jade and Shadow

Cyiza Andemambika, Aya Hesham, Stella Hadamer and Meron Berhe
December 20, 2021

Rants and Bants: Adele’s 30 Review

Meron Berhe, Podcast Editor
December 10, 2021

Rants and Bants: Stop romanticizing the British royal family

Meron Berhe, Podcast Editor
November 30, 2021

Rants and Bants: Avatar the Last Airbender

Meron Berhe, Podcast Editor
November 10, 2021
In addition to "The Guest List," The Pitch also suggests you try out some of these books. Perfect for Halloween, these spooky stories will delight any mystery or thriller fan!

Pitch Book Club: The Guest List

Meron Berhe, Cyiza Andemambika, Aya Hesham and Stella Hadamer
October 30, 2021

Rants and Bants: Grey’s Anatomy

Meron Berhe, Podcast Editor
October 21, 2021

Rants and Bants: Should TV shows last more than a few seasons?

Meron Berhe, Podcast Editor
October 11, 2021

Rants and Bants: Why should book adaptations never exist?

Meron Berhe, Podcast Editor
September 24, 2021
The Pitch Book Club's September read was "The Inheritance Games" by Jennifer Lynn Barnes. This is an exciting YA mystery that fans of "Knives Out" will really enjoy!

Pitch Book Club: The Inheritance Games

Meron Berhe, Stella Hadamer, Aya Hesham and Cyiza Andemambika
September 22, 2021

Episode 1: Out of the Box

Meron Berhe, Staff Writer
April 22, 2021
AAVE isn't Gen Z slang

AAVE isn’t Gen Z slang

Meron Berhe, Staff Writer
January 14, 2021
Why misleading information on social media should be a bigger problem

Why misleading information on social media should be a bigger problem

Meron Berhe, Staff Writer
November 9, 2020
How Tiktok reduces the meaning of songs

How Tiktok reduces the meaning of songs

Meron Berhe, Staff Writer
November 6, 2020
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