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
Michelle Kim

Michelle Kim, Photography Editor

Senior Michelle Kim is excited to participate in her first year with the Pitch as a Photography Editor. In addition to editing photos and writing for the Pitch, Michelle enjoys rowing for the crew team and playing video games with friends.

All content by Michelle Kim
Senior Rachel Finn starts her balance beam event, helping the Gymcats score more points to close the gap between the Vikings. "I'm really proud of all of us. Whitman are tough competition and the fact that we were that close makes me so excited for our future performances!" Finn said.

Gymcats face close loss against Vikings

Michelle Kim, Photography Editor
April 19, 2024
Junior Sofia Silberfeld jumps toward the ball and gets ready to set for her hitters on the team. "Setting is a really important part of volleyball and with this new rule, I feel like it undermines the amount of effort that you’ve put in for all these years," Silberfeld said.

NCAA enacts new volleyball rule

Michelle Kim, Photography Editor
April 9, 2024
Team captain and starting pitcher Sami Rosenberg lifts the region champion plaque over her head as teammates celebrate. WJ softball won its region in 2023, a feat the team hopes to repeat this year.

Spring Sports Previews

Seyun Park, Anna Zucconi, Joshua Singer, Lily Tapparo, Hillevi Schine, Mateus Bouquet, Jeremy Silberglied, Elizabeth Finn, Cecilia Saltzman, Michelle Kim and Mackenzie Norris
March 20, 2024
After completing the first practice of putting out fire, Lacroix and his peers are briefed on rolling house, stages of a structure fire, and what's to be expected.

Fire academy shines light on opportunities

Michelle Kim, Photography Editor
March 8, 2024
(from left) Senior Rissel Anog, sophomore Lina Yu, seniors Tebi Diskul, Yashawini Jayakumar and Linh Nguyen enjoy their meal as they chat about the different snacks they're having and other fun conversations.

Photo Gallery: The AASU Lunar New Year

Michelle Kim, Photography Editor
February 21, 2024
The "Rejection Wall" is posted up on the hallway of the counselors office. There are currently two letters, one for a rejection and the other for a deferral. It is hoped that seniors take the chance to know that they are not alone and it's okay to not get into a college.

Rejection wall combats disappointment

Michelle Kim, Photography Editor
February 15, 2024
Loic Nsoga-Mahob (7th from left) stands alongside nine other scholars who have been awarded the Posse Scholarship for Bucknell University. The awards ceremony took place on Jan. 3 and Nsoga-Mahob expressed excitement upon receiving this scholarship.

Nsoga-Mahob off to college at no cost

Michelle Kim, Photography Editor
February 2, 2024
Seniors bind to their top schools

Seniors bind to their top schools

Michelle Kim, Photography Editor
November 7, 2023
WJ Taekwondo club performs a demonstration with senior president Ruth Cho showing advanced techniques and skills by breaking three boards with kicks.

AAPI Assembly celebrates, showcases diverse Asian culture

Michelle Kim, Photography Editor
October 24, 2023
WJ Crew club celebrates the end of their year with an End of The Year Picnic at Cabin John Regional Park. The graduating seniors are both sad for leaving the underclassmen but also excited for their futures beyond highschool. The seniors (top row Baxter Roberts, Robert Hsu, Ethan Nguyen, Ian Shin, Alex Isaac, Nate Henderson, Antoine Fradet, Ryan Frank, (bottom row), Ava Rohatgi, Haley Minnick, and Maggie Berrett all lined up the spoon of a WJ oar as their final gift. "I'm going to miss all my senior and underclassmen friends. I really wish for the younger atheletes to spend their times in WJ Crew with no regrets," Berrett said.

Up-At-Bat – Clubs’ final meetings

Mia Magone and Michelle Kim
June 12, 2023
The seven students (from left to right) Amanda Simesnky, Frans Rejsjo, Daniela Znam, Allison Xu, Yashuwini Jaykubar, Brett Wall, and Jordan Block are at the BWI airport ready to fly out to Orlando for a good time at DECA ICDC.

DECA flies into Florida for Internationals

Michelle Kim
May 22, 2023
Members hold up Korean letter signs that translate to "Korean Language Club" in English.

Korean Language club spreads love for Korean culture

Michelle Kim, Special to the Pitch
November 11, 2022
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