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
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
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
Noah Katcher

Noah Katcher, Business Manager

Senior Noah Katcher is extremely excited to join The Pitch as a Business Manager this year. Noah took Journalism 1 last year and is excited to be part of such an amazing group of writers. Noah loves business and took a business class over the summer. He is super excited to combine his love for journalism and business all into one. He is ready to help The Pitch grow to new heights! Noah is a captain on the WJ Debate Team and a member of the Science, Spanish, and National Honors Societies. He also likes to play tennis and spend time with friends in his free time.

All content by Noah Katcher
Actresses Lori Loughlin (left) and Felicity Huffman (right) appeared in Boston court this month as part of the college admissions scandal. Loughlin, Huffman and nearly 50 other parents face possible jail time as part of this bribery scheme, and plea deals have already been made.

Celebrities appear in Boston court as part of college admissions scandal

Noah Katcher, Business Manager
Apr 12, 2019
Earlier this month, an Ethiopian Airlines 737 MAX-8 (pictured above) crashed shortly after takeoff from Addis Ababa airport in the nation’s capital. The similarities between this crash and the Lion Air crash that occurred recently has sparked concerns over the 737 MAX-8 and MAX-9 variant’s safety.

Ethiopian plane crash devastates world, sparks concerns over 737 MAX safety

Noah Katcher, Business Manager
Apr 2, 2019
Students are preparing to take their AP exams which will be this May. This year, teachers have been assigning alternative “mock exams” to students who have opted out of taking the actual test.

AP Exams: not so optional anymore

Noah Katcher, Business Manager
Mar 20, 2019
School Psychologist Amanda Hearn has been working on behalf of WJ for six years. Mrs. Hearn is available to all students who might need help or are struggling with their mental health.

School psychologists: How helpful are they?

Noah Katcher, Business Manager
Mar 8, 2019
A confrontation that took place on the steps of the Lincoln Memorial between a group of Native Americans and Kentucky High School students is grabbing the nation's attention. It has sparked a debate as to who is in the wrong in this case.

Confrontation at Lincoln Memorial grabs nation’s attention

Noah Katcher, Business Manager
Mar 5, 2019
The Grammys this year went to artists from all genres in the music industry. The performances this year were the highlight of the show, as opposed to the awards.

New artists rise to the top at Grammy Awards

Noah Katcher, Business Manager
Mar 5, 2019
Nearly 70 mature trees will need to be cut down in Windermere alone to make way for sidewalk construction, which will only be on one side of the street. Residents are concerned about property value, the environmental impact, and the changing appearance of the neighborhood they call home. This photo shows a lawn poster that is now a common sight throughout the Windermere and Luxmanor neighborhoods.

Luxmanor and Windermere fight sidewalk proposal, residents weigh the cost of safety

Noah Katcher, Business Manager
Feb 8, 2019
Shawn Mendes, Camila, Origins, What is Love? and Scorpion album covers courtesy of Wikimedia Commons. Golden Hour album cover courtesy of itunes. New albums were released in each genre this year, with many of them now grammy nominated. This year new artists emerged, such as Camila Cabello, and old pros like Drake continued to top the charts.

Best albums from this year

Noah Katcher, Business Manager
Dec 19, 2018
The Har-Ber Herald published a revealing article which exposed illegal high school athlete transfers. The school demanded that the article be taken down, but they have now agreed to let it be published. Members of the Har-Ber Herald argued upset that their right to press has been restricted in their case for the piece’s public release.

Arkansas athlete scandal causes shakeup

Noah Katcher, Business Manager
Dec 17, 2018
A student scrolls through Instagram during a break in between classes. Students learned that having a good social media footprint is very important when applying to college or getting a job. Photo by Noah Katcher

Social media, vape video warns young users

Noah Katcher, Business Manager
Nov 30, 2018
Volunteers set up a voter registration tent at a local festival. Political controversies have caused some formerly indifferent people, along with many newly 18 year old youths to sign up.

Midterm elections approaching amid intense campaigns

Noah Katcher, Business Manager
Oct 30, 2018
Students relax at McKeldin Library at the University of Maryland College Park. While the University of Maryland does not offer Early Decision, many students apply Early Action (non-binding) in order to increase their chances of being admitted.

Early decision stresses out students

Noah Katcher, Business Manager
Oct 22, 2018
Olga (Lidia) Talavera, a new math teacher here at WJ, works at her computer while students complete a worksheet in her 3rd period Related Math class. Talavera is excited to be working at WJ this year.

New teachers thrilled to start at WJ this year

Noah Katcher, Business Manager
Sep 30, 2018
The Pike and Rose neighborhood of North Bethesda offers a wide variety of employment options for WJ students. Shown above is Jinya Ramen Bar (on the left), and The Baked Bear (on the right). Both of these businesses currently employ fellow Wildcats.

Wildcats hitting the workforce

Noah Katcher, Business Manager
Sep 24, 2018
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