The official student newspaper of Walter Johnson High School

The Pitch
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.
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
Paper Bridges letter drive to be set in December
Paper Bridges letter drive to be set in December
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
Sophomore Grace Harrington and father dress down in their regalia for powwow. Photos similar to these hang in her house with her father often reminding her of her Native ancestry. “Some people put little pilgrim decorations up on their house at Thanksgiving, we do not do that, but we do still celebrate it because it brings our family together,” Huntington said. (Courtesy Grace Harrington)
To celebrate or not to celebrate: Thanksgiving’s meaning today
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
Cooper Koch and Nicholas Alexander Chavez (left) play Erik and Lyle Menendez (right) in "Monsters." Both images feature the brothers at trial, following their murder of their parents after enduring year of trauma and abuse at the hands of their father. (Courtesy Netflix used via fair use)
The controversy behind the hit Netflix show ‘Monsters’
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 English, math classes
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
A student tiredly walks down a hallway after a school day. Many students feel drained after a day of school, but is WJ the problem?
Is the school the problem? The case for WJ
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
Junior Annie Linkie and senior Anna Kotek run down one of the many hills of the states course. "The race was really crowded at the start and it was difficult to find a spot where I could keep my pace," Linkie said. "Luckily, I was able to run with some of my teammates which always helps with the mental difficulty during the race."
Girls’ cross country bolts over the hills, finishes 5th in state
Junior quarterback Jake Forburger takes the snap from junior center Andrew Corrado during the game against Laurel. Forburger consistently drove the ball down the field, contributing to a 40-13 win.
Wildcats trample Spartans in playoffs
ESOL pumpkin carving
ESOL pumpkin carving
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
What conspiracy theories do you believe in?
What conspiracy theories do you believe in?
The official student newspaper of Walter Johnson High School

The Pitch
The official student newspaper of Walter Johnson High School

The Pitch
Raquel Daley

Raquel Daley, Print Managing Editor

Raquel is thrilled to be a Print Managing Editor for the Pitch this year! This is her second year on the Pitch, and in her free time, she likes to dance, watch movies and hang out with friends.

All content by Raquel Daley
Athletic Standout: Alex Chang Varsity hockey player Alex Chang performed notably throughout his high school career as a four year varsity athlete, playing a crucial role in the Icecats’ journey to winning the state championship this year. Chang has been skating for 16 years—almost his entire life—and playing hockey for 13. Now, he looks to play Division I Hockey at the University of Maine. “Being on any team really forces you to learn how to work with others, help resolve conflicts, and build relationships. There’s a lot more to sports than just going out and playing and that’s what’s so beautiful about the game,” Chang said.

Senior Standouts: Class of 2023 picks six seniors who stand out

Katie Campbell, Nour Faragallah and Raquel Daley
May 24, 2023
Senior Enia Dagnese practices her bar routine. The WJ gymnastics team has been preparing for their competition season.

Gymnastics team secures head coach, springing their season into action

Raquel Daley, Print Managing Editor
March 28, 2023
The new AMC theater at Montgomery mall is open to all. They've been screening the latest movie releases and have planned to instill a new ticket pricing system called Sightline.

AMC ticket prices changing

Raquel Daley, Print Managing Editor
March 7, 2023
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How students celebrate Valentines Day

Grace Willis, Print Feature Editor
February 13, 2023
Sophomore Yahlly Kachlon shows off her favorite crocheted creation. The project was modeled off of a famous Harry Styles cardigan.

Staying in the loop: why do students crochet and knit?

Raquel Daley and Yuval Shachar
December 13, 2022
Adding to the school agenda: Does WJ got talent?

Adding to the school agenda: Does WJ got talent?

Raquel Daley and Ila Gordon
November 10, 2022
BeReal sends this notification everyday to their users. The app has been the latest social media buzz around WJ and teenagers everywhere. Users can share photos with their friends on this app.

Time to BeReal

Raquel Daley, Print A&E Editor
June 17, 2022
Daniels' new film "Everything Everywhere All at Once" is a exciting story that incorporates the multiverse in a never-seen-before way. EEAAO has become the highest rated movie on Letterboxd and received a 97% on Rotten Tomatoes.

Everything Everywhere All at Once enthrals viewers

Raquel Daley, Print A&E Editor
May 24, 2022
Juniors Victoria Rojas and Laura Silva put their handprint on the wall as one of the many activities at the retreat. The Minority Scholars Program wanted to convey the message of standing together as one and by doing that they asked all the participants to put their handprint on the wall.

Schools all over MoCo come to together celebrate the 11th annual Minorty Scholars Retreat

Raquel Daley, Jalen Scott and Summer Laird
April 8, 2022
From right to left: Julia Ratner, Julianna Taj, Eva Griebel, Fiona Galang, Sage Crittenden, Lucy Piemme, and Laura Brager work the concessions stand to support the Unicef club. The profit they earned that night went to the Unicef global organization.

Clubs progress fundraising efforts

Raquel Daley, Print A&E Editor
March 28, 2022
Natalie Wood the original Maria in the 1961 "West Side Story" above the 2021 Maria, Rachel Zegler. Steven Spielberg released his adaptaion of "West Side Story" this past December, featuring the same dancing and singing charm as the original but with it's own unique flare.

“West Side Story”: 2021 adaptation vs 1961. classic

Raquel Daley, Print A&E Editor
February 8, 2022
Junior Ida London shows off her flexibility in her new choreography. She taught a combo in the last dance club meeting.

Dance club spins into action

Raquel Daley, Print A&E Editor
January 6, 2022
Sabrina Lassegue on the set of her upcoming film, “Blight.” She worked early mornings and late nights to make her visions come to life.

WJ alum reflects on her time in the film industry

Raquel Daley, Print A&E Editor
November 16, 2021
Walter Johnson S*T*A*G*E students sit together and prepare for their upcoming fall show. In-person school has returned after nearly two years of online rehearsals.

Walter Johnson STAGE adjusts to in-person this fall

Raquel Daley, Print A&E Editor
October 15, 2021

What music are you listening to?

Nicole Weaver, Josephine Meriot and Raquel Daley
September 23, 2021
Paramount+ original, "iCarly," a reboot of the 2007 Nickelodeon sitcom. Season 1 was released on June 17, 2021, after a long-anticipated wait.

TV show reboot culture flourishes in Hollywood

Raquel Daley, Print A&E Editor
September 20, 2021
Olivia Rodrigo's debut album cover, "SOUR," released on May 21, 2021.

Olivia Rodrigo’s Rise to Fame

Raquel Daley, Print A&E Editor
June 15, 2021
In such a difficult time, MCPS should be priotizing mental health. It's critical.

Mental health in a pandemic needs to be a priority

Raquel Daley, Special to The Pitch
May 7, 2021
Minari stars Steven Yeun alongside Han Ye-ri, Youn Yuh-jung and Alan S. Kim. The flim is nomminated for six academy awards this year.

“Minari’ captures life through immigrant’s eyes, telling the story of a family building their American dream

Raquel Daley, Special to The Pitch
March 29, 2021
Many arts centers such as the Kennedy Center in DC have been forced to rethink their programs. One new innovation is the Digital stage where you can watch performances from the comfort of their home.

Arts struggle to survive the transition to virtual performances

Raquel Daley, Special to The Pitch
January 5, 2021
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