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
Rhea Noumair

Rhea Noumair, Online Editor-in-Chief and Illustrator

Senior Rhea Noumair is in her fourth year of Pitch as an Online Editor-in-Chief and Illustrator. Other than writing opinion articles, Rhea enjoys playing and watching soccer, playing on the Girls’ Flag Football team, as well as listening to music and painting.

All content by Rhea Noumair
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?

Rhea Noumair, Online Editor-in-Chief and Illustrator
November 16, 2024
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

Liam Barrett, Rhea Noumair and Kaina Sy-Savane
November 15, 2024
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Common slang ranked from best to worst

Baron Thompson, Staff Writer
November 15, 2024
The team poses for a photo before beginning their tour with Johnson. The Cats were given a full tour of the University of Maryland football facilities. "My favorite part of the tour was getting to meet players from the actual team. They were all so nice and we got to take pictures with them," senior Mimi Dietrich said.

Photo Gallery: Girls’ flag football visits UMD

Rhea Noumair and Addie Strbak
October 14, 2024
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Is PDA too public in schools?

Gabby Davids, Layout and Design Editor
October 4, 2024
Many students choose to study independently for standardized tests instead of participating in courses, such as those at Capital Educators, C2 Education or Everest. Khan Academy, an education website run by the College Board, is a fantastic tool for independent SAT or ACT preparation.

Standardized tests bounce back to college admissions

Elli Karistinou, Print Managing Editor
September 27, 2024
Students, especially seniors, respond to the new AP exam no-show fee policy of MCPS. The policy requires those who do not attend an exam to pay $40.

Students shouldn’t pay for exams they don’t take

Gil Gordon, Online Editor-in-Chief
October 4, 2024
School + Extracurriculars + Job = Burnout

School + Extracurriculars + Job = Burnout

Rhea Noumair, Online Editor-in-Chief
September 17, 2024
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Time to break the ice: best to worst icebreakers

Olivia Stokes, Print A&E Editor
September 12, 2024
Twenty One Pilots "Clancy" review

Twenty One Pilots “Clancy” review

Rhea Noumair, Online Editor-in-Chief
June 10, 2024
ukrap

The UK rap scene deserves more respect

Rhea Noumair, Print Opinion Editor and Illustrator
February 2, 2024
Please stop recording and call security

Please stop recording and call security

Rhea Noumair, Online Editor-in-Chief and Illustrator
May 24, 2024
Summer Pitch picks

Summer Pitch picks

Rhea Noumair, Online Editor-in-Chief and Illustrator
May 24, 2024
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Tipping culture has inflated out of control

William Murphy, Print Sports Editor
May 24, 2024
Sophomore Ronan Mailhot (Javert) yells at sophomore Benjamin Kish (Jean Valjean) during the opening performance, “Look down.” The two actors paired very well together, and their interactions throughout the show were fierce and powerful. “A couple months after rehearsal, when they were doing a run-through, literally my jaw dropped…I didn’t even realize some of my friends could sing so well,” freshman Abigail Friedlin said.

Photo gallery: WJ STAGE performs Les Misérables

Liam Barrett and Rhea Noumair
May 4, 2024
The Saturday cast of "Les Misérables" salutes the audience during the curtain call. Various core cast members from Friday appeared in Saturday's ensemble, and vice versa.

‘Les Misérables’ anything but miserable

Liam Barrett and Rhea Noumair
April 26, 2024
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Managing stress with the power of coping

Gabby Davids, Layout Editor
April 26, 2024
Venting about VAR: Technology in Sports

Venting about VAR: Technology in Sports

Rhea Noumair, Print Opinion Editor and Illustrator
April 26, 2024
Students need breaks after long tests

Students need breaks after long tests

Rhea Noumair, Print Opinion editor and illustrator
April 26, 2024
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Conquering confrontation: its difficulties, purpose, tips

Elli Karistinou, Print Feature Editor
April 26, 2024
"Overcompensate" is the first single to drop from Twenty One Pilot's new album "Clancy." "Clancy" will be dropped May 17, and will revolve around the lore introduced in "Trench."

Twenty One Pilots “Overcompensate” with new single

Rhea Noumair, Print Opinion Editor and Illustrator
April 4, 2024
Women (like Ruth Bader Ginsberg) fought for women's rights and made a huge difference in our world. Honoring those women and their outstanding achievements is neccessary.

Women’s History Month: why it deserves more recognition

Lily Fisher, Senior Feature Editor
March 23, 2024
"Combined Portrait" is a self-portrait Bull created out of embroidered fabric. The pink eye represented her mother's which tied into Bull's sustained investigation; portraying female relationships. This piece was featured on the cover of WJ's Spectator magazine Vol. 63.

Artist Charlotte Bull collages her way into success

Rhea Noumair, Print Opinion Editor and Illustrator
March 8, 2024
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Senior superlatives: diving deeper

Suzanne Hancock, Staff Writer
February 15, 2024
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Where did Wildcat wellness go?

Lily Tapparo, Senior Sports Editor
February 12, 2024
Pitch Picks books

Pitch Picks books

Liam Barrett and Rhea Noumair
February 2, 2024
Students debate over the best season to have a birthday.

What is the best season to have a birthday?

Sophie Linkie, Online Opinion Editor
February 1, 2024
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New 2024-2025 FAFSA version launches, causes difficulties

Allison Xu, Online Editor-in-Chief
February 2, 2024
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Point/Counterpoint: Virtual snow days

Rachael Wolfson  and Joshua Singer
February 1, 2024
The 81st Annual Golden Globes was hosted on Jan. 6 to celebrate the best of 2023's film and television. Hosted by comedian Jo Koy, the event distributed awards for 27 categories.

2024 Golden Globes crashes and burns with sexist host, dull awards

Sara Elster, Print News Editor
January 31, 2024
Bad Bunny's "Nadie Sabe Lo Que Va a Pasar Mañana" album review

Bad Bunny’s “Nadie Sabe Lo Que Va a Pasar Mañana” album review

Rhea Noumair, Print Opinion editor and Illustrator
November 29, 2023
First released on Friday, Sept.11, The Continental proves to be action-packed and on par with the John Wick movie series. Despite being a three-part miniseries, each episode was packed with a strong storyline separate, yet connected, to John Wick.

The Continental: How the right soundtrack can impact a TV show

Rhea Noumair, Print Opinion Editor and Illustrator
November 3, 2023
During a joint meeting between MSA, MENA and the Persian club on Friday, Oct. 13, students anonymously shared their reactions to the attack. Many were saddened by the news, yet felt unheard and overlooked by the larger WJ community.

Student groups respond to Israel-Hamas crisis

Ely Snow, Sara Elster and Rhea Noumair
October 24, 2023
Why the Fast and Furious franchise is on the slow track

Why the Fast and Furious franchise is on the slow track

Rhea Noumair, Print Opinion Editor and Illustrator
October 4, 2023
Students drowning in beginning-of-year quizzes

Students drowning in beginning-of-year quizzes

Rhea Noumair, Print Opinion editor and illustrator
September 27, 2023
The AP Drawing students spend the last two weeks of their school year doing multiple bike studies in different mediums such as ink, charcoal and graphite. The final project was supposed to be a collage of the different bicycles put together.

How AP classes wind down after exams

Rhea Noumair, Opinion assistant editor and illustrator
June 15, 2023
Why students still join rec teams

Why students still join rec teams

Rhea Noumair, Opinion assistant editor and illustrator
May 24, 2023
All task assessments during the last week of quarter cause stress for students

All task assessments during the last week of quarter cause stress for students

Rhea Noumair, Opinion assistant editor and illustrator
May 17, 2023
Is "just say no" the solution to teenage overdoses?

Is “just say no” the solution to teenage overdoses?

Rhea Noumair, Opinion assistant editor and illustrator
March 26, 2023
Mock AP Government exam during wellness blocks defeats the purpose of "wellness"

Mock AP Government exam during wellness blocks defeats the purpose of “wellness”

Rhea Noumair, Opinion assistant editor and illustrator
March 26, 2023

As real as it gets w/ Rhea Noumair: What is it like to be a first generation immigrant?

Alison Razafimandimby and Rhea Noumair
March 16, 2023
The petition starting on Dec. 27 gained 7,733 signatures out of the 10,000 needed to remove the bike lanes. "I drive and I like people to have their own lanes. For people to be biking on the sidewalk or on the road with cars, it’s not safe," senior Joseph Khalil said.

Bike lanes on Old Georgetown Road cause discourse in community

Rhea Noumair, Opinion assistant editor
February 8, 2023
Students and members of the Asian American Student Union gather on PSAT day as a Wellness activity, to celebrate the Mid-Autumn Festival. "We had a fundraiser at Poki DC to raise some money for all the decoration costs. As for event details, we had decor, food and karaoke," Chu said.

Shining spotlight on different cultural clubs

Rhea Noumair, Opinion assistant editor
January 18, 2023
There’s no place like home for holidays

There’s no place like home for holidays

Rhea Noumair, Opinion assistant editor
December 21, 2022
Although the horror theme was quickly replaced by sci-fi, seniors already lost the spirit to participate in it. “Sci-Fi wasn’t really the best theme since the seniors got third place for the first time in a couple of years. Nobody really wanted to participate in it,” Gana said.

Administration haunts senior HoCo hallways

Rhea Noumair, Opinion assistant editor
November 21, 2022
To ID or not to ID?

To ID or not to ID?

Rhea Noumair, Opinion assistant editor
October 24, 2022
Students after lunch take the down-only staircase by the English office to get to their fifth period. Although there aren't any up-only staircases, there is a multitude of down-only forcing students to break protocol.

Point/Counterpoint: Should stairs be one way?

Jael Smith and Rhea Noumair
September 16, 2022
Lawmaker walks by recent mass shooting memorials blindly.

Law makers need to change priorities

Rhea Noumair and Mia Magone
June 14, 2022

Varsity baseball ends the season with incredible homerun

Rhea Noumair, Staff Writer
May 16, 2022
Real Madrid right-winger Rodrygo comes on after the 68th minute and scored two goals in the 90th-minute solidifying Madrid's trip to the finals. "It was an insane game, crazy to watch," Sichani said.

Champions League strikes excitement as the finals arrive

Rhea Noumair, Staff Writer
May 9, 2022
The Batman's mask has been worn by many famous actors and the debate of who was the best has been very controversial. After the newest Batman movie, "The Batman", was released, many people's top three lists have changed.

Batman and the best actors that played him

Rhea Noumair, Staff Writer
April 8, 2022
Freshman Sophia Puckett, bottom right, plays guitar in fifth period and enjoys learning it. She and her father both suffer from migraines during storms and humidity. "I really want to learn and I never let it [migraines] stop what I love doing," Puckett said.

How physical health factors into mental health

Rhea Noumair, Staff Writer
April 2, 2022
After senior Sam Grande's hit, the Wildcats got back into the game and ran bases to come back from being down 3-0. Although they didn't gain a lead until the fifth inning, their momentum changed.

WJ Baseball wins against James Herbert Blake High School

Rhea Noumair, Staff Writer
March 30, 2022
Athletes from around the world and from various sports show support on and off their respective courts and fields.

Athletes response to the Russo-Ukraine war

Rhea Noumair, Staff Writer
March 17, 2022
Pick up the pace or get out of the way

Pick up the pace or get out of the way

Rhea Noumair, Staff Writer
February 22, 2022
Freshman and Manchester United fan Zoey Walters checks the upcoming United game versus Atletico Madrid. She has high hopes for her team but expects Manchester City to win the title. "City are a really good team with a really good manager and it helps that they're 9 points clear at the top of the Premier League," Walter said.

Looking ahead at the Champions League

Rhea Noumair, Staff Writer
February 14, 2022
Week 10 matchup from the sports debate club's fantasy league. Every week counts as no one wants to suffer the leagues brutal punishment for last place.

Sports Debate Club hosts Fantasy Football competitions

Rhea Noumair, Special to the Pitch
November 30, 2021
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