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
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
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
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
Ruby Topalian

Ruby Topalian, Senior Opinion Editor

Ruby Topalian is a senior excited to start up her first year on the Pitch as a Senior Opinion Editor. Ruby co-founded her own mental health advocacy club, Uplift WJ over quarantine and loves meeting new WJ students every week! 

All content by Ruby Topalian
Nilsen working at Crumbl Cookies alongside her fellow high school employees. Managers at Crumbl Cookie on Rockville Pike exploited the high schoolers working there for their time and money.

Underpaid, tired, frustrated: the unspoken truth of high school employment

Ruby Topalian, Print Opinion Editor
June 16, 2022

WJ Robotics Team competes in Botball tournament

June 13, 2022

From forklifts to popcorn machines: Meet the WJ robotics team

Ruby Topalian, Print Opinion Editor
June 7, 2022
Living a life of unpredictability: the realities of being a “military kid”

Living a life of unpredictability: the realities of being a “military kid”

Ruby Topalian, Print Opinion Editor
May 20, 2022
Ruby Topalian's senior reflection

Ruby Topalian’s senior reflection

Ruby Topalian, Print Opinion Editor
May 20, 2022
The trials and tribulations of psychiatric medication

The trials and tribulations of psychiatric medication

Ruby Topalian, Print Opinion Editor
April 2, 2022
Senior Layla Pelon has a crystal clean desk set-up for her long days of virtual academy, complete with a MacBook, bulletin board, and plenty of school supplies. Without this space and mugs of coffee (not pictured), Pelon wouldn't be able to get through her school day.

Everything you need to know about MCPS’s Virtual Academy

Ruby Topalian, Print Opinion Editor
February 23, 2022
County's Covid hypocrisy puts our lives at risk

County’s Covid hypocrisy puts our lives at risk

Ruby Topalian, Print Opinion Editor
February 10, 2022
Junior Kathleen Winter and her friends enjoy lunch together every day. These moments help break up the school day and make the stresses of academia and socializing much more manageable.

Students find solace in social groups

Katie Campbell and Ruby Topalian
January 6, 2022
Trump supporters stand outside the US Capitol in an act of defiance over the 2020 election results. As a result of Trump's extremist opinions, so much of his base have been entirely radicalized. Conspiracy theories and QAnon became a large source of information for many.

One Year Since Jan. 6: Storming the US Capitol is not patriotism

Ruby Topalian, Print Opinion Editor
January 6, 2022
MCPS kitchen staff at the Montgomery County production facility spread the love as they produce huge quantities of food to be distributed to MCPS schools. Their work is quintessential to ensuring that all students are fed everyday.

Not quite farm to table: the story behind cafeteria food

Ruby Topalian, Print Opinion Editor
December 17, 2021
A pro-lifer stands on Old Georgetown Road holding a sign in defense of the cause. Protesters like this individual arrive outside the clinic daily and are fairly adamant about making a stand.

Old Georgetown Road “Pro-Lifers” need to stop

Ruby Topalian, Print Opinion Editor
November 12, 2021
Students in this upcoming admissions cycle will not be required to report their test scores; this has opened doors for many students who worried that this would ultimately be the barrier to their success.

Test-Optional is the equitable choice

Ruby Topalian, Print Opinion Editor
October 20, 2021
WJ copy machine sits with no paper as the county experiences a paper shortage. With this new reality, teachers and students are going to be completing most of their assignments as they did last year: online.

MOCO News updates: September-October

Ruby Topalian, Senior Opinion Editor
October 19, 2021
Dr. Katherina Matro engages in discussions with her students about the scientific method of sociological research. The first few weeks of sociology have been spent reviewing concepts that students might've learned in their lab science classes. Students are asked to participate warm-ups daily that allow for reflection into their own lives; acting as a means of connecting these concepts to more familiar customs.

From Ahaus, Germany to Walter Johnson: Meet Dr. Matro!

Ruby Topalian, Print Opinion Editor
September 21, 2021
Freshman Lily Tapparo faces the unfortunate reality of virtual school; reading books from home and taking classes from her bedroom. These challenges have had a significant effect on Tapparo, and all freshman who struggle to find their place in high school without ever stepping foot in the building.

Starting high school in a global pandemic

Ila Gordon and Ruby Topalian
March 15, 2021
The pandemic has altered the way students interact drastically, including the way clubs are run. Emily Tsu is taking advantage of Zoom to try and get her new club off the ground, but it's been a difficult process.

The struggles of starting a club during quarantine

Ruby Topalian, Special to The Pitch
January 11, 2021
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