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
Sammy Peterson

Sammy Peterson, Senior Opinion Editor

Sammy Peterson is a senior at Walter Johnson. He is the Senior Opinion Editor and this is his second year on The Pitch. Sammy’s interests include watching the Washington Football Team, reading, and playing basketball. He’s excited to have a great year on The Pitch!

All content by Sammy Peterson
Some members of the San Francisco 49ers kneel during the National Anthem before a game against the Washington Football Team in 2017 in Landover, Maryland.

Point/Counterpoint: Should politics and sports mix?

Alex Wolfson and Sammy Peterson
June 15, 2021
We should have snow days

We should have snow days

Sammy Peterson, Senior Opinion Editor
January 12, 2021
A free press has space for all voices

A free press has space for all voices

Sammy Peterson, Senior Opinion Editor
December 18, 2020
Has Larry Hogan forgotten Maryland?

Has Larry Hogan forgotten Maryland?

Sammy Peterson, Senior Opinion Editor
October 21, 2020
This is not normal; let’s stop pretending it is

This is not normal; let’s stop pretending it is

Sammy Peterson, Senior Opinion Editor
September 30, 2020
When history is now

When history is now

Sammy Peterson, Staff Writer
June 11, 2020
Illustrated by Sloane Morra

Sports must not rush to restart

Sammy Peterson, Staff Writer
June 1, 2020
Senior Brooke Haines, right, stands next to her mother, Amy Chamberlin, a nurse on the front lines of the fight against the coronavirus.

For one WJ student, the coronavirus fight is personal

Sammy Peterson, Staff Writer
May 14, 2020
Following school closures resulting from the Coronavirus Pandemic, the CollegeBoard changed their Advanced Placement test format, forcing teachers and students to rapidly pivot.

How WJ is adjusting to new AP tests

Sammy Peterson, Staff Writer
April 26, 2020
From IBM to WJ: a volunteer keeper of history

From IBM to WJ: a volunteer keeper of history

Sammy Peterson, Staff Writer
April 17, 2020
Three math teachers have a discussion their department office during third period. When teaches are not in their class, they are often in their break room.

Relationship Issue: Teacher friendships — an exploration

Sammy Peterson, Staff Writer
February 12, 2020

Athletes of the issue: Transfers elevate boys’ basketball

Sammy Peterson and Daria London
January 22, 2020
School buses are equipped with stop signs, red flashing lights and cameras. The driver stayed on the scene after the incident.

WJ student hit and seriously injured by car

Sammy Peterson, Staff Writer
December 13, 2019
Longtime Redskins captain and fan favorite Trent Williams speaks to an official during a game. After a medical misdiagnosis, Williams has not played this season for the Redskins and has vowed to never return.

Lessons from a great team’s fall

Sammy Peterson, Staff Writer
December 9, 2019
Xuhua Lucia Liang assists a student with their work during lunch. Students often come to Liang's classroom when they need help on a topic in Spanish.

From communist China to the WJ Spanish department

Sammy Peterson, Staff Writer
December 9, 2019
The Walter Johnson SGA is working to update its now outdated constitution for future SGA classes.

Taking the government out of the student government

Sammy Peterson, Staff Writer
November 3, 2019
Shortly after Not Your Average Joe's in G-Square launched a new food option, students can be seen entering it during lunch.

Not your average school lunch

Sammy Peterson, Staff Writer
October 11, 2019
Nils Lofgren is a prolific guitar player, who has spent much of his career playing concerts filled with thousands of people.

WJ’s most famous dropout

Sammy Peterson, Staff Writer
October 2, 2019
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