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
Sara Karbowski

Sara Karbowski, Diversity, Equity and Inclusion Editor

Senior Sara Karbowski is excited to join the Pitch as an Equity and Inclusion editor! It is her first year on the Pitch and she likes to write haikus in her free time.

All content by Sara Karbowski
WJ Rock Climbing Club meets to make climbing a more accessible sport for students. During their interest meeting, the club brainstormed exciting future activity ideas such as outdoor climbing. “I do mostly indoor but I love outdoor climbing,” vice president sophomore Sophia Babayev said.

Rock Climbing Club brings a unique sport to WJ

Sara Karbowski, Staff Writer
February 9, 2024
New electives will be available from the next school year. The two new AP courses, AP Seminar and AP African American Studies have especially appealed to students at WJ. "Sometimes I wish I had a fifth year so I could take the electives I wasn't able to fit into my schedule," senior Ziqing Chu said.

New electives enrich academic opportunities at WJ

Sara Karbowski, Diversity, Equity and Inclusion Editor
January 26, 2024
Thai Class Club members fold origami flowers to celebrate Loy Krathong Day. The club started this year and held their sixth meeting. "I'm happy that our members find our meetings informative and engaging. It gives us [the] motivation to continue doing something that we enjoy," secretary senior Fannie Sukhumparnich said.

Thai Class Club creatively shares Thai culture and language

Sara Karbowski, Diversity, Equity and Inclusion Editor
January 5, 2024
Freshmen Nayela Binte Mahmood, Aman Kalsi and Akki Srivastava dress in Diwali outfits.

Photo gallery: Annual Diwali Celebration held at the Student Commons

Sara Karbowski, Equity & Inclusion Editor
November 30, 2023
Senior Fannie Sukhumparnich is one of the captains of the WJ Golf Team. This year, she won fifth place in the Maryland Golf Championship Individual Girls event. "It was nice to see my friends there. Golf allows me to connect with many people," Sukhumparnich said.

Q & A: Golf co-captain Fannie Sukhumparnich’s 10 years of success

Sara Karbowski, Staff Writer
November 16, 2023
“Prevention of illness should be prioritized just as much as treating active symptoms : get your flu shot,” senior Samantha Mouyard said.

Tips and tricks for the upcoming flu season

Sara Karbowski, Staff Writer
October 23, 2023
Standardized testing is one way students showcase their academic capabilities. For the past few years, many colleges and universities have established test-optional policies. These policies enable students to make a decision and reflect on their academic lives.

Test optional policies are beneficial for students

Sara Karbowski, Diversity, Equity and Inclusion Editor
September 20, 2023

War in Ukraine presists

Sara Karbowski, Staff Writer
June 16, 2022
In White Flint, some parts of the platforms don't have roofs. This makes it difficult to wait for trains when it's raining and very dark at night. What are some ways to renovate metro stations?

Are metro stations underfunded?

Sara Karbowski, Staff Writer
May 18, 2022
The inflation rate hit 7.9%, being the highest since January of 1982. "Inflation affects everybody," said economics teacher Theisen Healey. Read to find out how!

How the spiking inflation impacts life

Sara Karbowski, Staff Writer
April 21, 2022
World-famous boba shop, Tiger Sugar, newly opened last year at Federal Plaza. This is their signature drink, Brown Sugar Boba Milk with Pearl and Cream Mousse. It is a must-try drink that will change your boba experience! "I like boba and I think Tiger Sugar has the best ones," sophomore Carol Li said.

Boba shops to feed your crave

Sara Karbowski, Staff Writer
March 25, 2022
MCPS has been launching a number of new initiatives to support the everyday lives of people in the county. But what are they and how do they help students?

MCPS initiatives that you need to know about

Sara Karbowski, Staff Writer
March 11, 2022
A student is thinking about what class she is going to take next year. She is interested in journalism, but the fact that it doesn’t count for any specific graduation requirement, like art, is stopping her from taking it. Shouldn’t all elective classes count for some type of graduation requirement?

Credits should count towards elective classes

Sara Karbowski, Staff Writer
February 23, 2022
Operation Smile Club (club page)

Operation Smile Club (club page)

Sara Karbowski, Special to the Pitch
December 3, 2021
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