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
The college and career center there are many pamphlets on college information and SAT/ACT prep. Within the center is Mrs. Evans' office, she can help answer some questions one may have about the next steps
The benefits of college visits
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
Students give their thoughts on the fall play
Students give their thoughts on the fall play
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
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 Grant Levins sprints down the track. "I'm here to try out because I love the sport of track and field and I'm working on my 800 [meter] time. Just trying to get better," Levins said.
Photo Gallery: Friday winter track tryouts
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
Washington Capitals captain and forward Alex Ovechkin tracks the puck while Colorado Avalanche defenseman Bowen Byram skates behind him getting ready to defend. Both teams are competing for playoff spots this season. (Courtesy Brian Murphy via Wikimedia Commons)
WJ hockey players discuss Capitals’ strong start
Students give their thoughts on the fall play
Students give their thoughts on the fall play
ASL 2 students eat at Mozzeria, a deaf- owned restraunt. Students practiced their signing with the deaf employees to order their food and drinks.
Photo Gallery: ASL Gallaudet Field Trip
Junior Grant Levins sprints down the track. "I'm here to try out because I love the sport of track and field and I'm working on my 800 [meter] time. Just trying to get better," Levins said.
Photo Gallery: Friday winter track tryouts
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
The official student newspaper of Walter Johnson High School

The Pitch
The official student newspaper of Walter Johnson High School

The Pitch
Sloane Morra

Sloane Morra, Online A&E Editor and Cartoonist/Illustrator

This is senior Sloane Morra’s second year working on The Pitch. She is excited to not only be working as an A&E editor this year but also as an illustrator. Sloane can’t wait to work with this year’s amazing staff.

All content by Sloane Morra
Sloane Morra's Senior Reflection

Sloane Morra’s Senior Reflection

Sloane Morra, Online A&E Editor/Cartoonist
Jun 15, 2021
The birth of comfort movies during the pandemic has allowed students to feel a sense of familiarity during a time of such change.

Comfort movies during covid in the past year

Sloane Morra, Online A&E Editor/Cartoonist
Mar 31, 2021
The dark side of Women's History Month

The dark side of Women’s History Month

Sloane Morra, Online A&E Editor/Cartoonist
Mar 25, 2021
Senior Hannah Sarnowski goes for a shot during a WJ Basketball game. Sarnowski wishes she could have one last season with her team.

Senior athletes greatest team moments and memories

Sloane Morra, Online A&E Editor/Cartoonist
Mar 15, 2021
TikTok’s “What I Eat in a Day” videos are harmful

TikTok’s “What I Eat in a Day” videos are harmful

Sloane Morra, Online A&E Editor/Cartoonist
Jan 26, 2021
From room decor inspiration to healthy recipe ideas, Pinterest is the place for everything DIY. Many students are loving the versatility of the app.

Pinterest makes a comeback

Sloane Morra, Online A&E Editor/Cartoonist
Jan 5, 2021
During these times, it is not only important that the food we choose to purchase taste good, but also that there are covid-safe pickup options. These three restaurants are examples of great restaurants with sanitary take out practices.

Best restaurants in the area that offer covid-safe takeout

Sloane Morra, Online A&E Editor/Cartoonist
Nov 15, 2020
With the new school year starting, on top of everything else that is going on in the world, it is crucial that we all check in on and support each other.

A guide to mental health during online schooling

Sloane Morra, Online A&E Editor/Cartoonist
Sep 30, 2020
Physics instructor Amy Vary makes face masks with her mother-in-law to give to her community. Vary made the batch pictured for her neighborhood elementary school's families.

Photo Gallery: What are teachers up to?

Sloane Morra
May 21, 2020
Students may not be able to go places or see others right now, but they are still finding ways to express their unique styles from the comfort of their own homes.

Spring fashion trends: Quarantine Edition

Sloane Morra, Staff Writer
May 17, 2020
Just because everyone is stuck inside, does not mean that you have to just sit at home and watch TV all day. This quarantine is a perfect opportunity to take up a hobby or try something new.

30 things to do when bored in quarantine

Sloane Morra, Staff Writer
Apr 17, 2020
International Women's Day is a celebration of the social, economic, cultural and political achievements of women. It is also a call for gender equality worldwide.

WJ students celebrate International Women’s Day

Sloane Morra, Staff Writer
Mar 4, 2020
Pop star Taylor Swift sings a song off her 2012 album, Red, on her 2013-2014 tour, The Red Tour. The Red Tour is one of many of Swift's tours that the Netflix documentary Miss Americana covers.

Netflix’s Miss Americana gives a look into Taylor Swift’s personal life

Sloane Morra, Staff Writer
Feb 25, 2020
As we unlock our smartphones everyday, we enter a world of consuming other people's content and lives. The constant need to be on our cellphones takes us away from living in the present,

Relationships with phones can be toxic in people’s lives

Sloane Morra, Staff Writer
Feb 13, 2020
Greenberg performs at Union Stage with Middleway Music Studio in her second concert ever back in November. Although she had some pre-show nerves, Greenberg felt happy with her performance.

Ellie Greenberg hits the stage with success

Sloane Morra, Staff Writer
Jan 18, 2020
A conversation with no words, just emojis as become a common trend these days. With eight categories of emoticons, anything you want to say can be said in emojis.

The dangers of overusing emojis

Sloane Morra, Staff Writer
Dec 7, 2019
Between schoolwork, sports, extracurriculars, and their social lives, students barely have time to take a break these days. It is important that time is allocated for them to just relax.

Why wellness activities are unhelpful

Sloane Morra, Staff Writer
Dec 4, 2019
Senior Gwen Rodriquez gets her blood taken by an Inova doctor. Inova has been taking WJ blood donations for a number of years.

WJ participates in annual blood drive

Lucas Gillespie and Sloane Morra
Nov 15, 2019
Students walk through the Giant parking lot during lunch time. Teachers warned students to be cautious when crossing.

Dangerous Giant parking lot causes safety concerns

Sloane Morra, Staff Writer
Nov 3, 2019

SGA spreads school spirit at fall pep rally

Lily Salvatore and Sloane Morra
Oct 10, 2019
Only a small portion of WJ students regularly see fellow students using recycling bins.

Does WJ recycle?

Sloane Morra, Staff Writer
Sep 28, 2019

New restaurants headed to Wildwood this summer

Sloane Morra, Staff Writer
Jun 11, 2019
One of the most popular summer foods is watermelon. The light and tasty snack is refreshing anytime, whether relaxing on the beach or hanging out at cookouts with family and friends.

Tastiest foods to enjoy in the summer

Sloane Morra, Staff Writer
Jun 11, 2019
The debate between appropriated and authentic tacos has been taking place for years. However, the “American taco” seems to be the more tasteful option for future meals.

Are “American tacos” better than authentic ones?

Sloane Morra, Staff Writer
Feb 12, 2019
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