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
Summer Laird

Summer Laird, Layout and Design Editor

Summer Laird is the Layout and Design Editor. She likes to travel and try new foods.

All content by Summer Laird
Summer Laird's senior reflection

Summer Laird’s senior reflection

Summer Laird, Layout and Design Editor
May 24, 2022
Juniors Victoria Rojas and Laura Silva put their handprint on the wall as one of the many activities at the retreat. The Minority Scholars Program wanted to convey the message of standing together as one and by doing that they asked all the participants to put their handprint on the wall.

Schools all over MoCo come to together celebrate the 11th annual Minorty Scholars Retreat

Raquel Daley, Jalen Scott and Summer Laird
April 8, 2022
"One time I went into the bathroom and this is a common story and I hear like and I definitely not the only one where happened once. But a toilet had gotten clogged and overflowing and the water was going all the way across the bathroom seeping all the way across. That was probably the grossest." Braden Wright, 12

Up at bat: What is your most uncomfortable WJ bathroom story?

Summer Laird, Layout and Design Editor
March 28, 2022
Senior Saige Pasard works on homework during free time in a class. As students continue on into the second semester the workload is becoming a lot to manage.

Second semester brings unwanted stress to students

Summer Laird, Layout and Design Editor
February 28, 2022
Wordle is one the most popular games out on the internet right now. It's so much fun and easy to play.

Wordle has won the hearts of the student body

Summer Laird, Layout and Design Editor
February 22, 2022
MCPS guidlines has updated their covid guidlines as we returned from winter break. There goal is to keep schools open and ensure to keep there students, staff, and teachers safe.

Students react to MCPS’s updated guidelines

Summer Laird, Layout and Design Editor
February 3, 2022
After a successful townhall meeting on Dec. 8, student leaders and faculty discuss the plan for the next one. The next townhall they plan on doing will be in partnership with BCC and their SGA to form a better relationship between the schools.

Student-organized townhall addresses allyship

Summer Laird, Layout and Design Editor
January 14, 2022
Students glance at their college lists during class. During this time waiting for the college process could be nerve-racking so having a place where you can look at all your colleges is nice.

“It’s crazy how fast time flies”

Summer Laird, Layout and Design Editor
December 21, 2021
“My go-to order is three tacos with white rice, no beans, chicken, tomatoes, lettuce with a side of chips & salsa. I sometimes get a kids meal cause it’s cheap & easy to eat & grab. I usually get build your own taco with white rice, chicken,& tomatoes."Freshman secretary Nina Katula, 9.

Students reveal where they eat during lunch

Summer Laird, Layout and Design Editor
November 16, 2021
Seniors Shalawn Pasard, Alexa Cerrud, Kyra Lee show off their tattoos. The three partook in the fall festivities at Butlers Orchard.

The Pitch’s guide to fall festivities

Summer Laird, Layout and Design Editor
October 18, 2021
Students leave school at lunchtime to go get lunch from neighboring restaurants. Many students go to nearby Montgomery Mall.

Not enough space in the student parking lot

Summer Laird, Layout and Design Editor
September 27, 2021
Members of the Red Cross club post about their club event on Instagram. The newfound Red Cross club partakes in many service activities to benefit the Red Cross organization.

WJ club allows teens to volunteer for Red Cross

Summer Laird, Special to The Pitch
November 19, 2020
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