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
Sydney Fraser

Sydney Fraser, Layout and Design Editor

Sydney Fraser is a senior excited for her first year as Layout-Design editor on the Pitch. In her free time, she enjoys dancing, and hanging out with friends.

All content by Sydney Fraser
Sydney Fraser's senior reflection

Sydney Fraser’s senior reflection

Sydney Fraser, Layout Editor
May 24, 2023
The South Asian Student Union offered samples of common dishes in South Asia. "A lot of people came for food day -- it was a success," junior Aria Tahsmabi, one of the students who helped coordinate international week, said.

Exploring cultural diversity: A glimpse into International Week

Allison Xu, Sydney Fraser and Ishaan Ramola
March 10, 2023
Narcan can be sold in the form of a nasal spray or an injection and can restore the breathing of someone who overdosed in a matter of minutes. The drug is available in all 50 states without a prescription but a recent panel is pushing for it to be sold on shelves in pharmacies and grocery stores.

FDA pushes for easier access to overdose-reversal drug, Narcan

Sydney Fraser, Layout Editor
March 9, 2023
Throughout the month of February, dedicated student leaders are hosting events, performing in an assembly and educating the student body on important topics relating to Black History Month.

How BSU plans to celebrate Black History Month

Sydney Fraser and Sammie Cohen
February 3, 2023
Members of the Middle Eastern North African (MENA) club paint a ceiling tile displaying the revolution's motto, "Women, Life, Freedom" written in different languages.

Iran’s fight for freedom: what students are doing to help

Sydney Fraser and Katie Campbell
January 24, 2023
Portrait of a woman illustrated with pencil.

Artist of the issue: Aubrey Colwell

Sydney Fraser, Layout Editor
December 14, 2022
Students from International Club create a mural on the white board for all the things they are thankful for. For students who have just moved to the US, like sophomore Camila Hernandez, this event has shown them what the holiday is all about. “I’m from Colombia; it’s my first Thanksgiving. [This event] makes me know how they celebrate because I don't know anything about [Thanksgiving],” Hernandez said.

International club hosts Thanksgiving

Sydney Fraser, Sammie Cohen and Ishaan Ramola
November 29, 2022
Actor Bill Skarsgård, best known for his role as Pennywise in the supernatural horror film series "IT," stars in the horror/thriller "Barbarian." Skarsgard performed alongside actors Georgina Campbell and Justin Long.

“Barbarian,” a terrifying but entertaining haunted house horror film

Sydney Fraser, Layout Editor
November 11, 2022
Senior club president Sophia Ikeda helps junior Ciella Koe Bi with a lift during a club workout. WJ's Buff Cats club's goal is to encourage girls of all weight lifting experience levels to join.

Meet the Buff Cats club: promoting inclusivity in the weight room

Sydney Fraser, Layout Editor
October 30, 2022
Security guard Kelly McDonnell checks students' identification badges as they reenter the building after lunch. The new safety measures implemented this school year require all students and staff to wear an identification at all times in school.

WJ security department implements new policies

Sydney Fraser, Layout Editor
September 28, 2022
Juniors Maanya Upadhyay, Ella Tzeng and Naomi Joseph protest in response to the potential movement to overturn Roe v. Wade. "I just think it's really important for us to do something right now because now it is pretty crucial not just for women, but for non-binary and trans people. A number of people will be affected by it especially in our generation so its really important that we use our voice right now," Upadhyay said.

Students stand up for Roe v. Wade

Sydney Fraser, Staff Writer
June 17, 2022
SGA president Konchok Chopel, SGA VP Joey Barke, SGA Secretary Tatyana Ramirez, SGA Treasurer David Gardner all pose in front of the shed for the upcoming SGA student elections.

Students question SGA’s effectiveness

Sydney Fraser, Staff Writer
June 9, 2022
"I am going to go to Chicago to visit my family and then my best friend is supposed to come over for my birthday," Melina Jankovski, 9

Up at bat: What are your plans for this summer?

Sydney Fraser, Staff Writer
May 29, 2022
Senior club president Camille Lorillou leads rehearsals for the spring pep rally. They prepared for weeks before they were ready to perform the dance for the event. "There was a lot of work to do and I do tend to take a lot of responsibility and I push people for the pep rally,” Lorillou said.

Music and memories: all about WJ’s APRO club

Sydney Fraser, Staff Writer
May 24, 2022
Students have many options when it comes to picking elective classes. Electives provide an opportunity to focus in on interests like acting, music, astronomy or economics that aren't covered in core classes

Niche electives offered at WJ

Sydney Fraser and Nishi Tripathi
March 31, 2022
Point/Counterpoint: Should high school start later?

Point/Counterpoint: Should high school start later?

Sydney Fraser and Mia Halper
March 25, 2022
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