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
Tissa Amaira

Tissa Amaira, Senior Feature Editor

Senior Tissa Amaira is thrilled to start her second year in The Pitch and her first year as Senior Feature Editor. In her free time, Tissa enjoys making music, baking, and spending time with her cat.

All content by Tissa Amaira
Freshman Aurelia Withers and sophomore Rey Gutierrez-Micallef discuss one of Withers' costume change. With a smaller number of cast members, some have to play multiple roles at once.

Shrek the musical tech week photo gallery

Tissa Amaira
Mar 31, 2022
Senior Kyaran Brooks poses in front of Washington College banner. “I’m going to a liberal arts college. Being able to combine different majors and not having to stick to one path is something that I really like because I have different interests and I want to study different things is definitely a major factor," Brooks said.

A guide on what to look for in colleges

Tissa Amaira, Senior Feature Editor
Mar 31, 2022
Students of all grades walking to their individual busses. Although many seniors have started to drive to school, there are still seniors who take the bus as their main form of transportation.

Upperclassmen reveal why they don’t drive

Tissa Amaira, Senior Feature Editor
Feb 14, 2022
Internships are a good way for students to develop their skills and engage with the community around them. Many take the opportunity to learn more about what they are passionate about.

Students navigate internships

Tissa Amaira, Senior Feature Editor
Jan 6, 2022
The old WJ building was much smaller than it is today. It used to be located in the middle of a field with cows surrounding it.

Staff reveal what WJ was like in the past

Katie Campbell and Tissa Amaira
Nov 16, 2021
The long lunch line wraps around the cafeteria. Students make use of the free lunch that the county is currently providing due to Covid.

Free lunch creates long lunch lines

Tissa Amaira, Senior Feature Editor
Oct 14, 2021
Students enjoy lunch outside of the school building while the weather is seasonal. "Having open lunch allows for more free [time]" freshman Timmy Gaul said.

Students share expectations for the school year

Tissa Amaira, Senior Feature Editor
Sep 22, 2021
There have been many books that are adapted into movies. Harry Potter is one franchise that is successful in both domains.

From page to screen: books that have been adapted into movies

Tissa Amaira, Online Feature Editor
Jun 15, 2021
One activity that people do during the pandemic is online shopping. Receiving packages from the shops can be a factor of excitement to some, as it gives them something to look forward to.

How a whole year of covid has brought on a new excitement of mail

Tissa Amaira, Online Feature Editor
Mar 15, 2021
Signing up for classes can be a hectic task. The new registration page on StudentVue allows a straightforward process for students to complete registrations.

Students adjust to virtual class registrations

Tissa Amaira, Online Feature Editor
Feb 8, 2021
2020 has been a bad year for the world in general. Many hope that the new year will be better than the last.

2021: a sigh of relief?

Tissa Amaira, Online Feature Editor
Jan 12, 2021
A purple themed gift basket. Not only is it easy to make, but it's also creative and pleasing to the eye.

Gift ideas for the holidays

Tissa Amaira, Online Feature Editor
Dec 16, 2020
Distance learning causes students to experience some amounts of stress. With a surplus of assignments, some people's desks are bound to be a little messy.

Retrospective view of the first quarter

Tissa Amaira, Online Feature Editor
Nov 16, 2020
WJ faculty members pass out meals to families. MCPS has allocated a 75 minute lunch period for meal distributions.

Ways to spend a 75 minute lunch

Tissa Amaira, Online Feature Editor
Oct 21, 2020
Psychology teacher Melanie Schwed poses with her puppy at her virtual “classroom.” Although her teaching is still quite similar to when it was in person, she misses being able to socially interact with students and co-workers.

Teachers’ classrooms amidst pandemic

Tissa Amaira, Online Feature Editor
Oct 9, 2020
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