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
William Murphy

William Murphy, Print Sports Editor

William is thrilled to participate with The Pitch for his second year as a Sports Editor. In his free time, William likes to watch movies and play sports.

All content by William Murphy
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

William Murphy, Print Sports Editor
November 20, 2024
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

William Murphy, Print Sports Editor
November 15, 2024
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

William Murphy, Print Sports Editor
November 15, 2024
Junior Wilson Faucette cycles in a race as a part of the USA Cyclocross series. Faucette has had an impressive season and will be competing in nationals in December. (Courtesy Wilson Faucette)

Pedal to the medal: Faucette, Gentry cycle around Bethesda

William Murphy, Print Sports Editor
November 15, 2024
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

Seth Stein, Online Sports Editor
November 15, 2024
Junior Tauren Sirleaf celebrates with his teammates after scoring a touchdown. Although the Wildcats were able to get on the board, it wasn't enough as the Warriors trampled the Cats 47-19. "We didn't come out with the right attitude the whole game, " senior Lloyd Erim said. "Obviously Sherwood is a good team but we believe we're also a good team."

Photo gallery: Football senior night

William Murphy, Print Sports Editor
October 30, 2024
Senior WR Joshua Koenick runs with the ball in the homecoming game against Wheaton. Koenick was a major playmaker in the absence of wide receivers Devin Markert and Ryan Gardner as the Wildcats took down the Knights. (Courtesy Spencer Robinson)

Wildcats come home with win against Wheaton

William Murphy, Print Sports Editor
October 24, 2024
Senior Jonathon Fisher lunges at a fumble in the first quarter of a game vs. Richard Montgomery. The play ended up being a major momentum shifter as the Cats' offense went on to score from the recovery.

Wildcat football runs into 2-2 season

William Murphy, Print Sports Editor
October 4, 2024
Junior Daniel Gershon gives a pep talk to Dylan Byrd during the B-CC game last year. Gershon and Byrd were great teammates last season but the star running back recently transferred to Whitman, and will be facing off against Gershon in the Thursday night game.

WJ football set to face former teammate

William Murphy, Print Sports Editor
September 19, 2024

Barons hold Cats in final minutes

William Murphy and Aviva Katz
September 10, 2024
The Wildcats make a statement entrance as they prepare to take on Richard Montgomery. WJ would go on to win the game 53-22.

Fall Sports Previews

September 6, 2024
The Oreos have been a classic cookie for generations but which one is the best one? Out of all the different fillings, is there one that stands alone? (Courtesy nicoleleec via Wikimedia Commons)

How much stuf is too much stuff?

William Murphy, Print Sports Editor
June 12, 2024
Students sit in rows for very extensive hours as they take exams. This is a common scene all across the US, however in MCPS this sight cannot be found. (Courtesy Pexels)

Point/Counterpoint: Should there be final exams?

William Murphy and Ian Alves
June 10, 2024
Tipping culture has inflated out of control

Tipping culture has inflated out of control

William Murphy, Print Sports Editor
May 24, 2024
Junior Elsa Santighian cradles the ball down the field as Kristina Einberg attempts to retrieve the ball. The Cats had a tough loss of 11-7 to the Whitman Vikings.

Vikings pounce on Cats in regional finals

Lily Tapparo, Senior Sports Editor
May 21, 2024
LIVE: Boys' lacrosse takes on Churchill HS in regional semifinal

LIVE: Boys’ lacrosse takes on Churchill HS in regional semifinal

Seyun Park, Joshua Singer and William Murphy
May 10, 2024
Dune: Part Two features an impressive cast including Timothee Chalomet, Zendaya, Austin Butler and Christopher Walken. Dune: Part Two is the second half of the movie series based off the bestselling book Dune. (Courtesy IMBD)

Denis Villenueve concocts a thrilling rollercoaster of a movie in Dune: Part Two

William Murphy, Photography Editor
April 24, 2024
Donta Scott jumps for the opening tip-off from Maryland vs. Minnesota in College Park, Maryland. Scott averaged 11 points for the Terps this year but that wasn't enough as the Terps fell to a 16-17 record. (Courtesy Patrick Rouin via Wikimedia Commons)

Maryland Basketball travels into a disappointing season

William Murphy, Photography Editor
March 21, 2024
Senior Sidney Scale promposes during the spring pep rally to his girlfriend after the male pops performance. "I was really surprised and kind of like nervous but it ended up being really good so I'm grateful," senior Maria Goergen Alvarez said.

Promposals spark excitements

Maayan Keren and Michal Shmaya
March 15, 2024
Lieutenant Colonel Benjamin R. Smith poses in full uniform as a member of the US Army. Smith previously was stationed in Hawaii before moving to Bethesda where he now lives with his wife and daughter, Jael who attends WJ.

The life of a Military child at WJ

William Murphy, Photography Editor
March 8, 2024
Sophmore Dylan Byrd rushes the ball on a friday night against BCC. With NIL, athletes like Byrd would be able to profit off their success.

Point/Counterpoint: Should high school athletes get NIL deals?

William Murphy and Ian Alves
February 29, 2024
Senior Guard Isaiah Nickelson shoots the game-sealing free throw in the Wildcats' win over Whitman.

Boys’ basketball slips past Whitman

Mateus Bouquet, Print Sports Editor
February 20, 2024
Sophomore Gianna Granados shows sophomore Stephanie Ramirez her poster while handing her a sticker. “I chose this topic because vaping is something very common among teenagers and we should not do it," Granados said.

Photo gallery – The health fair

Maayan Keren, Staff Writer
February 1, 2024
Sophomore Ethan Pletter works out at Washington Sports Club. This was one of the last times he used this machine as the gym closed on January 31.

Washington Sports Club closes after 20 years

William Murphy, Photography Editor
January 30, 2024
Sophomore Meher Singh draws a henna hand design as a part of the fundraiser. Along with hand designs, the clubs also put on a bake sale to raise the most money possible.

Clubs band together for Gaza refugee fundraiser

William Murphy, Photography Editor
December 19, 2023
Freshmen watch in the distance as the juniors and seniors face off on the 50-yard line in the annual tug-of-war. The seniors overpowered the juniors on-route to winning the whole tournament.

Fall pep rally kicks off fall sports

William Murphy, Photography Editor
September 27, 2023
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