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
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
Yael Hanadari-Levy

Yael Hanadari-Levy, Editor In Chief

This is senior Yael Hanadari-Levy’s second year working on the Pitch and first year as editor-in-chief. She doesn’t have any free time between school, her internship and the Pitch, but if she did she would probably spend it writing. Yael is an officer in the GSA and the WJ She’s The First chapter, and is a member of Feminism Club.

All content by Yael Hanadari-Levy
States highlighted ban the practice of conversion therapy. Maryland is the latest state to adopt a ban, responding well to its introduction by the first openly gay Maryland state senator, Richard Madeleno.

Conversion therapy now banned in Maryland

Yael Hanadari-Levy, Editor-in-Chief
Apr 26, 2018
WJ senior runs for governor of Kansas

WJ senior runs for governor of Kansas

Yael Hanadari-Levy, Editor-in-Chief
Apr 4, 2018
Student voices can’t be ignored

Student voices can’t be ignored

Yael Hanadari-Levy, Editor-in-Chief
Apr 4, 2018
WJ students organize national host program for gun control protests

WJ students organize national host program for gun control protests

Yael Hanadari-Levy, Editor-in-Chief
Mar 20, 2018
Discord based on generation doesn’t make sense

Discord based on generation doesn’t make sense

Yael Hanadari-Levy, Print Editor-in-Chief
Feb 26, 2018
WJ evacuates after bomb threat

WJ evacuates after bomb threat

Owen Hananel, Andrew Resnick and Yael Hanadari-Levy
Feb 23, 2018
WJ junior SMOB candidate Drew Skilton presents himself in front of the panel of representatives for the MCPS Board of Education. He spoke alongside WJ representative James Bradley in an effort to change the current regulations surrounding counselor relationships with the students and their perspective schools. Photo by Jack Linde.

Students voice concerns at county meeting

Yael Hanadari-Levy, Editor-in-Chief
Feb 1, 2018
New gender-neutral bathrooms debated

New gender-neutral bathrooms debated

Yael Hanadari-Levy, Editor-in-Chief
Nov 17, 2017
Christopher Columbus should be remembered, not celebrated

Christopher Columbus should be remembered, not celebrated

Yael Hanadari-Levy, Editor-in-Chief
Oct 9, 2017
Should we take AP exams as seniors?

Should we take AP exams as seniors?

Yael Hanadari-Levy, Opinion Editor
Jun 14, 2017
Don't be a b****; vote for the Pitch

Don’t be a b****; vote for the Pitch

Yael Hanadari-Levy, Opinion Editor
Mar 31, 2017
Why the Oscars don't matter

Why the Oscars don’t matter

Yael Hanadari-Levy, Opinion Editor
Mar 27, 2017
Trump's authoritarian behavior cannot be excused

Trump’s authoritarian behavior cannot be excused

Yael Hanadari-Levy, Opinion Editor
Mar 2, 2017
Transgender issues become federal with historic Supreme Court case

Transgender issues become federal with historic Supreme Court case

Yael Hanadari-Levy, Opinion Editor
Dec 19, 2016
The importance of holiday inclusivity: don’t ignore other religions this winter

The importance of holiday inclusivity: don’t ignore other religions this winter

Yael Hanadari-Levy, Opinion Editor
Dec 19, 2016
Hundreds of students from all over the DC metro area rally in front of the Capitol building to protest Donald Trump's policies and behavior. Photo courtesy of Rachel Rosenheim.

DC protests give voice to the concerns of students

Yael Hanadari-Levy, Opinion Editor
Nov 29, 2016
Transgender movie creates casting controversy among LGBTQ community

Transgender movie creates casting controversy among LGBTQ community

Yael Hanadari-Levy, Opinion Editor
Sep 27, 2016
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