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
Andrew Plotnick

Andrew Plotnick, Staff Writer

Senior Andrew Plotnick is one of the Staff Writers for the Pitch. He also holds the position of senior class president.
All content by Andrew Plotnick
Andrew Plotnick's senior reflection

Andrew Plotnick’s senior reflection

Andrew Plotnick, Online Sports Editor
May 24, 2023

WJ’s face off against Whitman in the first round of states

Audrey Ring and Andrew Plotnick
May 23, 2023

Inside the Den: Weekly Sports Recap Feb 6th-10th

Andrew Plotnick and Sanir Byanjankar
February 14, 2023

Inside the Den: Icecats preview for first playoff game

Andrew Plotnick and Sanir Byanjankar
February 10, 2023

Inside the Den: Weekly Recap Jan 30th-Feb 3rd

Andrew Plotnick and Sanir Byanjankar
February 10, 2023
Sports betting is the newest and most popular way of gambling in America with states such as Maryland legalizing it.

Sports betting legalized in Maryland

Luke DeZee and Andrew Plotnick
January 27, 2023
Rockspring Cafe was a very popular spot among students. Often times all of the seating was taken and students would be forced to eat on the sidewalk or take out.

Looking back at the closing of Rockspring Cafe

Andrew Plotnick, Staff Writer
January 27, 2023
The fall JV baseball team discusses the previous inning in the dugout in their fall league game at Povich Field. Though not an official team sanctioned by MCPS, the Wildcats compete against other county and club teams.

WJ sport’s biggest secret: The story behind the Wildcat offseason teams

Andrew Plotnick, Joshua Singer and Blake Bailey
January 25, 2023
Senior captains Ava Franke and Gianna Relacion fly in the air at the county competition at Montgomery Blair High School on Oct. 29. WJ cheer had many stunts that sent their cheerleaders flying in the air at this competition.

WJ Cheer advances to regionals despite Homecoming conflict

Andrew Plotnick, Online Sports Editor
November 4, 2022
WJ cheer excites fans at the first home game of the year. They make sure to get the student section hyped at every game.

Cheer strives for greatness

Andrew Plotnick, Online Sports Editor
October 3, 2022

People of WJ at Graduation

Andrew Plotnick, Luke Liden, Alex Wolfson and Caleb Kasten
June 14, 2022

The People of WJ challenge

Andrew Plotnick, Alex Wolfson, Luke Liden and Caleb Kasten
June 8, 2022

People of WJ interrupt AP exams?

Alex Wolfson, Andrew Plotnick, Luke Liden and Caleb Kasten
June 7, 2022

People of WJ: The Health Fair

Alex Wolfson, Luke Liden, Andrew Plotnick and Caleb Kasten
June 6, 2022

People of WJ 3: Students “Pushing P”

Alex Wolfson, Caleb Kasten, Luke Liden and Andrew Plotnick
May 18, 2022
Enzo Yamasaki standing on the podium after a great fight. Yamasaki has won many matches throughout his jiu jitsu career.

Enzo Yamasaki is taking the jiu jitsu world by storm

Andrew Plotnick, Online Sports Editor
May 13, 2022

People of WJ: Episode 2

Alex Wolfson, Caleb Kasten, Andrew Plotnick and Luke Liden
May 12, 2022

People of WJ: Prom edition

Alex Wolfson, Andrew Plotnick, Luke Liden and Caleb Kasten
May 5, 2022
Sprinter Itay Yanay heads off with an explosive start to the 100-meter race. Yanay has been improving every meet this season.

Track Sets to Make Nationals Third Season in a Row

Andrew Plotnick, Online Sports Editor
March 31, 2022
Senior Jack McGuire goes up for a contested fadeaway jump shot against Churchill in the 2nd round of the playoffs. WJ lost the game 68-55, but McGuire finished with a team-high 16 points.

WJ’s strong season comes to a tough halt

Andrew Plotnick, Online Sports Editor
March 4, 2022
Senior Ari Kefer uses his brute strength to take down his opponent. Kefer contributed to a great WJ performance in this match. WARNING: Image may contain graphic, violent images!!!

Wrestlers pin down physical strains to achieve success

Andrew Plotnick, Online Sports Editor
February 9, 2022
From left to right: Seniors Jack McGuire, Jackson Van Wagener and Immanuel Harper line up for the singing of the national anthem. They went on to lead the team to a victory over Northwood on Tuesday, Dec. 14.

Basketball’s long awaited return

Andrew Plotnick, Online Sports Editor
December 17, 2021
Bardia Hormozi rushes past Churchill's defenders to get to the ball first and take a shot. WJ won the game 3-1 with 2 goals from Hormozi. Hormozi often uses his exceptional speed to beat defenders.

Bardia Hormozi’s long journey to success

Andrew Plotnick, Online Sports Editor
November 16, 2021
The cheer team hypes up the crowd at an away football game. From left to right, Gigi Elizabeth, Ava Franke, Tati Rivero, and Laura Mata. WJ cheer does this at every game and is a big reason why WJ has the best student section in the county.

Funding for Cheer and Poms Raise Concerns

Andrew Plotnick, Online Sports Editor
November 15, 2021
WJ soccer players stand eager on the sideline ready to play as they wait for the whistle against Clarksburg. From left to right, Sammy Gramlich, Dan Avillo, Jose Gutierrez, Will Dash, Thomas Poliseno, Bardia Hormozi, Fernando Ibarra, Nik Avillo. WJ ended up beating Clarksburg 2-0.

Boys soccer undefeated in State play

Andrew Plotnick, Online Sports Editor
October 21, 2021
WJ soccer huddles up prior to the 2021 season. They finished with a 3 game win streak last season and look to keep it up.

Boys Soccer set to make another championship run

Andrew Plotnick, Online Sports Editor
September 27, 2021
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