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 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
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
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
The official student newspaper of Walter Johnson High School

The Pitch
The official student newspaper of Walter Johnson High School

The Pitch
Ben Files

Ben Files, Online Managing Editor

Hello, I am Ben Files, the Online Managing Editor. This will be my third year on The Pitch as I took Journalism 1 during my freshman year. I especially enjoy covering sports. Outside of school, I like to spend time with friends, play golf and soccer, volunteer, follow current events and watch documentaries on YouTube and Netflix.

All content by Ben Files
The team lines up in preparation for their race. Alex Scott (far left) and Adam Morad (far right) have been stand outs this season, consistently performing well in their meets.

Cross country in strong form despite irregular season

Ben Files, Online Managing Editor
May 12, 2021
VAR is used in leagues all around the world. The system has been under much scrutiny due the continuation of inconsistent and bad calls.

VAR’s impact on professional soccer

Ben Files, Online Managing Editor
Feb 3, 2021
&Pizza, located in Pike and Rose, offers easily customizable and fresh slices - or squares - of pizza. One of it's most disguising factors was the stretch of its mozzarella cheese.

Bethesda pizza restaurant reviews

Nyomi Fox, Benicio Balignot and Ben Files
Jan 15, 2021
Seniors Marcos Gregorio (left), Ben Files (middle) and Aidan Carr (right) routinely play soccer along with other seniors on Friday or Saturday nights. The new field allows a great place for athletes to train on their own time.

Student athletes struggle to navigate virtual seasons due to COVID gathering restrictions set in place

Ben Files, Online Managing Editor
Dec 18, 2020
The city of Lewiston Maine has been a hotspot for Somali immigrants over the past ten years. Maine is one of the least diverse states, so the city is a very interesting place in contrast to the rest of the state.

College visits teach students history, culture

Ben Files, Online Managing Editor
Oct 1, 2020
Senior Chris Dorrer chases down a loose puck. The team lost 4-3 but rebounded in their rematch against Wooton with a 3-3 draw

Winter sports in review

Arturo Alipio, Ethan Oyeniyi, Elana Renbaum, Ben Files, Zachary Meyers and Isaac Snow
Feb 14, 2020
Georgetown's high tier basketball team has always kept them in the headlines and at the top of the college basketball rankings. Along the way they have made many rivalries with other competitive teams, such as Villanova, which is pictured above.

Georgetown basketball mishap exposes NCAA’s problem

Ben Files, Sports Editor
Jan 18, 2020

Ravens fall short

Ben Files, Sports Editor
Jan 12, 2020
Producer Madlib teamed up with Freddie Gibbs to produce their second album together, which are fan favorites.

Best hip-hop/rap albums of the decade

Ben Files, Sports Editor
Dec 11, 2019
The team warms up before a game from the successful regular season. The season came to a close after a second round loss to Whitman in the playoffs.

Girls’ varsity soccer ends dominant season with playoff loss

Ben Files, Sports Editor
Nov 7, 2019
Senior Damir Pimenov listening to "Jesus Is King". The album has divided West's fanbase due to its purely gospel nature.

Kanye West reborn, embraces God in album “Jesus Is King”

Benicio Balignot and Ben Files
Nov 1, 2019
Kyle Guy nervously awaiting his three free throws that would lead Virginia to victory over Auburn, sending them to the finals in Minneapolis.

Final four lives up to the hype as UVA takes the title

Patrick Markey and Ben Files
Apr 12, 2019
The Kansas Jayhwaks warm up for a game in the 2018 NCAA tournament. March madness is one of the most anticipated times of the year for many sports fans.

Pitch staff: March Madness predictions

Ned Storer, Ben Files, Matt Shea and Elijah Kasten
Mar 21, 2019
The U.S. military's job is to serve and protect our nation, making this an irregular situation and especially scary for most people.

Maryland Coast Guard member arrested

Ben Files, Business Manager
Mar 6, 2019
College sports are some of the most viewed in the country and attract many new fans every year.

College basketball or football: which is better?

Ben Files, Business Manager
Feb 28, 2019
The Super Bowl is the most viewed sporting event in America and rakes in hundreds of millions of viewers every year.

Super Bowl LIII recap

Ben Files, Business Manager
Feb 8, 2019
The Super Bowl is the most viewed sporting event in America, and is a talking point for weeks after it happens.

Super Bowl LIII Preview

Ben Files, Business Manager
Feb 1, 2019
Alabama football has been the best in the past years, and it seems that it will stay that way.

Will Alabama football ever be taken down?

Ben Files, Business Manager
Dec 20, 2018
This years' "The Grinch" has the same story as the other Grinch movies, but a modern twist in the cast and some minor plot changes.

The Grinch successfully revamps its predecessor

Ben Files, Business Manager
Nov 27, 2018
The new FIFA 19 game has just released, and because of the popularity of other games, the amount of players has slightly decreased.

FIFA 19 Review

Ben Files, Business Manager
Nov 19, 2018
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