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
Chelsea Laurik

Chelsea Laurik, Print Feature Editor

Chelsea is a senior excited for her second year on the Pitch staff. She also sings with the Madrigals, is co leader of the all female acapella group Vanilla, a member of the Mock Trial team, and is involved in WJ STAGE.

All content by Chelsea Laurik
Netflix's fantasy series Shadow and Bone, based off of Leigh Bardugo's book series of the same name released in April. The series was a massive hit and garnered over a billion streaming minutes in the first week it was released.

Netflix’s Shadow and Bone immerses viewers into the Grishaverse

Chelsea Laurik and Cyiza Andemambika
Jun 8, 2021
Senior Emelia Isola and her friends didn't let the pandemic stop them from doing prom traditions. The group took photos in front of the monuments, just like so many before them.

Seniors engage in alternative proms

Chelsea Laurik, Print Feature Editor
Jun 1, 2021
The new Netlix film The Dig follows the archeological efforts to uncover the Anglo Saxon burial mounds at Sutton Hoo. Pictured is one of the most significant discoveries of the site, an Anglo Saxon King's helmet.

The Dig takes a few too many creative liberties with history

Chelsea Laurik, Print Feature Editor
Apr 19, 2021
Bridgerton has become a welcome source of Regency escapism during this difficult time. Senior Rebecca Bennet and her cat Bean enjoy watching the show together while knitting.

Bridgerton: all the drama of Gossip Girl, but with corsets

Chelsea Laurik, Print Feature Editor
Feb 28, 2021
Taylor Swift released her ninth studio album, Evermore, on December 11, 2020.

Taylor Swift’s second surprise album doesn’t disappoint

Chelsea Laurik and Emma Saltzman
Jan 12, 2021
Quarantine has left many teens with nothing better to do than scroll through tiktok for hours on end. As a result, some are feeling nostalgic for tiktok trends that were popular less than a year ago.

TikTok teens experience premature nostalgia

Chelsea Laurik, Print Feature Editor
Jan 4, 2021
After the success of Stranger Things, many were eager to see what Millie Bobby Brown would do next. Netflix's Enola Holmes gives Brown an opportunity to shine like never before.

Enola Holmes is a pleasant surprise

Chelsea Laurik, Print Feature Editor
Oct 29, 2020
Best Buddies first went online last spring after the pandemic hit. Since then, they've introduced a variety of virtual activities to keep their community active.

Clubs during Covid times

Chelsea Laurik, Print Feature Editor
Sep 30, 2020
State government is often overlooked, but local officials have the capacity to foster meaningful change. In the Maryland House of Delegates, representatives debate ways to reform police departments in the state.

What’s being done to end police violence in Maryland? Hear from a State Delegate

Chelsea Laurik, Staff Writer
Jun 12, 2020
It is a common misconception that people can only enjoy classic literature OR modern works and not both. Take this summer to mix it up a bit and try some books that you may not normally pick up.

Pitch’s looks at must-read books

Stella Hadamer and Chelsea Laurik
Jun 11, 2020
Quarantine is making me revert to my middle school self

Quarantine is making me revert to my middle school self

Chelsea Laurik, Staff Writer
May 28, 2020
In these lonely times, friends are staying connected through zoom. Pictured is a group of WJ juniors making the most of technology in order to catch up.

Fun Zoom activities

Chelsea Laurik, Staff Writer
May 14, 2020

How to make a coronavirus mask

Chelsea Laurik, Staff writer
Apr 22, 2020
"I'm excited to travel and explore a new country with my friends and Ms. Muehl." -Anna Voit, 12

WJ plans to globe-trot this spring break

Chelsea Laurik, Staff Writer
Mar 5, 2020
The 2020 Oscars surprised audiences with historical wins. However, we still have a ways to go in terms of diversity.

The 2020 Oscars are a mixed bag

Chelsea Laurik, Staff Writer
Feb 20, 2020
Seniors Meghan Rinehart, Geneva Smith and Leah Bregman (left to right) hard at work planning this year's Bachelors event. The fundraiser hopes to raise money for Pennies for Patients through date auctions.

WJ Bachelors is back

Chelsea Laurik, Staff Writer
Feb 7, 2020
Little Women is the second film directed by actress/director Greta Gerwig. It comes soon after the success of her directorial debut, Ladybird, for which she was nominated for an Oscar.

Greta Gerwig’s Little Women is a feminist triumph

Chelsea Laurik, Staff Writer
Jan 17, 2020
On December 13, 2019 Harry Styles released his sophomore album, Fine Line. The record features sad songs about an emotional breakup and upbeat tunes about love and rejoicing in kindness.

Fine Line album review

Cyiza Andemambika, Chelsea Laurik and Elana Renbaum
Jan 8, 2020
Couples dance while jazz band plays their favorite tunes. Meanwhile, students chat with guests and make them feel welcome.

Annual Senior Citizen Luncheon bridges the generational gap

Chelsea Laurik, Staff Writer
Dec 7, 2019
Every April, YAG members from across Maryland meet for the Annapolis conference. This year, WJ's chapter hopes to incorporate more lobbying opportunities throughout the year.

Walter Johnson goes to Washington

Chelsea Laurik, Staff Writer
Nov 15, 2019
WJ junior Becca Bennett tunes in to watch one of the hottest shows of the season. The Politician is an easily binge-able romp, clocking in at only 8 episodes.

‘The Politician’ is a Technicolor Fever Dream

Chelsea Laurik, Staff Writer
Nov 7, 2019
South doesn't let her TikTok fame go to her head. She participates in Mock Trial, Best Buddies and Dive Team.

TikTok infiltrates WJ, brings students fame

Chelsea Laurik, Staff Writer
Nov 1, 2019
Since the company’s creation in 1997, Netflix has evolved from a primitive DVD rental service to a global superpower. Their attempts to widen the scope of their audience through international content is the next step towards world domination.

Netflix’s emerging melting pot

Chelsea Laurik, Staff Writer
Oct 2, 2019
WJ’s advanced choir competing in state choir festival. Though they’ve always maintained healthy numbers, the WJ choir department is bigger this year than ever before.

Choir is booming

Chelsea Laurik, Staff Writer
Sep 29, 2019
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