The official student newspaper of Walter Johnson High School

The Pitch
Vice President of South Asian Student Union (SASU) Jecintha Perianayagam serves samosas. "I think it's just important to emphasize our culture, our food, and to be able to share with our peers," Perianayagam said.
Diwali celebration attracts students of all backgrounds
Sources of Strength holds their Peer Mentor Leadership Training in the student commons during periods one through four. "Some benefits were being able to learn more about suicide prevention and how to include yourself more in Sources of Strength and using the skills we learn here in the real world," club leadership officer, junior Avery Bennett said.
Sources of Strength Club strengthens mental health throughout WJ
Members of the Youth for Harris Fellowship attend a Zoom call with Senator Chris Van Hollen (top left). Past guest speakers include Kaya Jones, National Director of Youth Engagement for the Harris campaign.
Youth political organizing blooms approaching election
This New Smyrna Beach rental home, occupied by ASL teacher Kiara Campbell's friend, experienced flooding that overflowed the lake. "Usually her husband and kids can go on the outside of this [fence] and fish in that in that little pond and it almost hit where her pergola is," Campbell said. (Courtesy Kiara Campbell)
WJ community experiences far-reaching impacts of Florida storms
The club Sources of Strength passes out pins and pamphlets reading 'Because you matter' as a slogan to promote positive mentalities and well-being.
Photo Gallery: Mental Health Awareness Week
Junior Sarp Ustundag and seniors Nolan Ross and Taylor White use a net and move rocks to collect macroinvertibrates from Cabin John Creek.
APES students investigate Cabin John Creek
Senior Lloyd Erim works on his application for Pennsylvania State University. Many seniors have had to get recommendations from one or two teachers to meet the requirements of their college applications.
How teachers help students get into college through letters of recommendation
Kura Sushi's revolving conveyor belt rotates a variety of sushi and nigiri. Meanwhile, the tablet above the table played a cartoon video urging guests to feed their empty plates into the table slot.
New Rockville revolving sushi spot offers one-of-a-kind experience
Students in Adam Zeitlin's seventh-period AP Literature and Composition class analyze Act 3 of "King Lear," the second full length text they will read this semester. Students are encouraged to work together on their notes and discuss with those around them. “I think lit is taught better although I don’t like it as much. My teacher, Mr. Zeitlin is very very good at reading and he really engages you when he reads the novels in class and the explanations that he gives are very detailed and help you understand the text better," senior Mia Milicevic said.
The two Ls: comparing AP Lit, AP Lang
Vice President of South Asian Student Union (SASU) Jecintha Perianayagam serves samosas. "I think it's just important to emphasize our culture, our food, and to be able to share with our peers," Perianayagam said.
Diwali celebration attracts students of all backgrounds
Everybody celebrates Halloween differently, and WJ students are no exception. From movies to Markoff's, students make Halloween their own. (Courtesy AglampetGruodje via Wikimedia Commons)
Halloween traditions through the years
An online resource on the MCPS website shows the four core steps for completing the SSL requirements. Groups of students have still struggled despite such resources. (Courtesy MCPS).
Students express concerns about SSL requirements
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’
English teacher Alexia Remy reads Shakespeare’s "King Lear". Her job as a teacher has made her appreciate Shakespeare’s work more. “My favorite Shakespeare plays to teach have been 'King Lear', 'Romeo and Juliet', and 'A Midsummer Night’s Dream',” Remy said.
WJ students share their love for reading
Chappell Roan performing at the Hollywood Palladium in November 2022. This was before her breakthrough album "The Rise and Fall of a Midwest Princess". (Courtesy Justin Higuchi via Wikimedia Commons)
Midwest princess faces controversy
The VMA's is an annual Video Music Award ceremony hosted in the month of September. The award show was available for fans around the world to tune in and watch their favorite artists get the chance to receive many outstanding awards. (Wikimedia Commons)
Performance ranking of the VMA’s
Bradley plays at the Global Strings Program at Berklee College of Music. She learned about several different styles of music and got a chance to perform them live, last summer. (Courtesy Alice Bradley)
Hard work, passion talent compose student musician
The National Collegiate Athletic Association (NCAA) is the organization that oversees all DI, DII and DIII college sports. Approximately 500,000 athletes compete within the program for about 1,100 schools. (Courtesy NCAA)
NCAA roster limits are changing the game for DI programs
The college and career center displays the many different colleges former WJ students have and are currently attending.
Are private colleges better than public colleges?
Point/Counterpoint: Is America overrated or overhated?
Point/Counterpoint: Is America overrated or overhated?
Junior year workload outweighs senior year college process
Junior year workload outweighs senior year college process
Homecoming lacks funding compared to prom
Homecoming lacks funding compared to prom
Senior Hildi Altman and Stella Lichter dress up for Halloween in a Little Red Riding Hood costume and a cheetah costume. (Courtesy Stella Lichter)
Halloween 2024 showcases new and improved costumes
The National Collegiate Athletic Association (NCAA) is the organization that oversees all DI, DII and DIII college sports. Approximately 500,000 athletes compete within the program for about 1,100 schools. (Courtesy NCAA)
NCAA roster limits are changing the game for DI programs
Girls soccer falls to QO in region semis
Girls soccer falls to QO in region semis
The last time the Commanders played wthe Lions was at Ford Field in 2022, where the Lions defeated the Commanders 36-27. "Commanders fans should be lucky they aren't playing the Lions this year because we would defeat them again" senior Pearse Worden said (Courtesy Joe Glorioso/ All-Pro Reels via Flickr).
WJ students’ NFL predictions: the fight to make it to the playoffs
Volleyball spikes past Vikes, advances to first regional final in 12 years
Volleyball spikes past Vikes, advances to first regional final in 12 years
Sophomore Emilia Zhang effortlessly spikes the ball onto the opponent's side of the net. The Cats approached the MCPS County Championship with an 84.62% win percentage. (Courtesy Tyler Shores viaLifetouch)
Girls’ volleyball falls to RM in County Championship
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
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?
Are you smarter than a 5th grader?
Are you smarter than a 5th grader?
As the students work on their final projects, they are also enjoying the experience. “This class is really fun and I hope my pot turns out good,” freshman Giovana Ruiz said.
Photo Gallery: Art Classes
The official student newspaper of Walter Johnson High School

The Pitch
The official student newspaper of Walter Johnson High School

The Pitch
Daniel Leonard

Daniel Leonard, Staff Writer

Junior Daniel Leonard is excited to start his first year on The Pitch Online staff. Besides participating on the newspaper, he is part of the school’s Gay Straight Alliance (GSA) and a lover of chocolate. He was adopted as a young boy and has decided to dedicate his free time to teaching Sunday school and updating his Instagram.

All content by Daniel Leonard
A decision by the school board to combine a regular education school with a special education school has sparked controversy.

A special debate over special needs kids

Daniel Leonard, Staff Writer
May 4, 2015
A single cigarette (left), is worth 40 cents. A basic vape pen (middle), is worth $8. A more expensive vaporizer (right), is priced over $200, but releases a much larger amount of smoke.

What’s in your smoke?

Daniel Leonard, Staff Writer
April 21, 2015

WJ Carnival kicks off Pennies for Patients season

Daniel Leonard, Staff Writer
February 24, 2015
WJ's class of 2014 college acceptances, displayed on a wall next to the counseling office for all to see their wonderful success.

Choosing Your Future

Daniel Leonard, Staff Writer
January 8, 2015

How Okay is Gay at WJ?

Daniel Leonard, Staff Writer
December 1, 2014

Bad Day To Be A Pumpkin 2014

Daniel Leonard, Staff Writer
November 13, 2014
On Oct. 30, WJ students gathered to celebrate their Halloween traditions.

Lighting Up the Marijuana Debate

Daniel Leonard, Staff Writer
October 6, 2014
Bewick in action, teaching in her senior Honors English class.

Spending Time with “Crazy” Bewick

Daniel Leonard, Staff Writer
September 14, 2014
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