The official student newspaper of Walter Johnson High School

The Pitch
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
(Courtesy Maryland GovPics - The Celebration of Maryland Black Excellence Reception via Wikimedia)
Alsobrooks wins major fight for Senate seat
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
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
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
Ely Snow

Ely Snow, Online Editor-in-Chief

Senior Ely Snow is an Online Editor-in-Chief and looking forward to working on The Pitch this year. In his free time, he likes to play ultimate and guitar.

All content by Ely Snow
Ely Snow's Senior Reflection

Ely Snow’s Senior Reflection

Ely Snow, Online Editor-in-Chief
May 21, 2024

Art department hosts annual Fine Art Festival

Ely Snow and Josh Hananel
May 7, 2024
Senior Samantha Mouyard holds up a trinket from YAG that reads "Governer!" As the Youth Governor of Maryland, Mouyard has gained a unique perspective.

Meet Maryland’s Youth Governor

Ely Snow, Online Editor-in-Chief
March 8, 2024
Senior Pierce Goodenow rushes past the High Point defense. The Wildcats defeated the Eagles 61-12 on Friday, Nov. 3.

Photo gallery: Wildcats take down High Point in first round of playoffs

Ely Snow, Joshua Singer and Mateus Bouquet
November 10, 2023
On Monday, Oct. 23, a student was arrested for possessing a gun on WJ grounds. Shots were not fired and nobody was injured, though the act shook many in the community.

Senior arrested for possession of loaded gun at WJ

Joshua Singer and Ely Snow
October 24, 2023
During a joint meeting between MSA, MENA and the Persian club on Friday, Oct. 13, students anonymously shared their reactions to the attack. Many were saddened by the news, yet felt unheard and overlooked by the larger WJ community.

Student groups respond to Israel-Hamas crisis

Ely Snow, Sara Elster and Rhea Noumair
October 24, 2023
The Wildcats make a statement entrance as they prepare to take on Richard Montgomery. WJ would go on to win the game 53-22.

Photo gallery: Wildcats shoot down Rockets in delayed home opener

Ely Snow, Mateus Bouquet and Nick Opipari
September 14, 2023
A student speaks with a representative from Frostburg State University. Long lines and large crowds plagued students attempting to learn about bigger and more popular schools such as UMD and Penn State.

Juniors attend NACAC college fair

Ely Snow, Assistant News Editor
April 27, 2023
Junior vice president Daniela Znam and junior Amanda Simensky present a practice roleplay during the weekly DECA meeting. DECA meets every Friday at lunch in room 110.

DECA succeeds at states, looks to nationals

Ely Snow, Assistant News Editor
March 27, 2023
From left: History Club vice president Defne Ustundag, BSU president Jalen Scott and History Club president Seyun Park welcome students and the guest speaker.

History Club, BSU welcome guest speaker

Ely Snow, Assistant News Editor
February 27, 2023
New technical director Mae Mironer looks up at the system of microphones and lights that hang above the stage. Having done everything from carpentry to lights work in the past, Mironer is well-suited to lead and mentor STAGE crew students.

STAGE welcomes new tech director amid revolving doors

Ely Snow, Assistant News Editor
February 27, 2023
A group of friends sit together outside the gym during lunch. Eating in the hallways provides much more freedom in deciding what kind of spot to eat in.

Veiled stigma: Students avoid lunch in cafeteria

Ely Snow, Assistant News Editor
January 24, 2023
Senior co-leader Norah Mannle solos as Vanilla performs "Rolling in the Deep" by Adele at the winter choral concert. The group is looking to do more upbeat music for the spring.

Desserts turn Pitch Perfect through a capella

Ely Snow, Assistant News Editor
January 24, 2023

Video: Meet WJ’s three acapella groups

Zsuzsanna Juhasz and Ely Snow
January 20, 2023
Main office secretary Natalie Britton works at her desk during lunch. Secretary Britton supervises the class coverage program, which has evolved in recent years to reflect difficulties in staff procurement as a result of changes in the hiring labor.

MCPS strives to overcome staff shortages

Ely Snow and Alexander Lewton
December 13, 2022

Up At Bat: What was your halloween costume?

Ely Snow
November 2, 2022
New S*T*A*G*E technical director Clare Cawley demonstrates to new members how to use a power tool for building sets. “I love being able to kind of start from scratch and build this baseline of organisation, structure and communication for all the crews so that they know, ‘Oh that's how it's supposed to work!’,” Cawley said.

S*T*A*G*E hires alum as new technical director

Ely Snow, Assistant News Editor
October 22, 2022
MCPS recently announced that it will hold scheduled gun education assemblies in all high schools through the fall of 2022. This is in partnership with the Montgomery County State’s Attorney’s Office and the Montgomery County Police Department.

WJ to hold gun education assembly

Ely Snow, Assistant News Editor
September 20, 2022
Students walk towards the cafeteria entrance outside the bus loop before school. This was a commonly used entrance in the first week of school for students exiting buses.

Students tackle first week of school

Ely Snow, Assistant News Editor
September 12, 2022
A view through the crowd of the Mona Lisa on display.

Mona Lisa attacked by Cake wielding assailant

Ely Snow, Staff Writer
June 8, 2022

Q&A with student member of the board Arvin Kim

Zsuzsanna Juhasz, Seyun Park and Ely Snow
May 20, 2022
Whitman junior Arvin Kim won the April 20 SMOB election and will serve as the 45th MCPS SMOB.

Arvin Kim elected Student Member of the Board

Seyun Park and Ely Snow
May 10, 2022
An aerial view of Al-Aqsa Mosque (lower center). Clashes between Israeli police and Palestinian rioters broke out in the morning of Apr. 15 and continued in the following days.

Tensions rise in Israel near important Muslim, Jewish holdiays

Ely Snow, Staff Writer
May 6, 2022
Zhang Chutong (CHN), Petra Rusnáková (SVK), Michelle Velzeboer (NED) and Florence Brunelle (CAN) compete in short track speed skating Final B at the 2020 Winter Youth Olympics in Lausanne. Chutong, Velzeboer and Brunelle are all competing in Beijing this year.

Winter Olympics: What’s happening in Beijing?

Ely Snow, Staff Writer
February 8, 2022
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