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
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
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
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
Isaac Snow

Isaac Snow, Copy Editor

Senior Isaac Snow is thrilled to be back for his second year on the Pitch. He is extremely excited for his new role as a copy editor.

All content by Isaac Snow
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
The Ice Cats are gaining momentum heading into the second half of their season.

WJ hockey rolling into second half of season

Zachary Meyers and Isaac Snow
Jan 28, 2020
Junior Jake Griffin attempts a putt on his way to the state championship title. Griffin became the first WJ golfer to ever win the individual state championship.

Jake Griffin rewrites history at states

Isaac Snow, Copy Editor
Dec 7, 2019
Sophomore Justin Davids has been a key part of the team this year, even as an underclassmen. The future of WJ hockey looks bright.

Hockey hits first stride

Isaac Snow and Zachary Meyers
Dec 6, 2019
WJ golf is on their way to the state championships! The five-man team placed high enough at districts to qualify for states.

Golf goes back to states

Isaac Snow, Copy Editor
Oct 31, 2019
Illustration by Nora Talbott

Pledge of Allegiance Point-Counterpoint

Isaac Snow and Matt Roman
Oct 3, 2019
ESPN anchors debate current topics in sports. More and more people now have access to sports coverage via television and the internet.

The new age of sports viewership

Isaac Snow, Staff Writer
May 22, 2018
Senior captain Ashley Smith runs down the field, looking to go on the offensive. Girls lacrosse is off to a great start in the playoffs, winning both games so far against Einstein and Churchill.

Girls Lacrosse concludes season with strong run in playoffs

Isaac Snow, Staff Writer
May 22, 2018
Composer and star of Hamilton Lin-Manuel Miranda. Miranda wrote and later starred as Hamilton.

Hamilton comes to the Kennedy Center

Isaac Snow, Staff Writer
Apr 26, 2018
Junior Rodrigo Yepez-Lopez is a star cross-country, indoor track and coed track runner.

Q and A with WJ athlete Rodrigo Yepez-Lopez

Isaac Snow, Staff Writer
Apr 26, 2018
Junior Claire Mallory in action against Whitman. WJ lost that game however, 12-7. Photo courtesy of Lifetouch Studios.

Girls lacrosse gets off to a hot start

Isaac Snow, Staff Writer
Apr 17, 2018
The 2018 NFL Draft will begin on April 26 at 8:00 P.M. Logo courtesy of the NFL.

NFL Draft preview

Isaac Snow, Staff Writer
Apr 16, 2018
That's right, they really did win. Photo courtesy of Wikimedia Commons

Catch: Cleveland Browns win a game

Isaac Snow, Staff Writer
Apr 4, 2018
Senior captain Ashley-Kate Smith in action last season. This season, Smith and the entire team are expecting to do better than last. Photo courtesy of Lifetouch Studios.

WJ Girls Lacrosse looks to improve

Isaac Snow, Staff Writer
Apr 4, 2018
Para educator Phil Corddry used to play professional baseball. Photo courtesy of Isaac Snow.

Baseball player returns to WJ as educator

Isaac Snow, Staff Writer
Feb 23, 2018
Star indoor track runner Abigail Green is leading the girls track team to victory. Photo Courtesy of Brandon Miles via MileSplit.com

Indoor Track dominates at Regional Championships

Isaac Snow, Staff Writer
Feb 15, 2018
Star indoor track runner Abigail Green is leading the girls track team to victory. Photo Courtesy of Brandon Miles via MileSplit.com

Indoor Track sprints to success at MoCo County Championships

Isaac Snow, Staff Writer
Feb 9, 2018
Star Clippers forward Blake Griffin was traded to the Detroit Pistons.

Blake Griffin traded to the Pistons in shocking trade

Isaac Snow, Staff Writer
Feb 8, 2018
Indoor track practices for their upcoming meet. The team has been very successful so far this season.

Indoor track racks up victories this year

Isaac Snow, Staff Writer
Jan 29, 2018
The College Football Playoff is one of the most anticipated sporting events of the year. Alabama beat Georgia in the 2018 edition.

Alabama defeats Georgia in the College Football Championship

Isaac Snow
Jan 18, 2018
Annual Kensington 8K held

Annual Kensington 8K held

Isaac Snow, Staff Writer
Oct 6, 2017
Does college cost too much?

Does college cost too much?

Isaac Snow, Staff Writer
Jun 14, 2017
Has baseball lost its cool?

Has baseball lost its cool?

Isaac Snow, Staff Writer
Mar 8, 2017
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