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
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
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
The Common Application is an undergraduate college admission application website that applicants can use to apply to over 1,000 colleges. This simplifies the college application process simpler for applicants and makes it easier and faster to apply (Courtesy Common Application).
Common App vs. non Common App schools
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
Sophomores, sisters and Hadestown cast and crew members Kelsee (left) and Kylee (right) Solt-Linville never get bored of one another and can be found socializing together throughout the school.
Acting in harmony: Balancing the demands of school and theater
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
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
Lunch time should not be taken away from students
Lunch time should not be taken away from students
Is trick or treating underrated?
Is trick or treating underrated?
A student's collection of college pamphlets and magazines from universities across the country. Every year, students receive pamphlets from universities that are recruiting them.
The downsides of looking at colleges too early
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
Senior Megan Raue powers through the course with a strong, fast, consistent pace. Raue completed her race in 1st place out of 338.
Cross country takes on North Carolina
The WJ pickleball team poses after receiving the county title trophy. The team tied with Damascus for first place after winning their Division II matches.
Pickleball clinches county title in style
Senior captain Jackie Fuller controls the ball inside the opposing team's defensive half. The Cats rely heavily on their defense to help keep the game close week after week.
Field hockey upsets RM in playoff match
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
Volleyball spikes past Vikes, advances to first regional final in 12 years
Volleyball spikes past Vikes, advances to first regional final in 12 years
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
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
The official student newspaper of Walter Johnson High School

The Pitch
The official student newspaper of Walter Johnson High School

The Pitch
Josh Hananel

Josh Hananel, Online Editor-in-Chief

Senior Josh Hananel is an Online Editor-in-Chief for his fourth year with The Pitch. Along with writing for The Pitch, Josh revels in philosophy, movies, and running for the cross country team.

All content by Josh Hananel
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

Joshua Singer, Print Editor-in-Chief
November 1, 2024

Students pick their brackets for presidential election swing states

Josh Hananel, Online Editor-in-Chief
October 26, 2024

Healthy relationships 101

Olivia Korita, Meher Parsinni and Josh Hananel
October 11, 2024
The entrance to the AMC at Westfield Montgomery. This theater offers some screenings from time to time of older movies.

Re-released movies renew attention to cinema

Josh Hananel, Online Editor-in-Chief
October 3, 2024

Behind the scenes of concessions’ most hectic night

Josh Hananel, Olivia Korita and Meher Parsinni
September 18, 2024
Junior Oksana Vorobiova presents Ukrainian food and drink. "I love the candy, I think it's very sweet with a lot of different flavor," Vorobiova said.

International night celebrates multitudes of food and culture

Josh Hananel, Online Editor-in-Chief
June 4, 2024

Speaking the many languages of WJ

Josh Hananel, Online Editor-in-Chief
June 3, 2024

Chronicling GW’s pro-Palestine encampment

Josh Hananel, Online Editor-in-Chief
May 26, 2024

Annual health fair discovers new ways to tackle health issues

Josh Hananel, Online Editor-in-Chief
May 22, 2024

Art department hosts annual Fine Art Festival

Ely Snow and Josh Hananel
May 7, 2024
The WJ Pitch's bracket league ends in a victory for Josh Hananel. According to the NCAA, over 31 million brackets were entered in the men's tournament.

The highs and lows of this year’s March Madness brackets

Josh Hananel, Online A&E Editor
May 6, 2024
Dozens of students eat in the cafeteria during lunch. The cafeteria has long been a place of contention for eating lunch.

Point/Counterpoint: Eating in the cafeteria

Gil Gordon and Josh Hananel
April 25, 2024
Steven Kerr poses with his homemade Batmobile in the staff parking lot. “We should have more fun with mundane things," Kerr said.

Who is behind the Walter Johnson Batmobile?

Josh Hananel, Online A&E Editor
March 8, 2024

Inside look from the burrito mile

Josh Hananel, Online A&E Editor
March 5, 2024
Math teacher Steven Kerr shows off his Batmobile. He painted it nine years ago for fun after a request from his kids.

Photos of the week: 2/12-2/16

February 16, 2024
"Mean Girls" is a musical adaptation based on the 2004 movie of the same name. The songs are taken from the Broadway musical, with cast member Reneé Rapp reprising her role of Regina George.

Musical adaptation of “Mean Girls” divides audiences

Mia Halper and Josh Hananel
February 2, 2024
"Joker: Folie à Deux" is scheduled to be released in October of this year. The movie is a musical, starring Joaquin Phoenix and Lady Gaga as the Joker and Harley Quinn.

Upcoming movies to look forward to in 2024

Josh Hananel, A&E assistant
February 2, 2024
"Grand Theft Auto VI" is expected to release in 2025 and take place in a Florida-based location. WJ students are excited to relive parts of their childhood in a new game.

New trailer for GTA VI sparks excitement

Josh Hananel, Online A&E Editor
January 18, 2024
"Napoleon" was released to theaters Nov. 22, observing the life of the real-life French military general. Director Ridley Scott used at least four and up to 11 cameras filming large battle scenes.

Historical epic “Napoleon” underachieves in ambitious depiction of military genius

Josh Hananel, Online A&E Editor
December 15, 2023
These are Josh Hananel's top films for the spooky season. Digging either the classic or the modern, there is a movie for everyone.

Six horror movie picks for this Halloween season

Josh Hananel, Online A&E Editor
October 31, 2023
Critical and close reading of the 1949 classic by George Orwell is more important than ever.

Observing the past to liberate the future: Interpreting Orwell and “1984”

Josh Hananel, Online A&E editor
October 25, 2023
A huge film event is close to ending, with a film based on a toy and a film based on a physicist both the center stage. Many have seen both movies back-to-back.

The female 21st century and the nuclear 20th: understanding “Barbie” and “Oppenheimer”

Josh Hananel, A&E assistant
September 27, 2023
Christopher Nolan, one of the most influential filmmakers of the 21st century, writes and directs "Oppenheimer".

“Oppenheimer” brings the story of the moral dilemma over the atomic bomb

Josh Hananel, A&E assistant
June 16, 2023
The inner working of the White House and its personnel are revealed in this fictional action thriller. Secret agencies and corrupt politicians flood the political landscape.

“The Night Agent” tops charts with political conspiracies and mystery

Josh Hananel, A&E assistant
May 2, 2023
Junior Jay Wandell up at bat as he swings and connects with the pitch. Wandell had a very successful season pitching last year and is excited to make it even farther this season. The Wildcats lost their first game to the Blake Bengals on Tuesday, March 21 12-6.

WJ athletics Spring into new season

Elizabeth Finn, Audrey Ring, Raquel Tolin, Sebastian Beltran, Joshua Singer, Josh Hananel, Blake Bailey and Jose Tovar
March 22, 2023
The balloon was spotted over Billings, Montana. Solar panels can be seen on the bottom of the massive balloon which powered its journey.

Students react in the fallout of the Chinese balloon incident

Josh Hananel, A&E assistant
February 20, 2023
The vinyl player has made a comeback, especially with the younger generations, despite not growing up with them. Students have key opinions about listening to music in this physical way.

The return of physical music: Vinyl and CDs

Josh Hananel, A&E assistant
February 10, 2023
Marijuana cookies and candy. The bright colors and similar packaging to normal foods can cause confusion at times with the presence of marijuana.

Lethal edible epidemic on the rise

Josh Hananel, A&E assistant
January 24, 2023
Freshman Jakai Brown presents his Michael B. Jordan 11-12s. "These shoes are nice and comfortable, this black design is also good. They even have noise cancellation. Go pick you up a pair of these," Brown said.

Up at bat: What kind of shoes do you wear at school?

Josh Hananel and Nick Opipari
November 29, 2022

Students share their favorite halloween costumes and candy

Josh Hananel and Nick Opipari
November 3, 2022
The State's Attorney for Montgomery County speaks to all students during a gun awareness assembly.. The concerns of the community were addressed by State Attorney John McCarthy and other officials.

Students opinions split on gun violence assembly

Josh Hananel, A&E Assistant Editor
October 17, 2022

Freshmen horror stories

Josh Hananel, Assitant A&E Editor
September 27, 2022
Bob Odenkirk plays the character Jimmy McGill, who later becomes Saul Goodman. Odenkirk has stated in an interview that the sixth season is going to be "bloody and painful."

Better Call Saul’s mind blowing mid-season finale

Josh Hananel, A&E assistant
June 16, 2022
Lamar performs on tour in 2017 for his album released that year, "DAMN." It is presumable that concerts will continue soon synchronous with the new album.

The gravity of Kendrick Lamar’s “Mr. Morale and the Big Steppers”

Josh Hananel, Staff Writer
May 16, 2022
The increase of school shootings within the last decade have led to more lockdown drills being implemented across the country. Are these drills really crucial to school safety?

What do students think about the importance of lockdown drills?

Josh Hananel, Staff Writer
April 5, 2022
Kim Kardashian and Kanye West at the red carpet of the 2019 Met Gala. Kim filed for divorce in January 2021. This photo was taken during a seemingly stable five-year relationship.

What is happening with Kanye West?

Josh Hananel, Staff Writer
March 7, 2022
Lamb Club continues to make memorable connections

Lamb Club continues to make memorable connections

Josh Hananel, Special to the Pitch
November 22, 2021
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