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 Grant Levins sprints down the track. "I'm here to try out because I love the sport of track and field and I'm working on my 800 [meter] time. Just trying to get better," Levins said.
Photo Gallery: Friday winter track tryouts
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
Junior Grant Levins sprints down the track. "I'm here to try out because I love the sport of track and field and I'm working on my 800 [meter] time. Just trying to get better," Levins said.
Photo Gallery: Friday winter track tryouts
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
The official student newspaper of Walter Johnson High School

The Pitch
The official student newspaper of Walter Johnson High School

The Pitch
Luke Liden

Luke Liden, Print Editor-in-Chief

Luke Liden is one of the Print EICs (Editor-in-Chief) and loves creating the print editions of The Pitch. He also loves sports, especially at WJ!
All content by Luke Liden
A student checks their phone for updates and numbers for their bets. Online sports betting and other methods of sports betting are prevalent amongst many high schoolers.

Bookies: The underground of high school sports betting

Luke Liden, Print EIC
Jun 13, 2023
“[It was] kind of [beneficial], I don't think a lot of students are really comfortable with talking to adults most of the time.” Clifford Hubbard, 9.

Up at bat: Are SOS lessons beneficial to students?

Luke Liden, Print EIC
Mar 26, 2023
Senior captain Ethan Birndorf lines up for a faceoff against Marriotts Ridge. The Icecats went on to win the game in style, 12-1.

Icecats blaze trail towards state championship

Luke Liden, Print EIC
Feb 24, 2023
The Icecats line up for a faceoff in their defensive zone against Whitman. The banners picturing all of the senior Icecats are hanging behind the glass for their senior night.

Icecats enter county playoffs as the team to beat

Luke Liden, Print EIC
Feb 7, 2023
Junior assistant captain and left wing Brendan Klotz controls the puck in the Icecats' defensive zone. The Icecats have continuously had success breaking out of the defensive zone and quickly shifting into offensive attacks.

Icecats rocket to first place

Luke Liden, Print EIC
Jan 4, 2023
Icecats swarm Alex Chang to celebrate in front of a full crowd decked out in black. Even though they were in the process of killing off a penalty, Chang was able to put one past BCC's goalie.

Early goals propel Icecats to victory over Barons

Luke Liden, Print EIC
Dec 10, 2022

Luke Liden chats with the Icecats before and after BCC’s funeral

Luke Liden, Print Editor-in-Chief
Dec 3, 2022
Senior and captain Ethan Birndorf picks up his stick after laying the boom on a Churchill player. The crowd's energy was off the charts and contributed to a more physical affair.

Icecats eruptive offense brings hope for states

Luke Liden, Print EIC
Nov 30, 2022

Nikita Farshinyov bikes through a day of BMX

Luke Liden
Nov 14, 2022
The infamous Barstool logo reimagined with WJ colors. Most "barstool" accounts in the county have a similar profile picture, using the same logo with their own color scheme.

Barstool accounts add to high school sports

Luke Liden, Print Editor-in-Chief
Oct 10, 2022
Senior Caleb Olaez checks the value of stock he is currently holding. After being introduced to the stock market, Olaez has put endless hours into researching and checking the market.

Caleb Olaez: online school and online money

Luke Liden, Print EIC
Sep 19, 2022

People of WJ at Graduation

Andrew Plotnick, Luke Liden, Alex Wolfson and Caleb Kasten
Jun 14, 2022

The People of WJ challenge

Andrew Plotnick, Alex Wolfson, Luke Liden and Caleb Kasten
Jun 8, 2022

People of WJ interrupt AP exams?

Alex Wolfson, Andrew Plotnick, Luke Liden and Caleb Kasten
Jun 7, 2022

People of WJ: The Health Fair

Alex Wolfson, Luke Liden, Andrew Plotnick and Caleb Kasten
Jun 6, 2022
Senior captain Julia Beato performs a front handspring during the vault event. While the Wildcats finished in 3rd place, the whole team gave it their all and had a fantastic last meet.

Gymnastics team takes 3rd place in counties

Luke Liden, Print Sports Editor
May 24, 2022

People of WJ 3: Students “Pushing P”

Alex Wolfson, Caleb Kasten, Luke Liden and Andrew Plotnick
May 18, 2022

People of WJ: Episode 2

Alex Wolfson, Caleb Kasten, Andrew Plotnick and Luke Liden
May 12, 2022

People of WJ: Prom edition

Alex Wolfson, Andrew Plotnick, Luke Liden and Caleb Kasten
May 5, 2022
The Icecats pose for a team photo in their cowboy hats, showing off their Texas spirit. While the national tournament didn't go their way, the trip was a fun time for all.

Icecats take on top teams in national tournament

Luke Liden, Print Sports Editor
Apr 4, 2022
Jackson Van Wagener squares up against a Wootton defender. His explosive abilities have helped the team greatly on both offensive and defense. The Wildcats would go on to win the game 65-59.

Senior Jackson Van Wagener rebounds from ACL tear

Luke Liden, Print Sports Editor
Feb 9, 2022
Senior Amir Frye takes the field on defense ready to make a play. Frye has played an essential role on the defensive side of the ball for the Wildcats in all of his three years on the varsity squad.

Amir Frye, division 1 athlete in the making

Luke Liden, Print Sports Editor
Nov 16, 2021
Junior wide receiver Christion Wright channels his inner Randy Moss to make the catch in the end zone over the BCC defender. WJ trailed by a touchdown until Wright's touchdown which changed the momentum of the game greatly.

Wildcats wave Barons goodbye

Luke Liden, Print Sports Editor
Nov 12, 2021
WJ alumni Jacob Daley and Jack Liden perform their set at 7300Pearl's Philadelphia pop-up. Daley and Liden have both been invested in music since their time at WJ and are currently continuing their musical careers elsewhere.

7300Pearl’s Philadelphia Pop-Up

Luke Liden, Print Sports Editor
Nov 7, 2021
Junior wide receiver Pablo Foley lets BCC know where they stand. The rivalry between BCC and WJ often gets heated. After making a clutch tackle on a third down, Foley decided to have a word with the opposing team.

The Football Team Silences BCC

Luke Liden, Print Sports Editor
Oct 15, 2021
Justin Davids and Ethan Birndorf race down the ice for a breakaway opportunity. Davids and Birndorf have played both hockey since a young age and decided to continue their careers at WJ.

The Walter Johnson Hockey Club

Luke Liden, Print Sports Editor
Oct 7, 2021
Walter Johnson sets up on defense against Whitman. In their second game of the season, Walter Johnson destroyed Whitman 42-8.

Varsity football winning culture solidified

Luke Liden, Print Sports Editor
Sep 20, 2021
Fantasy football, while created in the 1960s, has remained a staple of American football culture to this day.

Draft day drama disrupts WJ fantasy football league

Luke Liden, Special to The Pitch
Jan 5, 2021
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