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
Molly Benson

Molly Benson, Managing Editor

Molly Benson is a senior at WJ. She is excited to continue her career on The Pitch as a Managing Editor. Other than being on The Pitch, Molly loves being on WJ’s swim and dive team. This year will be her last year with the aquacats.

All content by Molly Benson
Bregman poses for a selfie with her new found UMD roommate during this quarentine.

Seniors finding college roommates

Molly Benson, Managing Editor
May 14, 2020
Creating new fun food options is a creative way of staying busy during these hard times.

Hobbies to pick up

Molly Benson, Managing Editor
Apr 29, 2020
Although it may be non-traditional, getting a personalized stuffed animal at Build-A-Bear is a great way to show your loved one that you care about them.

Relationship Issue: Valentine’s Day gift ideas

Molly Benson, Managing Editor
Feb 15, 2020
Photo courtesy of Needpix Many high school relationships lead to fighting and inevitably end in heartbreak

Relationship issue: High school relationships are unhealthy

Molly Benson, Managing Editor
Feb 14, 2020
Photo courtesy of Flickr Cupcakes and a bouquet of roses is a fun to celebrate with a loved one

What to get your special someone for Valentine’s Day

Molly Benson, Managing Editor
Feb 14, 2020
Secret Santa and White Elephant are two great ways to get gifts for all of your friends and family while not spending an absurd amount of money.

Secret Santa provides fun and affordable gift giving option

Molly Benson, Managing Editor
Jan 3, 2020
Starbucks starts selling these festive winter cups November 1.

Charging the Mound: Does holiday spirit begin too soon?

Siddharth Srinivasan and Molly Benson
Dec 11, 2019
Don't listen to the naysayers! You're never too old to dress up and have fun trick or treating!

Students aren’t too old for trick or treating

Molly Benson, Managing Editor
Nov 5, 2019
Senior Holly Darby reaches for a paper in Mrs. Patel's seventh period AP Lit class. She worked on annotating poems in class.

Although AP Lit is challenging, it’s worth taking it over Honors English 12

Molly Benson, Managing Editor
Nov 1, 2019
Students are seen walking to their sixth period portable class. The walk to class can be warm with sunny weather outside, but this isn't always the case, making the portables inconvenient for some students.

Portables are unsafe for students

Molly Benson, Managing Editor
Sep 28, 2019
People in D.C. protested for better awareness and action taken to improve women's rights during the Women's March. Photo courtesy of Abby Matson

New abortion laws support patriarchy

Molly Benson, Arts & Entertainment Editor
Jun 12, 2019
Junior Holly Darby tops off her outfit with a bold pair of red sunglasses. Photo courtesy of Holly Darby

Guide to summer music festivals

Molly Benson, Arts & Entertainment Editor
May 17, 2019
Rothman (left) and Mucchetti (right) pose together for their cover photo of the new season. Photo courtesy of Cara Demitz

Austin and Ally reboot

Molly Benson, Arts & Entertainment Editor
Apr 1, 2019
A student parks their car outside of a parking space. Due to the overwhelming amount of juniors who need parking spaces without parking passes, students have resorted to alternative spaces.

Parking situation sparks feud between upperclassmen

Molly Benson, Arts & Entertainment Editor
Mar 15, 2019
Many students prefer the live action film of this movie over the cartoon. This was also one of the most popular holiday movies to students at WJ.

Bundle up for holiday movies by Netflix

Molly Benson, Arts & Entertainment Editor
Dec 20, 2018

2018 Homecoming video review

Molly Benson, Print Arts & Entertainment Editor
Nov 20, 2018
Last year, current sophomore Jane Umhofer went to WJ’s Homecoming dance with a group of close friends. The four of them stayed the whole time and were never bored.

Is Homecoming better with or without a date?

Molly Benson, Print A&E Editor
Oct 29, 2018
Many are excited to see Meryl Streep make an appearance after her amazing performance in Mamma Mia. Although the actress made a few entrances, viewers still enjoyed the sequel.

Summer movies start student conversation at WJ

Molly Benson, Print Arts & Entertainment Editor
Sep 27, 2018
Freshman Henry Bagshaw lifeguards at his local pool. The summer is a great time for students to earn a little extra money in their free time. Photo courtesy of Molly Benson.

Students explore summer job opportunities

Molly Benson
Jun 13, 2018
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