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
Ned Storer

Ned Storer, Sports Editor

Ned Storer is a senior at WJ. He’s a sports editor in his first year writing on the Pitch, and plays basketball in his free time. He’s also the Vice President of WJ’s golf club and is very excited to contribute to the Pitch this year.

All content by Ned Storer
Senior Rodrigo Yepez-Lopez, sophomore Alex Scott and junior Jake Marks (pictured left to right) accelerate through a turn. This trio has led the boys team to a characteristically strong start to the season.

Outdoor track and field looks to continue successful tradition

Ned Storer, Sports Editor
Apr 12, 2019
The Kansas Jayhwaks warm up for a game in the 2018 NCAA tournament. March madness is one of the most anticipated times of the year for many sports fans.

Pitch staff: March Madness predictions

Ned Storer, Ben Files, Matt Shea and Elijah Kasten
Mar 21, 2019
Senior forward Hank Roll pulls up for a baseline jumper in the win over B-CC. Roll came up with timely baskets in this back-and-forth matchup.

Electric home crowd powers boys basketball to victory over B-CC

Ned Storer, Sports Editor
Mar 7, 2019
Sophomore guard Philip Stubin brings the ball upcourt in an early season game against Richard Montgomery. Stubin, second on the team in scoring, has stepped up this season and was critical to the team's spectacular regular season.

WJ boys basketball primes up for playoff run

Ned Storer, Sports Editor
Mar 1, 2019
Wizards guard John Wall pulls up for a jump shot against the New York Knicks. After it was announced that Wall would miss the remainder of the season with bone spurs in his heel, Washington has won just seven of 18 games.

Conspiracy clouds over John Wall’s Achilles injury

Ned Storer, Sports Editor
Feb 27, 2019
Senior Aidan Williams dives for a loose ball as a small fight emerges in the WJ-Churchill football game last November. WJ's rivalry with Churchill extends beyond the athletic setting, as students from each school plagiarized the other school's stadiums.

WJ sports rivalries heating up

Ned Storer, Sports Editor
Feb 8, 2019
Senior Dermot O'Kelly prepares for a back dive against Blair at the Olney Indoor Aquatic Center. O'Kelly is one of many seniors on the team who hope to lead the team to success at states. Photo courtesy of Dermot O'Kelly

Swim and Dive enters new season with high expectations

Ned Storer, Print Sports Editor
Dec 20, 2018
Spencer Mahne pulls up for a jumper in practice. Mahne is second on the team in scoring with 11 points per game.

Spencer Mahne leads WJ basketball with newfound leadership

Ned Storer, Sports Editor
Dec 20, 2018
Sophomore Jake Griffin warms up for Day 1 of the state championships on the putting green. Griffin led the team with a score of 75 on the first day.

Golf team aims high and shoots low at states

Ned Storer, Sports Editor
Nov 30, 2018
Boys cross country prepares for the county championship with a pre-race pep talk. The boys ended up in fifth place behind Northwood, Paint Branch, Wotton and Whitman on the cold rainy day.

Cross Country look to improve heading into states

Zachary Meyers, Sports Editor
Nov 9, 2018
DJ Durkin was fired from his position as UMD football head coach. Durkin's departure is the result of a lengthy investigation into the death of athlete Jordan McNair

University of Maryland fires football coach

Ned Storer and Ethan Schwager
Nov 5, 2018
Philadelphia 76ers center Joel Embiid skies in for a rebound against the Washington Wizards. Embiid is a key player on what many expect to be a championship contending team this season.

The 2018-19 NBA season tips off

Ned Storer, Sports Editor
Oct 31, 2018
WJ's offense lines up for a snap. The team currently hold the third-ranked scoring offense in its division.

WJ football triumphant over BCC

Ned Storer, Sports Editor
Oct 12, 2018
Junior Owen Porter lines up his tee shot. Porter has been an instrumental part of WJ's early success this season.

WJ golf starts on positive note

Ned Storer, Sports Editor
Sep 28, 2018
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