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
Students give their thoughts on the fall play
Students give their thoughts on the fall play
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
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
Students give their thoughts on the fall play
Students give their thoughts on the fall play
ASL 2 students eat at Mozzeria, a deaf- owned restraunt. Students practiced their signing with the deaf employees to order their food and drinks.
Photo Gallery: ASL Gallaudet Field Trip
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
Washington Capitals captain and forward Alex Ovechkin tracks the puck while Colorado Avalanche defenseman Bowen Byram skates behind him getting ready to defend. Both teams are competing for playoff spots this season. (Courtesy Brian Murphy via Wikimedia Commons)
WJ hockey players discuss Capitals’ strong start
ESOL hosts pumpkin carving event
ESOL hosts pumpkin carving event
The official student newspaper of Walter Johnson High School

The Pitch
The official student newspaper of Walter Johnson High School

The Pitch
Sammie Cohen

Sammie Cohen, Diversity Inclusion and Equity Editor

Sammie is a staff writer for the Pitch this year. This is her first year on staff and she is very excited! At WJ, Sammie is the co-president of Best Buddies, the secretary of NHS, and captain of the Girls Varsity Tennis Team!
All content by Sammie Cohen
A student worker at The Warm Up gives a customer, Psychology teacher Nicole McCarn, her change after purchasing a coffee. His favorite part of working at The Warm Up is taking orders.

The Warm Up: WJ’s very own coffee shop serves staff

Sammie Cohen, Staff Writer
May 23, 2023

Girls’ varsity tennis captain takes us through a day in her life

Alison Razafimandimby and Sammie Cohen
Mar 30, 2023
The AASU joined together to honor the popular Asian holiday, White Day, through an origami flower sale held March 13-17 in front of both the main office and the cafeteria. “White Day is a holiday celebrated in Asian countries (Japan, Korea, China, Vietnam, Taiwan) where people reciprocate gifts to those who gave them something on Valentine's Day. That's why it occurs March 14th, a month after Valentine's [Day]. White gifts such as marshmallows, white chocolate, white flowers, etc. are usually the popular gifts," AASU President and junior Ziqing Chu said.

AASU celebrates White Day

Sammie Cohen
Mar 24, 2023
On Wednesday, Feb.8, the Asian American Student Union (AASU) held a Lunar New Year celebration during lunch in the Student Commons. “I hope that [the students] learned more about East Asian culture and Lunar New Year because I think that Lunar New Year isn’t as popular in America, it’s not really a big holiday on the calendar either. So, I just hope they learned about it and maybe celebrate themselves if they want,” freshman Anna Jhon said.

The Asian American Student Union celebrates the lunar new year

Sammie Cohen, Diversity and Inclusion Editor
Feb 17, 2023
Throughout the month of February, dedicated student leaders are hosting events, performing in an assembly and educating the student body on important topics relating to Black History Month.

How BSU plans to celebrate Black History Month

Sydney Fraser and Sammie Cohen
Feb 3, 2023
Senior Faisal Ali rolls the ball as his team watches behind him. Churchill walked away with the win after multiple competitive frames.

Bocce season comes to a close

Sammie Cohen, Staff Writer
Feb 2, 2023

Learning for Independence: where education exceeds classroom lessons

Sammie Cohen, Staff Writer
Jan 24, 2023
Several students joined together to play in the most popular game of Hanukkah: Dreidel. “It was super exciting to see everyone participate in our traditions. Hanukkah has such a good spirit, it was really fun,” senior and president Maia Byala said.

JSU celebrates Hanukkah

Sammie Cohen, Diversity Inclusion and Equity Editor
Jan 3, 2023
Senior Hannah Albus rolls the ball as her teammates support her. Even after a close game, the team was very proud of their performance.

Bocce’s season begins with a close loss

Sammie Cohen, Staff Writer
Dec 24, 2022
MSP members join together during lunch where they enjoy the food they brought as part of their Thanksgiving Potluck meeting. Some students even brought food from their own culture. They all shared what they were thankful for in a discussion.

MSP strives to create an inclusive community

Sammie Cohen, Staff Writer
Dec 13, 2022
Students from International Club create a mural on the white board for all the things they are thankful for. For students who have just moved to the US, like sophomore Camila Hernandez, this event has shown them what the holiday is all about. “I’m from Colombia; it’s my first Thanksgiving. [This event] makes me know how they celebrate because I don't know anything about [Thanksgiving],” Hernandez said.

International club hosts Thanksgiving

Sydney Fraser, Sammie Cohen and Ishaan Ramola
Nov 29, 2022
“I think it’s not [lame]. You get to have fun with your friends, plus my birthday is after so I get a lot of free candies.” –Michelle Munkh-Erdene, 9

UAB: Is trick-or-treating lame?

Sammie Cohen, Diversity Inclusion and Equity Editor
Oct 31, 2022
Students and staff participate in the Walk for Wellness on the track during lunch. While more students were expected, a few passionate participants came out to finish the week off strong.

Students participate in mental health awareness week

Sammie Cohen, Staff Writer
Oct 25, 2022
Preview to mental health awareness week

Preview to mental health awareness week

Sammie Cohen, Staff Writer
Oct 7, 2022
At the new student picnic, the Operation Smile WJ leadership team is distributing baked goods and educating new members on their club's mission. They recruited several members who are interested in the organization.

Clubs attract new members

Sammie Cohen, Staff Writer
Sep 20, 2022
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