The official student newspaper of Walter Johnson High School

The Pitch
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.
MCPS miscalculation leads to $39 million construction deficit
(Courtesy Maryland GovPics - The Celebration of Maryland Black Excellence Reception via Wikimedia)
Alsobrooks wins major fight for Senate seat
Paper Bridges letter drive to be set in December
Paper Bridges letter drive to be set in December
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
Club president Sadie Morgenstern and treasurer Brady Chan embrace in a hug with his younger brother, Ryder, at the annual friendship walk last year. “The walk is a fun way to interact with people from other schools and everyone seems to really enjoy it,” Chan said.
Generational friendship: Best Buddies between siblings
A family happily enjoys a holiday meal together, with all the members seemingly enjoying themselves except for the only child in the image. We all know what she's going through and wish we had something-anything to talk to our extended family about.
No politics, just pie: seasonal dinner table topics
Sophomore Grace Harrington and father dress down in their regalia for powwow. Photos similar to these hang in her house with her father often reminding her of her Native ancestry. “Some people put little pilgrim decorations up on their house at Thanksgiving, we do not do that, but we do still celebrate it because it brings our family together,” Huntington said. (Courtesy Grace Harrington)
To celebrate or not to celebrate: Thanksgiving’s meaning today
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
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’
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 English, math classes
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
A student tiredly walks down a hallway after a school day. Many students feel drained after a day of school, but is WJ the problem?
Is the school the problem? The case for WJ
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
Seniors Ellie Weinstein, Rhea Noumair, Naamiah Corke, and Natalie Annulis celebrate Weinstein's first touchdown of the game.
Girls’ flag football falls to Whitman in playoffs
Junior Annie Linkie and senior Anna Kotek run down one of the many hills of the states course. "The race was really crowded at the start and it was difficult to find a spot where I could keep my pace," Linkie said. "Luckily, I was able to run with some of my teammates which always helps with the mental difficulty during the race."
Girls’ cross country bolts over the hills, finishes 5th in state
Junior quarterback Jake Forburger takes the snap from junior center Andrew Corrado during the game against Laurel. Forburger consistently drove the ball down the field, contributing to a 40-13 win.
Wildcats trample Spartans in playoffs
ESOL pumpkin carving
ESOL pumpkin carving
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
Homecoming hallways walkthrough
Homecoming hallways walkthrough
What conspiracy theories do you believe in?
What conspiracy theories do you believe in?
The official student newspaper of Walter Johnson High School

The Pitch
The official student newspaper of Walter Johnson High School

The Pitch
Sanir Byanjankar

Sanir Byanjankar, Photographer Editor

Sanir is a photographer/videographer/editor for the Pitch this year. This is his second year on the Pitch and in his free time he likes to watch basketball and football.
All content by Sanir Byanjankar
The Wildcats celebrate beating Churchill in the first round of playoffs. Having lost two years in a row in the regional final, baseball this season will look to break into the state tournament.

Spring Sports Previews

Seyun Park, Anna Zucconi, Joshua Singer, Lily Tapparo, Hillevi Schine, Mateus Bouquet, Jeremy Silberglied, Elizabeth Finn, Cecilia Saltzman, Michelle Kim and Mackenzie Norris
March 20, 2024

Black Student Union celebrates Black History Month by hosting impactful assembly

Zsuzsanna Juhasz, Ishaan Ramola and Sanir Byanjankar
March 1, 2023

Wildcats upsets undefeated Damascus 68-66

Sanir Byanjankar, Film Editor
February 21, 2023

Embrace the journey, savor the moment: a poms documentary

Sanir Byanjankar, Jalen Scott and Blake Bailey
February 21, 2023

Inside the Den: Weekly Sports Recap Feb 6th-10th

Andrew Plotnick and Sanir Byanjankar
February 14, 2023

Inside the Den: Icecats preview for first playoff game

Andrew Plotnick and Sanir Byanjankar
February 10, 2023

Inside the Den: Weekly Recap Jan 30th-Feb 3rd

Andrew Plotnick and Sanir Byanjankar
February 10, 2023

WJ defeats Watkins Mill 71-35

Sanir Byanjankar, Film Editor
January 19, 2023

Year in review

Sanir Byanjankar, Film Editor
January 19, 2023
Junior Namori Omog brings up the ball, looking for an opportunity. This was the second time the Wildcats competed against the Patriots.

Week in review: Wildcats fall to Barons and Patriots

January 11, 2023

Wildcats defeat Blazers 66-47

Sanir Byanjankar, Film Editor
December 20, 2022

A look into boys’ basketball before game against Watkins Mill

Sanir Byanjankar, Film Editor
December 14, 2022

WJ boys basketball beats Watkins Mill 71-35

Sanir Byanjankar, Film Editor
December 12, 2022

WJ vs. RM football highlights

Sanir Byanjankar, Film Editor
October 18, 2022

Julia Lebron Exclusive Pitch Interview

Sanir Byanjankar and Joshua Singer
October 7, 2022

Interview with Assistant Principal Jeff Leaman

October 7, 2022

WJ Football defeats Northwest for the first time in a decade

Sanir Byanjankar, Film Editor
October 4, 2022

WJ vs. Whitman football highlights

Sanir Byanjankar, Photography/Film Editor
September 21, 2022

WJ football highlights vs Whitman

Sanir Byanjankar, Photography and Film Editor
September 12, 2022

WJ football victory highlights vs. Churchill

Sanir Byanjankar, Photography and Film editor
September 8, 2022

WJ graduation captured by the Pitch

Sanir Byanjankar and Jalen Scott
June 16, 2022
Zion Williamson gets drafted number one by the New Orleans Pelicans.

Sanir Byanjankar’s NBA 2022 Mock Draft

Sanir Byanjankar, Staff Writer
May 29, 2022

WJ Prom 2022 recap

Sanir Byanjankar, Jalen Scott and Zsuzsanna Juhasz
May 25, 2022

Walter Johnson boys’ lacrosse season highlights

Sanir Byanjankar
May 11, 2022

WJ girls’ lacrosse team honors alumna Abby Bieber

Sanir Byanjankar
May 9, 2022

Girls lacrosse honors late alum

Josephine Meriot and Sanir Byanjankar
April 26, 2022

WJ vs Richard Montgomery Round 1 of MPSSA Playoffs

Sanir Byanjankar
March 7, 2022

WJ vs Richard Montgomery boys’ basketball playoffs highlights

Sanir Byanjankar, Staff Writer
March 3, 2022

Walter Johnson vs Poolesville boys’ basketball highlights

Sanir Byanjankar, Staff Writer
February 11, 2022

State of the School: One-on-One with Principal Baker

Maeve Sanford-Kelly, Jillian Ward, Josephine Meriot, Nicole Weaver and Sanir Byanjankar
February 9, 2022
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
September 20, 2021
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