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 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
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
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
Homecoming hallways walkthrough
Homecoming hallways walkthrough
The official student newspaper of Walter Johnson High School

The Pitch
The official student newspaper of Walter Johnson High School

The Pitch
Siddharth Srinivasan

Siddharth Srinivasan, Print Editor-in-Chief

This is Siddharth Srinivasan’s third year on The Pitch and his first as Print Editor-in-Chief. In his spare time, he enjoys reading, watching movies, soccer, playing piano and supporting Houston sports teams.

All content by Siddharth Srinivasan

Siddharth Srinivasan’s Senior Reflection

Siddharth Srinivasan, Print Editor-in-Chief
Jun 15, 2021
Both a number and a choice

Both a number and a choice

Siddharth Srinivasan, Print Editor-in-Chief
Apr 14, 2021
A recently "flocked" lawn. Flocking raised $1,880 dollars for Pennies 4 Patients this February.

Pennies 4 Patients adapts to COVID constraints

Siddharth Srinivasan, Print Editor-in-Chief
Mar 4, 2021
"No, I'm afraid the SAT will not be administered online"

“No, I’m afraid the SAT will not be administered online”

Siddharth Srinivasan, Print Editor-in-Chief
Jan 4, 2021
What's going on in the world (Besides COVID-19) October 2020

What’s going on in the world (Besides COVID-19) October 2020

Siddharth Srinivasan, Print Editor-in-Chief
Nov 6, 2020
What's Going on in the World (Besides COVID-19) VI

What’s Going on in the World (Besides COVID-19) VI

Siddharth Srinivasan, Print Editor-in-Chief
Sep 30, 2020
What's Going On in the World (Besides COVID-19) V

What’s Going On in the World (Besides COVID-19) V

Siddharth Srinivasan, Opinion Editor
Jun 27, 2020
What’s Going On in the World (Besides COVID-19) IV

What’s Going On in the World (Besides COVID-19) IV

Siddharth Srinivasan, Opinion Editor
May 14, 2020
What's Going On in the World (Besides COVID-19) III

What’s Going On in the World (Besides COVID-19) III

Siddharth Srinivasan, Print Opinion Editor
May 7, 2020
What's Going on in the World (Besides COVID-19) II

What’s Going on in the World (Besides COVID-19) II

Siddharth Srinivasan, Opinion Editor
May 4, 2020
What's Going on in the World (Besides COVID-19)

What’s Going on in the World (Besides COVID-19)

Siddharth Srinivasan, Opinion Editor
Apr 10, 2020
Coronavirus won't end humanity; racism, hysteria will

Coronavirus won’t end humanity; racism, hysteria will

Siddharth Srinivasan, Opinion Editor
Feb 15, 2020
Narcissism prevails against common sense

Narcissism prevails against common sense

Siddharth Srinivasan, Opinion Editor
Jan 18, 2020
SAFE-T Club officers Yerim Kone and Gracie Luna. Founded in the wake of the "Schindler's List" incident in early 2019, the club aims to combat discrimination and promote inclusivity throughout WJ.

Safe-T for school unity

Siddharth Srinivasan, Opinion Editor
Dec 12, 2019
The fateful obsession with our grades

The fateful obsession with our grades

Siddharth Srinivasan, Opinion Editor
Dec 11, 2019
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
Can racism be excused by immaturity?

Can racism be excused by immaturity?

Siddharth Srinivasan, Opinion Editor
Nov 3, 2019
Held in the outdoor stadium this year, the fall pep rally brought together students of all grades, many dressed in their designated class color. A minority of students refrained from participating in the spirit, causing them to appear as outcasts to some.

School spirit: is the reward worth the effort

Siddharth Srinivasan, Opinion Editor
Sep 27, 2019
Photo Courtesy of Sophie Becker The cast of 1776 at a brush-up rehearsal between performances. The unrelenting persistence and commitment of the crew and cast rendered the play a great success.

WJ’s 1776 makes history

Siddharth Srinivasan, Staff Writer
Apr 12, 2019
School shootings are becoming more and more common in the United States. With each atrocity, the public’s senses are numbed and nullified, until the point where we will be oblivious to the suffering around us.

Society becoming desensitized by tragedy

Siddharth Srinivasan, Staff Writer
Apr 11, 2019
Each year, more and more teens suffer from stress. Adults have begun to form opinions, comparing modern teen problems with the experiences they had growing up.

An evolution of stress: how adults view teen stress vs. when they went to high school

Siddharth Srinivasan, Staff Writer
Mar 8, 2019
Sleep deprivation can have serious long-term consequences. Students are sleeping less and less every night, and are suffering as a result.

Students stricken by sleep deprivation

Siddharth Srinivasan, Staff Writer
Feb 8, 2019
Over 2.5 billion people, around 30% of the world’s population, use some form of social media. Responding to this innovation, WJ has made WiFi slower, and social media more accessible to staff and students

Improving social media access for students

Siddharth Srinivasan, Staff Writer
Dec 20, 2018
Hundreds of thousands of students take the SAT every year. People have started to wonder whether the odds of getting a good score is stacked in favor of one group of people while abandoning the other.

Americans begin to radically reevaluate SAT and ACT

Siddharth Srinivasan, Staff Writer
Dec 12, 2018
Juniors Dylan Rose and Trent Powell discuss plans for their new projects. The Filmmakers Association was formed last February.

Looking in the lens of a new WJ activity: The Filmmakers Association

Siddharth Srinivasan, Staff Writer
Nov 30, 2018
Judge Brett Kavanaugh’s hearing to confirm him to the Supreme Court has been delayed due to sexual misconduct allegations. A second accuser recently made allegations that Kavanaugh exposed himself to her at a party.

Controversy surrounds Supreme Court nominee

Siddharth Srinivasan, Staff Writer
Sep 28, 2018
The Office is one of America's most iconic sit-coms. NBC is considering reviving the beloved show.

NBC considering “The Office” revival

Siddharth Srinivasan, Staff Writer
Sep 28, 2018
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