The official student newspaper of Walter Johnson High School

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The official student newspaper of Walter Johnson High School

The Pitch
The official student newspaper of Walter Johnson High School

The Pitch
Senior assistant captain Jack Potash breaks away for a one on one chance against the Easton goalie. With a defender on his back, Potash was unable to put this one in the goal; however, the Cats ended the game with seven goals.
Icecats face off against Easton in first round of state playoffs
Seth Stein, Online Sports Editor • Feb 25, 2025
Transforming from paper to screen
Transforming from paper to screen
Olivia Stokes, Print A&E Editor • Feb 22, 2025
Girls basketball's win against Churchill sets up postseason
Girls basketball’s win against Churchill sets up postseason
Jeremy Silberglied, Print Sports Editor • Feb 21, 2025
(Seyun Park, made with Canva)
On the up and up: grade inflation proves to be more than a myth
Seyun Park and Maya Panicker • Feb 18, 2025
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Pasión Latino compete, place in MCPS Latin Dance Competition
Bea Roberts, Copy Editor • Mar 4, 2025
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Latest in Print
Meet the Staff
Olivia Korita
Olivia Korita
Staff Writer

Senior Olivia Korita is enjoying her first year on The Pitch as a Staff Writer. Other than The Pitch, Olivia loves playing guitar and going on hikes.

News
Freshman Renu Vijayaraj dances to Kannazhaga, a South Indian song. "We worked on it for four months,” Vijayaraj said. "I was happy with how it went, it was really fun."
Asian culture assembly showcases students’ heritage
Liam Barrett, Josh Hananel, Olivia Korita and Xavier Alexander-Pounds
Breaking the bias: tackling gender inequality in classes
Breaking the bias: tackling gender inequality in classes
Rhea Noumair, Online Editor-in-Chief
An average attendance sheet is marked full with students being absent. But what is the reason for this and we will ever see a return to more consistent attendance across the board?
Rise in absenteeism reflects greater issue
William Murphy, Print Sports Editor
(Graphic via Canva)
High in high school: the epidemic of buzzed high school students
Gabby Davids, Layout and Design Editor
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WJ Sports
Senior captain Isla Bartholomew dives in during the Metro Championship. Bartholomew, along with 13 other seniors, will compete in their last-ever meet on Saturday in the State Championship. (Courtesy Marcus Chen)
Sophomore Elanor Saybolt swims freestyle in the Metros Championship. Saybolt was one of three swimmers who placed individually on the podium to help the girls' team win Metros with a final score of 346 points. (Courtesy Marcus Chen)
Bocce rolls to historic season
Junior Filippos Kakos leg riding his opponent and bringing him to the floor, while coach Brian Frantz watches closely in the background. (Courtesy WJ Athletics on Instagram)
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Photos
A student holds up her answer to a trivia question as her teammates look to the projector screen for the answer. Most of the questions were random, but the tiebreakers focused, appropriately, on the heart.
Qing Bao, the female panda walks around in the snow. Qing Bao is joined by Bao Li, a male panda, in the panda exhibit.
Videos
Best Buddies hosts Valentine’s Day cookie decorating party
Hugo Conquet and Kaina Sy-Savane
Best Buddies hosts karaoke dance party
Xavier Alexander-Pounds and Olivia Korita
Hispanic heritage assembly celebrates, presents Hispanic culture
Meher Parsinni, Photography Editor
Superintendent proposes $3.61 billion budget
Seyun Park and Hugo Conquet
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Feature
Several students choose to skip class by going to the bathroom. Other students have skipped class by leaving the building before their school day ended.
WJ attendance continues to fluctuate
Abir Ghosh, Staff Writer
(Graphic via Canva)
Are parents too tangled up in student academics?
Madeleine Simmons, Diversity, Equity and Inclusion Editor
Students, teachers disagree on academic dishonesty
Students, teachers disagree on academic dishonesty
Bea Roberts, Staff Writer
Putting the extra in extracurriculars: duplication, analysis of WJ clubs
Putting the extra in extracurriculars: duplication, analysis of WJ clubs
Elli Karistinou, Print Managing Editor
Arts & Entertainment
Dr. Michael Helgerman leads the Symphonic Band, one of the five ensembles that performed at the instrumental music department's winter concert on Thursday, Dec.12. The performance was highlighted with many Christmas classics such as "The Polar Express" and "Let It Snow."
Photo Gallery: Instrumental music performs winter concert
Mateus Bouquet, Online Managing Editor
Squid Game returns after three years with a new line-up of players, while starring old favorites like former winner Seong Gi-Hun (Player No. 456) and the Front Man (Player No. 001). (Photo via Netflix, reproduced via Fair Use)
‘Squid Game’ raises the stakes in thrilling second season
Seyun Park, Editor-in-Chief
(Courtesy Juliescribbles via Wikimedia Commons)
The Pitch’s 2024 Gift Guide
Bea Roberts, Copy Editor
Grammy Awards are lined up and ready to be received by their winners. The 2025 Grammy's will be on Feb 2, 2025. (Courtesy of Wiki Commons)
A deep dive into 2025’s Grammy nominations
Vania Charo, Online A&E Editor
Opinion
Substitute teacher Kenneth Ong introduces himself to an Honors Sociology class using his self-made slideshow. He developed the slides as a method to combat unpreparedness, a frequent issue for some substitutes due to a lack of resources.
The secret life of subs: WJ’s substitute teachers share their challenges
Jay Resnik, Online Opinion Editor
A screenshot of all the SSL opportunities that are emailed to students on a regular basis. These opportunities include both those at the school and around the community.
Get the most out of your SSL hours
Elizabeth Finn, Print Managing Editor
Both StudentVue and student IDs display the name grade and school students go to. There is also a QR code in the app like the physical cards themselves.
Why have physical student IDs when we already have electronic ones?
Kaina Sy-Savane, Film Editor
The real problem with busywork
The real problem with busywork
Mia Halper, Print Editor-in-Chief
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