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
From left to right, Farhad Sharifai, coach Guido Zucconi, Jakob Lindsey and Javier Diaz celebrate their commitments to playing Division III soccer at their respective colleges during the Senior Signing Ceremony on May 22. Zucconi is extremely proud of the trio and not only the work they have done on the field for WJ but also how they have matured off it. “Coaching them has been great,” Zucconi said. “I've never had a problem with them, and just like any family, we've had our fights, but it's always been super mature. I'm really impressed by how three young men have taken coaching, instructions and stood up for themselves when needed. We've always found a way to come together at the end, even if we were frustrated with each other.” (Courtesy @wjboyssoccer via Instagram)
Varsity soccer trio commit to D3 colleges
Toby Magary, Print Sports Editor • Jun 13, 2025
The map of the soon-to-be purple line. The line will connect downtown Bethesda with New Carrollton Station, with stops at College Park and Silver Spring.
The Purple Line controversy continues
Bea Roberts, Online Editor-in-Chief • Jun 13, 2025
A senior holds her diploma in the air after the two-and-a-half-hour ceremony. This marks not only the end of a chapter, but the beginning of a new one after years of hard work and perseverance.
Photo Gallery: Graduation 2025
Ivan Duchkov and Karen Cedillo • Jun 13, 2025
Performers gather together cheerfully following the end of International Night. "I think International Night is special because it is the only event that's almost entirely run by ESOL students," Won said.
International Night 2025
Jonathan Bahat and Josh Hananel • Jun 13, 2025
Distinguished Sites Banner
Senior Reflections
2025 Pitch Senior Send Off
News
Two Chromebooks, the newer gen 3 (below) and the older gen 2, (above) sit on a desk. While most students still use the older Chromebooks, WJ no longer has any replacement old Chromebooks, only new Chromebooks
MCPS introduces new Chromebooks for students
Gavin Tribble, Print News Editor
(Seyun Park)
MCPS to release Woodward boundary study options
Gavin Tribble, Print News Editor
MCPS updates PMD policy for next school year
MCPS updates PMD policy for next school year
Kareena Panicker, Print News Editor
Anuva Maloo was elected the 48th Student Member of the Board on Wednesday, April 24. (Courtesy MCPS)
Anuva Maloo elected 48th SMOB
Jay Resnik, Online Opinion Editor
Decorative Background
2025 Senior Issue
Latest in Print
WJ Sports
Junior midfielder Evie Avillo awaits a free kick to be kicked in her direction. The Wildcats dominated the Blazers in the regular season, adding a win to their seven win season.
Junior Ian Perry stands ready to receive a pass from his teammate. (Courtesy Spencer Robinosn)
Junior captain Shoshana Berger poses after she dismounts. saluting the judges. (Courtesy Shoshana Berger)
The Walter Johnson High School baseball team celebrates around senior Shaun Rudick, who hit the walkoff single to win the 4A State Championship for the Wildcats on Friday night. The Wildcats beat the Urbana Hawks 7-6 to clinch their first-ever state championship. (Courtesy Hannah Foslien, reproduced with permission)
Athlete Profile
Senior Noah Butterfly swims butterfly in a WJ Swim Meet. Although fly is his best stroke, Potter also medaled as an anchor of the 200 freestyle relay at the state championship, with a final leg of 45.1. Potter's time was enough to help break a school record, which people have come to expect from Potter.(Courtesy Marcus Chen)
Senior swimmer etches himself into history books
William Murphy, Print Sports Editor • Mar 7, 2025
Senior Kendall Alexander goes up for a contested layup against the Quince Orchard Cougars. Alexander led the team in points last season and helped the Wildcats make it to the second round of the playoffs.
Alexander soars to next level with NC Central commitment
Isabel Chomas, Staff Writer • Dec 13, 2024
Junior Wilson Faucette cycles in a race as a part of the USA Cyclocross series. Faucette has had an impressive season and will be competing in nationals in December. (Courtesy Wilson Faucette)
Pedal to the medal: Faucette, Gentry cycle around Bethesda
William Murphy, Print Sports Editor • Nov 15, 2024
Photos
The Instrumental Spring Concert on Thursday, May 22 was the last concert from the music department. On May 21, all four choirs (General, Advanced, Madrigals, and Show) and WJs three acapella groups (Chocolate, Red Velvet and Vanilla) also performed. "I'd say for the spring concert in particular, there are nods to the seniors as well, where we, for example, yesterday, the seniors sang the first verse of the last song all by themselves and it's very much like a goodbye kind of concert." Dr. Michael Helgerman said.
A student discusses alcoholism, which included a game of beer pong. "My favorite game this year was beer pong," health teacher Candis Fratkin said. "It was a new and creative one."
Videos
BSU hosts annual block party
Meher Parsinni, Josh Hananel and Xavier Alexander-Pounds
Behind the scenes of male poms
Joshua Singer and Mateus Bouquet
Protestors rally at NIH against DOGE cuts
Josh Hananel and Jay Resnik
Spring Sports Preview: Boys’ Lacrosse
Feature
The Camp Life of WJ Students
The Camp Life of WJ Students
Mira Mann, Online Sports Editor
WJ's top vacation spots
WJ’s top vacation spots
Macie Redmond, Special to the Pitch
People pose with syringe with needle in front of displayed Novavax logo in this illustration taken, December 11, 2021. REUTERS/Dado Ruvic/Illustration
Five years after Covid, still feeling the effects
Bea Roberts, Copy Editor
Junior Zach Chaouchi participates in the USC "Speak Your Mind" Ice Bucket Challenge. The challenge aims to raise awareness for mental health. (Courtesy Zach Chaouchi)
Ice bucket challenge makes a comeback, raises awareness for mental health
Jonathan Bahat, Print Opinion Editor
Arts & Entertainment
Characters Dawn, Steve, Garret, Natalie, Sebastian and Henry pose for a Minecraft movie trailer poster. The movie was released on April 4, 2025 to an enthusiastic audience.
Chicken Jockey causes chaos
Vania Charo, Online A&E Editor
Fashion club president and founder, senior Marissa Campos models her designed garments. "We were just getting it all together, trying to get that real vibe of a fashion show, kind of like a school version of the Met Gala," Campos said. (Courtesy Nila Amin)
Fashion club struts in style
Henry Haskell, Online A&E Editor
Tilden Woods Pool is a hot spot for WJ lifeguards, whether it's for relaxing by the pool or being on watch, patrolling the pool.
Wildcats on watch: WJ students spend their summers as lifeguards
Karla Fabregat, Social Media Manager
Junior Ahrin Letourneau records for the award winning film, "Just One," for the film competition for the Annual Speak Up, Save a Life Video Contest. It highlighted the dangers of opioid use, bringing awareness to viewers like the other videos that were created for this contest.
More than a hobby: Ahrin Letourneau pursuing film
Gabby Davids, Layout and Design Editor
Opinion
The combined flags represent my life as I travel back and forth from my two homes. (Courtesy Solorion Brando via Devianart)
Living the American Dream
Ye'ela Zilberman, Special to the Pitch
Katharina Matro's AP World History class watches 2001 Bollywood film "Lagaan". The film follows a group of Indian villagers as they accept a wager to win a cricket match in order to evade two years worth of taxes. Though the film is set in the context of British colonialization it is still manages to be a lighthearted and entertaining film.
Post-exam activities entertain, educate students
Marie-Isabelle Nachega, Print Managing Editors
When students take exams, there is always a concern that someone will be cheating. Students might bring in their phones, notes, and other things that will help them succeed on these exams, but not show their skills or knowledge. Courtesy of CCNull via Creative Commons
College Board has a big problem with exam security
Ivan Duchkov, Staff Writer
Students often are stressed about the AP exam weeks or even months ahead of May. Research has found that it is important to give students a break after this significant stress has been endured. (Courtesy Porter Press)
AP students in a post-AP exam world
Graeme Pearce, Print News Editor
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