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
Located in the hall of the main gym, this trophy cases houses more trophies from cross country and track.

Celebrating the past and present: acknowledging WJ’s athletic triumphs

Suzanne Hancock, Staff Writer
January 25, 2024
A security guard checks student's IDs at the athletic circle entrance on Friday, Nov. 3. Students often quickly flash their IDs to get in, meaning anyone with a backpack and a green ID would likely be let in by security. Students who forget their ID also find it easy to sneak back into school, meaning people who don't belong in the school wouldn't have difficulty sneaking in either.

WJ needs to improve school security for students’ safety

Sara Elster, Print News Editor
November 16, 2023
Even after getting their parking permits, students are still struggling to find a spot in the lot. Many are in favor of assigned spots, which could make the process more convenient and fun. “I think we should each have our own allotted spot, and decorate them,” senior Sylvie Bergoffen said.

Assigned parking spots make sense

Geetanjali Raju, Online News Editor
September 14, 2023
Should workload be lightened in the fourth quarter?

Should workload be lightened in the fourth quarter?

Jordan Silverstien, Special to the Pitch
June 16, 2023
After many months of drowning in school work, summer break is the vital time for students to unwind doing the things they love. The anticipation of going to the beach, making a summer bucket list and lounging by the pool is overwhelming.

How to live your best life in summer

Suzanne Hancock, Staff Writer
June 15, 2023
Exchange students from all over the world have the flag of their country at the mid-year orientation of an exchange program calls AFS. Students shared their thought about their experiences and their own cultures.

Studying abroad yields equally exciting experiences

Rio Kato, Staff Writer
June 15, 2023
Bethany Beach, pictured above, is the most popular location for beach week. Some students choose to go to other beaches or locations instead.

Students deserve independence during beach week

Ada Hillman, Online Managing Editor
June 14, 2023
The WJ boys basketball team maximizes its offseason time by participating in various local leagues, and holding weekly workouts. The general consensus is that playing on the summer league team gives players an advantage come December when the real season starts.

What I have learned from summer league basketball

Ben Kim, Senior Opinion Editor
June 14, 2023
Reading is a peaceful way to spend your time during the summer and works great with the crashing waves of the beach. Falling into the deep description of the book is a great summer distraction.

Refresh your love of reading this summer

Keira Poersch, Online Feature Editor
June 14, 2023
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