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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
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Stand Up to Hate Walkout Photo Gallery

Maeve Sanford-Kelly, Print Managing Editor • October 15, 2021

  • Members of WJ Chorus hold up signs while singing “Lift Every Voice and Sing” during the Stand Up to Hate walkout.

    Photo by Maeve Sanford-Kelly
    '

  • During the Stand Up to Hate walkout, students raise their hands when asked if they’ve been impacted by prejudice or discrimination.

    Photo by Maeve Sanford-Kelly
    '

  • Minority Scholars Program President Tomi Ogunnusi speaks during the Stand Up to Hate walkout. MSP is one of the WJ student groups who helped to plan the walkout.

    Photo by Maeve Sanford-Kelly
    '

  • Senior Catherine Prado asks students to raise their hands if they’ve been impacted by prejudice or discrimination during the Stand Up to Hate walkout. Prado is the President of WJ Immigration Advocates which helped organize the event.

    Photo by Maeve Sanford-Kelly
    '

  • Sophomore Leora Leavey holds up a sign that reads “Love Wins” during the Stand Up to Hate walkout.

    Photo by Maeve Sanford-Kelly
    '

  • BSU secretary Cyiza Andemambika speaks during the Stand Up to Hate walkout.

    Photo by Maeve Sanford-Kelly
    '

  • A group of students hold up signs supporting inclusivity and love during the Stand Up to Hate walkout

    Photo by Maeve Sanford-Kelly
    '

  • MSP Vice President Imani Safari sets up the playoff music for the end of the Stand Up to Hate walkout.

    Photo by Maeve Sanford-Kelly
    '

  • Assistant Principal Nicole Morgan and BSU President Joyce Onana embrace at the end of the Stand Up to Hate walkout. BSU, along with a bunch of other clubs, worked in tandem with administration to plan this event.

    Photo by Maeve Sanford-Kelly
    '

  • Principal Jennifer Baker wipes away tears at the end of the Stand Up to Hate event. “I’m so proud of our students because they took this act of hate and turned it into a unifying event for our school and community,” Baker said.

    Photo by Maeve Sanford-Kelly
    '

  • A group of students involved in planning the Stand Up to Hate event pose for a photo at the end of the program.

    Photo by Maeve Sanford-Kelly
    '

  • Principal Jennifer Baker takes a photo on her iPhone of students before the Stand Up to Hate walkout.

    Photo by Maeve Sanford-Kelly
    '

  • Junior Shiima Nantulya speaks during the Stand Up to Hate walkout.

    Photo by Maeve Sanford-Kelly
    '

  • Gender and Sexuality Alliance President Felix Belotti holds up a sign that reads “hate has no home here” during the Stand Up to Hate walkout. GSA is one of the WJ student groups that helped to plan the walkout.

    Photo by Maeve Sanford-Kelly
    '

  • Black Student Union President Joyce Onana speaks during the Stand Up to Hate walkout. BSU is one of the WJ student groups that helped to plan the walkout.

    Photo by Maeve Sanford-Kelly
    '

  • Junior Jack Melton holds up a poster that reads “stand up and end the hate” during the Stand Up to Hate walkout at WJ.

    Photo by Maeve Sanford-Kelly
    '
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WJ held a Stand Up to Hate Walkout on Oct. 15 during third period. The rally was in response to a collection of hate speech that was written in spray paint on WJ property and around the community. It was organized by a group of student leaders from clubs including Black Student Union, Minority Scholars Program, Gender and Sexuality Alliance, Immigration Advocacy Club and Uplift WJ in order to make it clear that WJ will not stand for hateful acts committed at the school or in the broader community. 

“I think [the event] went well! I’m happy so many students showed up. It showed how loud students’ voices can be,” Gender and Sexuality Alliance President Felix Bellotti said.  

The event was organized in coordination with administrators including Principal Jennifer Baker but it was really student advocates who took the lead. 

“I’m so proud of our students because they took this act of hate and turned it into a unifying event for our school and community…I have a vision [for WJ] and this was my vision. It’s the silver lining in all of this awful hate…Hopefully people will know I care,” Baker said. 

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About the Contributor
Maeve Sanford-Kelly
Maeve Sanford-Kelly, Print Managing Editor
In her second year on The Pitch, Maeve Sanford-Kelly is excited to be serving as a Print Managing Editor. Outside of The Pitch, she's the Chair of Maryland High School Democrats and Chief of Staff for the Montgomery County Regional SGA.
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