The Pitch Online

Written by Girard Bucello · May 17, 2012  

1. François Hollande Elected President of France. On May 6, Socialist François Hollande defeated incumbent candidate Nicolas Sarkozy with 52 percent of the vote. He had won a plurality of votes in an election two weeks earlier, but could not achieve over 50 percent of votes cast, forcing... (more...)

Written by Girard Bucello · May 15, 2012  

1. Five Arraigned by Military Tribunal for Planning 9/11. Five men held by the United States, including Khalid Sheikh Mohammed, have been brought before a military tribunal for their role in planning the September 11 terrorist attacks. None of the defendants entered a plea of either guilty... (more...)

Written by Girard Bucello · May 7, 2012  

1. South Sudan: ‘North Has Declared War.’ Salva Kiir, the President of South Sudan, stated that the attacks on his country by Sudan constitute a declaration of war. Sudan has not formally declared war with its southern neighbor, but has continued attacks against border states in... (more...)

Written by Girard Bucello · April 30, 2012  

1. UN Observers in Syria as Ceasefire Falters. Reports of casualties began coming out of Syria despite the arrival of United Nations observers in the country. The UN mission was approved after Syria agreed, then appeared to violate, a ceasefire with anti-government forces. The Syrian government... (more...)

Written by Girard Bucello · April 23, 2012  

1. Tense Ceasefire Reached in Syria. Despite sporadic and increasing outbreaks of violence, the ceasefire agreement between the Syrian government and opposition groups appears to be holding. Protesters came back out onto the streets in large numbers amid reports that violence had decreased... (more...)

Written by Girard Bucello · April 19, 2012  

The Leukemia and Lymphoma Society (LLS) has released its fundraising statistics for Pennies for Patients, and WJ has broken multiple records with its confirmed total of $58,263.86 raised for cancer research. This is the tenth year WJ has been the top donor among its competitors, most notably... (more...)

Written by Girard Bucello · April 17, 2012  

1. French Police Arrest Over 20 Suspected Militants. In the aftermath of the killing spree by Mohammed Merah, police in France have arrested a total of 23 suspected Islamic militants. At least nine of them have been charged with “criminal conspiracy in connection with a terrorist enterprise.”... (more...)

Written by Girard Bucello · March 28, 2012  

In the early 1980s, HIV/AIDS had just been recognized as a disease. The general public thought that HIV was limited to homosexuals and drug users. There was no cure or treatment option, and the life expectancy of a person with the virus was only a few months long. Enter Dr. Anthony Fauci,... (more...)

Written by Girard Bucello · March 28, 2012  

1. American Soldier Accused of Killing 16 Afghan Civilians. A U.S. Army soldier is accused of killing 16 Afghans in their homes after leaving his base. Among the dead are nine children. Some of the victims’ bodies were set on fire. There is no current motive for the shooting, but the soldier... (more...)

Written by Girard Bucello · March 24, 2012  

1. French Killer of Seven Dies after Shootout. Mohammed Merah, who police believe to be responsible for the shooting deaths of three off-duty French paratroopers and four civilians at a Jewish school, died on March 22. A French marksman shot him once in the head after he shot repeatedly at... (more...)

Written by Girard Bucello · March 23, 2012  

Orchestra director Christopher Kosmaceski praised the WJ Symphonic Orchestra for their performance at the National Orchestra Cup on March 10. The competition, held at Alice Tully Hall at New York City’s Lincoln Center, is one of the most prestigious in the nation for high school orchestras,... (more...)

Written by Girard Bucello · March 21, 2012  

1. Ammunition Depot Explodes, Killing Over 200. A fire in an army ammunition depot in the Congo caused a massive explosion, killing over 200 people. Video of the aftermath showed significant damage to nearby buildings, many with exterior walls damaged, roofs blown off and windows shattered.... (more...)

Written by Girard Bucello · March 12, 2012  

1. Red Cross Blocked from Rescuing Syrians. A convoy of aid from the International Red Cross was blocked by Syrian authorities on March 2, despite an earlier promise to allow unhindered travel to the Red Cross. The convoy attempted to enter a particularly devastated neighborhood in the city... (more...)

Written by Girard Bucello · March 7, 2012  

1. Prison Fight in Mexico Leaves 44 Dead. A fight on Feb. 19 between members of two rival drug cartels in Mexico led to 44 deaths. The two cartels, the Gulf cartel and los Zetas, are among the most dangerous operating in Mexico. There is speculation that prison guards may have been complicit... (more...)

Written by Girard Bucello · March 6, 2012  

It’s a once-in-a-lifetime opportunity for aspiring classical musicians: the WJ Symphonic Orchestra has been invited to the National Orchestra Cup on March 10, in which only ten schools in the country can compete. The competition, which will be held at Alice Tully Hall at the Lincoln Center... (more...)

Written by Girard Bucello · March 2, 2012  

1. Israeli Diplomats Targeted by Explosions. Israeli officials have blamed Iran for attempting to attack their diplomats stationed in three foreign countries. An explosion on Feb. 13 injured a woman inside of an Israeli diplomat’s car in New Delhi. An explosive device was discovered on the... (more...)

Written by Girard Bucello · March 1, 2012  

1. Syria Violence Intensifies; US Closes Embassy. Violence in Syria has become more widespread, with artillery used against the opposition city of Homs. The Free Syrian Army, which opposes the incumbent president, Bashar al-Assad, and the current government have disputed each other’s claims... (more...)

Written by Girard Bucello · February 22, 2012  

It’s been viewed as a showdown between Hollywood and Silicon Valley, as leaders in the film and television industry face off against Internet giants. The issue: two bills in Congress, the Stop Online Piracy Act (SOPA) in the House of Representatives and the Protect Intellectual Property... (more...)

Written by Girard Bucello · February 15, 2012  

The Baltimore Symphony Orchestra (BSO) is working with the WJ Symphonic Orchestra in order to prepare for the National Orchestra Cup. Ellen P. Troyer, a violinist with the BSO, and Chang Woo Lee, who is the Associate Principal Cello, have helped students in the Symphonic Orchestra prepare... (more...)

Written by Girard Bucello · February 1, 2012  

Call it an early Christmas present to students – or a nuisance to administration. From early to mid-December, two students added Halo and Counter-Strike to school computers. In the short time that students had access to the games, they became wildly popular, especially during classes that... (more...)

Written by Girard Bucello · January 25, 2012  

What should have been a peaceful Mediterranean cruise quickly became a harrowing nightmare for the passengers of the MS Costa Concordia. The Costa Concordia ran aground off the Italian coast on Jan. 13 and flooded before rolling onto her side with at least 11 killed and over a dozen unaccounted... (more...)

Written by Girard Bucello · January 10, 2012  

5. Tie – Angela Merkel and Nicolas Sarkozy Europe is in dire financial trouble. With countries like Greece, Italy, Portugal and Spain deep in debt with seemingly no way out, Europe will be reliant on its strongest economies for bailouts. Germany and France, headed by Chancellor Angela Merkel... (more...)

Written by Girard Bucello · January 9, 2012  

On Dec. 17, world leaders were presented with the shocking news that Kim Jong-Il, who had ruled North Korea for two decades, was dead. With the man who had defined his country gone, all eyes turned to Kim Jong-Un, the son of the deceased Kim Jong-Il and the man deemed the “Supreme Leader”... (more...)

Written by Girard Bucello · December 21, 2011  

1. Iraq War Brought to Official End. At a ceremony in Baghdad, U.S. officials marked the end of nine years of conflict in Iraq. Secretary of Defense Leon Panetta told U.S. troops that the mission had been worth the large sum of money spent, and the number of lives lost. The invasion of Iraq... (more...)

Written by Girard Bucello · December 20, 2011  

The Occupy Movement has been underway for months, and it has spread like wildfire. At first glance, it shouldn’t be surprising: the protesters share a common hatred of big corporations and banks, who they blame for the economic collapse. They believe that the United States is on the wrong... (more...)

Written by Girard Bucello · December 8, 2011  

1. NATO Accidentally Kills 26 Pakistani Soldiers. NATO conducted an airstrike against a Pakistani military checkpoint on Nov. 26, killing 26 Pakistani soldiers. The airstrike came after forces in Afghanistan reported taking fire from forces in Pakistan. The Pakistani government is now barring... (more...)

Written by Girard Bucello · November 30, 2011  

1. Clashes in Cairo between Police, Protesters. Protesters in Cairo’s Tahrir Square demanded that the leader of Egypt’s military council resign. Dozens of protesters were killed in clashes with police. The Egyptian military took over control of the country after the resignation of longtime... (more...)

Written by Girard Bucello · November 30, 2011  

1. Iran Closer to Nuclear Weapons. Iran rejected a report by the International Atomic Energy Agency (IAEA) suggesting that it was close to acquiring military-grade nuclear technology. The report triggered a strong response from Western leaders, who called for harsher sanctions against Iran.... (more...)

Written by Girard Bucello · November 22, 2011  

For students with learning disabilities, getting an education is a struggle invisible to those around them. Their obstacles aren’t as easy to see as a physical injury. Dyslexia, dysphasia, attention deficit hyperactivity disorder (ADHD) and other disorders, however, can be severely limiting... (more...)

Written by Girard Bucello · November 22, 2011  

Our school has seen years of steady growth in enrollment. Now, WJ is at capacity. Three years ago, the school enrolled 556 students in the freshman class. This year, over 600 freshmen are enrolled in the class of 2015, 50 to 100 students above county projections for the year. Though the school... (more...)

Written by Girard Bucello · November 19, 2011  

1. Prime Ministers of Greece, Italy Resign Over Debt Crisis. Greek Prime Minister George Papandreou resigned on Wednesday after forming a coalition government in parliament with members of opposition parties. The resignation comes a day after Italian Prime Minister Silvio Berlusconi announced... (more...)

Written by Girard Bucello · November 8, 2011  

On Oct. 28, no pumpkin at WJ was safe. Not from art students, who mutilated the gourds to resemble the faces of monsters. Not from tech ed students, who built elaborate catapults and trebuchets to fling pumpkins across the length of the football field. And not from student volunteers who skipped... (more...)

Written by Girard Bucello · November 7, 2011  

1. Greece Could Undermine Eurozone Bailout. Greece announced that it planned to hold a referendum on its bailout package, offered by members of the European Union in exchange for budget cuts. The Greek Prime Minister later said that he was prepared to drop plans for a referendum, but not before... (more...)

Written by Girard Bucello · November 2, 2011  

1. Earthquake in Turkey Kills Nearly 590. A 7.2 magnitude earthquake leveled 970 buildings in eastern Turkey, killing 366 people and injuring over 4,000 others. The epicenter of the earthquake was about 12 miles from the city of Van. Rescue efforts were complicated by the scale of the damage,... (more...)

Written by Girard Bucello · November 2, 2011  

They refer to themselves as “The 99%.” The average Americans. The segment of the population squeezed by a stagnant economy and record unemployment. They’ve adopted the grievance tactics of the Arab Spring: there will be no one-day-only protests. The “Occupy” protesters in New York,... (more...)

Written by Girard Bucello · October 25, 2011  

1. Moammar Gadhafi Killed by Rebels; War in Libya Ends. The 2011 Libyan Civil War came to a dramatic conclusion on Thursday as forces opposed to the ex-leader of Libya overtook the last pro-Gadhafi city of Sirte. Moammar Gadhafi was killed after fierce fighting between National Transitional... (more...)

Written by Girard Bucello · October 19, 2011  

1. Iran Accused of Attempted Assassination on U.S. Soil. The Department of Justice announced on Oct. 11 that it had disrupted an alleged Iranian plot to assassinate Saudi Arabia’s ambassador to the United States. Manssor Arbabsiar was arrested on Sept. 29 after allegedly paying $100,000 as... (more...)

Written by Girard Bucello · October 15, 2011  

1. Public Sector Workers in Greece Call General Strike. Government employees called a general strike in Greece to protest budget cuts and emergency tax hikes. The austerity measures, they claim, are too severe and will harm the livelihoods of Greek workers. International organizations like... (more...)

Written by Girard Bucello · October 4, 2011  

1. Anwar al-Awlaki Killed in Yemen. An American-born Islamic cleric and al-Qaeda leader, Anwar al-Awlaki, was killed by a U.S. drone strike in Yemen. Supposedly, President Barack Obama personally ordered the killing of al-Awlaki. Al-Awlaki had a major influence in radical Islamist circles,... (more...)

Written by Girard Bucello · September 23, 2011  

1. American Hikers Freed From Iranian Prison. Two Americans who were held in Iran on espionage charges have been released into the custody of the government of Oman. Josh Fattal and Shane Bauer were arrested in 2009 along with Sarah Shourd, who was released in mid-September of 2010. Organizing... (more...)

Written by Girard Bucello · September 19, 2011  

1. Israel Sees Unrest at Embassies in Egypt, Jordan. The Israeli ambassador to Jordan was recalled on Sept. 15 after concerns were raised about a potentially violent protest at its embassy in the Jordanian capital city of Amman. Some essential staff remained at the embassy under the protection... (more...)

Written by Girard Bucello · September 15, 2011  

Ten years ago, thousands of people ran from the World Trade Center and Pentagon. America had been attacked in a way that no one could have possibly imagined. This past Sunday, many of those people returned to the memorials that now mark the places where America had been forever changed. New... (more...)

Written by Girard Bucello · September 9, 2011  

In the heart of New York’s financial district, there’s a hole in the ground, matched by a hole in the skyline above it. Ten years ago, two of the world’s tallest buildings occupied that space. It’s now the focus of America’s pain – especially on this 10-year anniversary of 9/11.... (more...)

Written by Girard Bucello · August 31, 2011  

1. Rebels Surge to Victory in Libya. Six months of violent struggle for control of Libya may be coming to an end. Anti-government rebels entered Libya’s capitol, Tripoli, and effectively unseated the government of Muammar El-Qaddafi.  The sudden victory comes after months of intense fighting,... (more...)

Written by Girard Bucello · June 3, 2011  

  After 12 years of learning, it’s strange to think that one’s college admission is largely based on a four-hour test, such as the SAT or the ACT. Graduation requirements now include four High School Assessments (HSAs), and AP tests are also a common part of our education. So much of our... (more...)

Written by Girard Bucello · June 2, 2011  

It feels almost tragic: on June 28, 2011, the Space Shuttle Atlantis is scheduled to lift off from the Kennedy Space Center in Florida for the last time. It will carry a crew of four, as well as several pieces of cargo, to the International Space Station, but it will carry more: a 34 year legacy... (more...)

Written by Girard Bucello · June 1, 2011  

1. Ratko Mladic Arrested for War Crimes. Ratko Mladic, the highest ranking fugitive indicted for war crimes in the former Yugoslavia, was arrested on May 26 without resistance. He had been indicted by an international war crimes tribunal for his involvement in atrocities during 1995. He was... (more...)

Written by Girard Bucello · June 1, 2011  

When Jayna Murray was assaulted and killed in an athletic store in downtown Bethesda, Montgomery County Police Chief Thomas Manger was quick to say that it was likely “nothing more than a random crime of opportunity.” Even so, the community was stricken with a heart-wrenching mix... (more...)

Written by Girard Bucello · May 23, 2011  

1. Queen Elizabeth Visits Ireland. In the first visit to Ireland by a British monarch in over 100 years, Queen Elizabeth began a four-day trip to the United Kingdom’s closest neighbor on May 17. During her visit, Queen Elizabeth visited the site of the infamous “Bloody Sunday” massacre, when... (more...)

Written by Girard Bucello · May 13, 2011  

It was almost a surreal moment. The President of the United States walked down a red carpet to a podium from which he would announce the death of the most wanted man in the world. Ecstatic crowds wouldn’t wait for the official announcement, gathering on Pennsylvania Avenue to cheer what seemed... (more...)

Written by Girard Bucello · March 8, 2011  

Montgomery County does a lot more than decide on snow days. The federal government might get more attention in the news, but just about everything we use every day is in some way affected by the state or the  county, from where we can park to the water that we can drink. It is difficult to... (more...)

Written by Girard Bucello · March 3, 2011  

The WJ Jazz Ensemble won first place at the Mid-Atlantic Jazz Festival on Saturday, Feb. 19 after a full day of competition. The ensemble competed against schools from across Maryland, Virginia, Pennsylvania and D.C. The Hilton Rockville hosted the earlier parts of the competiton in the hotel... (more...)

Written by Girard Bucello · February 17, 2011  

Eighteen days of protest brought a modern-day dictatorship to its knees in Egypt, but the protests calling for the end to Egyptian President Hosni Mubarak’s 30-year tenure were held far beyond Cairo. On Saturday, Feb. 5, in a sea of signs outside of the Egyptian Embassy in Washington, protesters... (more...)

Written by Girard Bucello · December 21, 2010  

Forget about delays or lost luggage. Nowadays, new screening devices and pat downs are the targets of outrage at airports across the country. When the Transportation Security Administration (TSA) unveiled new screening procedures, the backlash began. The normal crowd of libertarians, privacy... (more...)

Written by Girard Bucello · November 20, 2010  

For the third year in a row, the boys cross country team won the State Championships, ending an incredible season. The girls cross country team also qualified for states and finished eighth. The results from the State Championships crystallize the performances of each team over the course of... (more...)

Written by Girard Bucello · November 12, 2010  

Tyler Clementi’s suicide sends a message far beyond the campus of Rutgers University. His death, tinged with anti-gay bias, sheds light on a number of similar tragedies in other schools: kids harassed to the point where they end up taking their own lives. The psychological impact of harassment... (more...)

Written by Girard Bucello · October 14, 2010  

Both the boys and girls cross country teams competed on Oct. 1 at the Paul Short Invitational  and on Oct. 5, hosting Whitman and Wootton High Schools at Cabin John Park. The boys cross country team outclassed their opposition in both events. The boys team placed first on in the Invitational... (more...)

Written by Girard Bucello · October 11, 2010  

With the end to the popular Kids Ride Free Program came predictable outrage from the students, who were used to cost-free transportation. In fact, students are not entitled to free Ride On use, and the consequent debate over the end to Kids Ride Free can only be described as imprudent at best. The... (more...)

Written by Girard Bucello · October 1, 2010  

Ten weeks of summer is a much-needed break from months of school. Still, that doesn’t change the fact that sooner or later, students need to pack their backpacks and return to school. It is better to begin school as it does already, and use the earlier days to transition back to school,... (more...)