The official student newspaper of Walter Johnson High School

The Pitch
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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
The seating chart debate at WJ
The seating chart debate at WJ
Finn McArdle, Senior Opinon Editor • Oct 3, 2025
Students gather at lunchtime with their friends and discuss the events of the day. High school students seem to stick to their allotted lunch spots. "We've been sitting in that spot since freshman year and we keep coming back," junior Misha Anderson said.
Cliques or Connections: differences between high school and college Social life
Dea Krasniqi, Staff Writer • Oct 3, 2025
Students with 504 plans might have accommodations such as extended time, preferential seating, assistive technology, or flash passes to counseling. According to WJ teacher John Roller, The number of students with 504’s in each class might range from three to 12.
504 plans at WJ: equity or imbalance?
Orit Vainstein, Feature Editor • Oct 3, 2025
Music teacher Michael A Helgerman sits on his podium at lunch. Many students come to eat, practice their instruments and ask questions during this period.
A different tune plays in the music department
Vania Charo, Online A&E Editor • Oct 3, 2025
Students in Elizabeth Muehl's AP Human Geography begin their 3-minute break after learning about the Demographic Transition Model (DTM). The exam is set for May 5, 2026.
MCPS announces that it will pay for 2026 AP exams
Ivan Duchkov, Staff Writer • Sep 25, 2025
Latest in Print
News
The AC runs unevenly across the building. In English teacher Alexia Remy's classroom, mornings and afternoons are hot, making it harder to teach while eight months pregnant.
Fridge or sauna? Unpredictable AC inconsistencies trouble staff, students
Sophia Roach, Speciality Editor
The "Enhanced" ACT will be the standard moving forward. Students who have already taken the updated version reported enjoying the test more. (Courtesy Sophia Roach via Canva)
ACT adjusts format for the first time in 20 years
Bea Roberts, Online Editor-in-Chief
Sophomore Jackson Nathan leaves class with a physical hall pass after his teacher accepts his digital one via Synergy. Upon approval, security guards can now see that Nathan has exited class and is on his way to his destination, the lower floor restrooms.
WJ passes on old system, implements digital hall arrangement
MCPS breaks down the academic program analysis into six steps. This timeline factors in time for design, feedback and implementation.
MCPS plans to overhaul academic programs for equity and accessibility
Kareena Panicker, Print News Editor
Meet the Staff
Karen Cedillo
Karen Cedillo
Photography Editor
Decorative Background
Upcoming Games
Walter Johnson HS
Blake HS (Home)
Oct 4 /10:00am / Boys Soccer
Walter Johnson HS
Blake HS (Away)
Oct 4 /10:00am / Girls Soccer
Walter Johnson HS
Paint Branch HS (Home)
Oct 6 /6:00pm / Field Hockey
Walter Johnson HS
Magruder HS (Home)
Oct 6 /6:30pm / Girls Volleyball
Walter Johnson HS
Gaithersburg HS (Home)
Oct 7 /7:15pm / Girls Soccer
Walter Johnson HS
Churchill HS (Away)
Oct 7 /6:00pm / Flag Football
WJ Sports
Senior Alessandro Galdzicki celebrates his late goal that gave WJ the win against B-CC. (courtesy Max Rueda)
Freshmen soccer stars Malena Fabregat, Elena Dugan and Ella Amir pose for media day. Entering their freshmen season side by side these girls are ready to make their mark on the high school pitch.
Junior Gabby Buggs swiftly dodging the Barons defense with ease, leading the team to get a first down. Buggs was making solid runs the whole night, giving WJ more possession with the ball.
Senior captain Abby Bruskin attempts to clear the zone and set up the Wildcat's offense against B-CC. Bruskin picked up an assist on the only WJ goal of the game, as the Wildcats fell to the Barons 2-1 in 2OT while falling to a 1-6 record.
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 girls' team gets off to a strong start together at Georgetown Prep's Woodward Relays. Although not a true 5k, this was the Cats' first meet of the season and crucial for them to get off on the right foot.
Senior Emmanuel Marquez-Castro runs with Boys' Baseball's state championship banner. The baseball team received a warm welcome after their win last May in Maryland's 4A state championship.
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
Assistant Principal Brett Imamura oversees student transition. Though Imamura made the switch from middle school to high school just this year, he says the work is quite similar. "At the end of the day it's supporting your students and their safety," Imamura said.
Admin changes bring new and familiar faces
Michal Shmaya and Marie-Isabelle Nachega
Spanish teacher Mara Ponce assigns the class a new activity to enhance their grammar skills. Ponce assigned group and independent work to help students learn the material.
World Languages: A learning experience or a scam?
Leila Singer, Print Opinon Editor
Senior Varsity Girls Soccer Captain Evie Avillo presents the senior players at the Spring pep rally. The girls decided to go with the Smurfs theme, with each grade dressing as a different Smurfs character.
New pep rally rules aim to end freshman “hazing” traditions
Yael Saltsman, Staff Writer
A herd of students gather in the G floor girls' bathroom before second period. Some squeeze through to wait for an open stall while others gossip and a smoke break, unconcerned by the presence of vape detectors.
Bathrooms remain smoke-filled despite vape detector installment
Gabby Davids, Layout and Design Editor
Arts & Entertainment
Taylor Swift performing on the Eras Tour during her 1989 set. The Eras Tour traveled to a total of five continents worldwide. (Courtesy Google Images)
Ushering in a new era: Taylor Swift announces new album
Elanor Saybolt, Online A&E Editor
Students select Homecoming dresses to try on at Windsor. The Westfield Montgomery Mall is a popular destination for people to find their Homecoming dresses, as it has multiple stores with a variety of dress options.
Homecoming dress guide: Finding the perfect dress
Becca Dodek, Print Feature Editor
Labubu figurine shows off a brand new Owala and PARKE sweatshirt. Students have become infatuated with Labubus, hanging them in their cars and on their bags.
Tackling today’s trends
Henry Haskell, Online A&E Editor
The Change-Up: Pros and Cons of Depop Resellers
The Change-Up: Pros and Cons of Depop Resellers
Hanna Vernenkar, Podcast Editor
Opinion
A letter to the editor from your bus driver and attendant
A letter to the editor from your bus driver and attendant
Saeed Damadi, Special to the Pitch
The play Romeo and Juliet features multiple interesting scenes. The play has been read by WJ students for the 2024-2025 school year.
“Romeo and Juliet” isn’t a good read for English class
Simon Lynn, Copy Editor
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
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