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
Sophomore captain Alina MacDermott charges toward the 12-meter fan against the Raider defense. Battling through injury, MacDermott scored two goals in the loss.
Photo gallery: Wildcats’ historic run ends against Leonardtown
Emily Proger, Print Sports Editor • Jun 8, 2026
The CatLaxKillas celebrate after defeating B-CC 10-3 on May 11 to capture the region championship.
Girls’ lacrosse surges into state semifinals after dominant playoff run
Emily Proger, Print Editor-in-Chief • May 15, 2026
Hurd announces retirement, to step down October 2026
Hurd announces retirement, to step down October 2026
Jeremy Silberglied, Print Editor-in-Chief • May 5, 2026
Junior captain Nousha Motamedi serves the ball to the Wootton Patriots. The Cats would go on to defeat the Patriots, earning their first win of the season. (Courtesy Deb Boardley via Lifetouch)
Co-ed volleyball bounces back after rough start to season
Jay Resnik, Online Editor-in-Chief • Apr 22, 2026
Latest in Print
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News
James Mulhern III was arrested for allegedly recording girls inside of a changing room on April 16. Since the original arrest, the case has been moved to circuit court, and the WJ community has been coping with the shock of the aftermath. (Courtesy Montgomery County Public Information Office)
Mulhern case moves to circuit court; WJ community reacts in the aftermath
Becca Dodek, Orit Vainstein, Dea Krasniqi, Jay Resnik, Jonathan Bahat and Meher Parsinni
This message was displayed to users immediately after Canvas was hacked. (Courtesy Canvas)
Canvas shut down due to global cyber attack
Kareena Panicker, Print News Editor
Leul Dawit was elected 49th Student Member of the Board on Wednesday, April 22. He will be the first Northwood student to hold the position since 1978 and the first junior to hold the position since 2016. (Courtesy MCPS)
Leul Dawit elected 49th SMOB
Jay Resnik, Online Editor-in-Chief
School is supposed to be a safe space for children to learn, but threats like those at Whitman disrupt learning environments and endanger student lives. (Courtesy Edward Johnson via Wikimedia Commons)
Whitman faces shooter threats
Bryce Morrison, Staff Writer
Copy machine issues persist through school year
Gavin Tribble, Print News Editor
WJ staff member arrested after videos found of female students in school changing room
WJ staff member arrested after videos found of female students in school changing room
Meher Parsinni, Jonathan Bahat and Jay Resnik
Meet the Staff
Marie-Isabelle Nachega
Marie-Isabelle Nachega
Print Managing Editor & Illustrator
Senior Reflections
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Distinguished Sites Banner
WJ Sports
(Courtesy Liam Snow)
Senior captain Ella Reynolds fields a groundball hit by third base. Her performance at that position is vital to the Wildcat infield. (Courtesy WJ Softball)

Benjamin Spratt, Senior Sports Editor

Sophomore pitcher Sam Grimley converses with catcher senior Sam Weston on the mound in their game against Wootton. The Cats went on to win 8-2. (courtesy Liam Snow)
The Boys Junior 8 poses for a picture after their first race in the 2026 Scholastic National Rowing Championship Regatta. They went on to win their next semi-finals race and make it to the Grand Finals. They are currently ranked 6th in the nation. (Courtesy WJ Cre)
New Era in Boys' Basketball
Brooks dribbles up the ball as a point guard in a home game. Brook's responsibility as a point guard cannot be overstated, as he has to set the tone for the other players on the court. "The next development in Carter's career and for basketball would be his leadership skills. As the point guard, it's an extension of the head coach, so it would be really important for him to kind of develop those skills more." (Courtesy Carter Brooks)
Brooks elevates WJ basketball, leads team to new era
Jeremy Silberglied, Print Editor-in-Chief • Mar 26, 2026
Photos
Spring colors and smoke permeate Wildcat field as spectators watch various athletes spring into action in various events. The weather for this meet was perfect, as temperatures around 70 degrees had runners working up a sweat while not overheating them. However, hard work from volunteers manning the grill had the unintended consequence of making it slightly harder for athletes to catch their breath as they had to take in the smoky air.
WJ girls lacrosse lines up shoulder to shoulder before their game against Whitman, focused and ready as they prepare to take the field together. The Wildcats were able to pull away from the Vikings, winning 9-8.
A paper cup filled with pins for mounting artwork sits beside a stunningly realistic depiction of a blue eye, created by junior Melin Öztürk of AP 2D Art and Design class. The piece uses a 3D torn paper effect, creating a striking sense of depth that catches the attention of each passerby.
Videos
Which teachers are WJ students most grateful for?
Hanna Vernenkar and Leila Singer
A lens into photography
Amelia Wagner, Maia, Dan and Masyn Durant
Weather


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June 15
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Patchy rain nearby
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Last day of school
Happy summer WJ!
Feature
The WynGate Washers use their high efficiency tools to complete a car detail in a quick manner. Washing cars has been profitable for the company. (Courtesy Alessandro Galdzicki)
An inside look at the Wyngate Washers
Graeme Pearce, Print News Editor
Sophomore Owen Altman keeps the Hack Sack up off his ankle before his lacrosse game. Many athletes play Hacky Sack with their teams before games and practices. (Snowy Shoots)
Return of the Hackeysack
Ethan Pletter, Online Sports Editor
WJ commitment day 2026
Meher Parsinni, Online Managing Editor
A before-and-after comparison of a jaw surgery procedure. Viewers of Clavicular are encouraged to take such measures to boost their facial symmetry and angularity.
Inside looksmaxxing, the newest and most dangerous cosmetic trend
Josh Zelermyer, Print News Editor
Arts & Entertainment
A piece by Ashton Hyer explores the ambiguous aspects of identity through the depiction of gender-affirming surgery scars intertwined with symbolic plant imagery. Using growth and nature as metaphors for transformation and self-discovery, Bryan explains, “Plants became a way to visualize the parts of myself that are still, changing everyday” (Courtesy Ashton Hyer)
Photo gallery: AP art students’ final projects
Nila Amin, Staff Writer
In the early 20th century, the phenomenon of “song of the summer” developed alongside the introduction of the radio and records, according to CNN. Today, artists jockey for their song to be the seasonal anthem.
Searching for the song of the summer
Nora Seiden, Print A&E Editor
Senior members of the French Honor Society receive their senior cords. French Honor Society is hosting the international night event.
Cats prepare for trip around the world
Vania Charo, Online A&E Editor
Spring Chorus Concert 2026
Mona Al-Rasheed
Opinion
A colorful mural of superstar Lionel Messi rests on the walls of a Buenos Aires building. This was one of many murals I saw during my trip.
We need to bring more art to our area
Jonathan Bahat, Online Editor-in-Chief
(Courtesy Katherine Roux via Flickr)
AP Human Geography is not what you think it is
Mira Mann, Online Sports Editor
The first page of the AP Psychology exam, an extremely popular exam at Walter Johnson High School. Stress is high, nerves are up. Begin. (Courtesy Alton via Wikimedia Commons)
Budget for AP tests is being wasted
Leila Singer, Print Opinion Editor
Students analyze roller coasters such as this one in order to study physics forces. Field trips like this one to Hershey Park allow students to connect what they learn in the classroom to real world systems such as these rides. (Courtesy Min An via Pexels)
School without walls: the educational promise of field trips
Graeme Pearce, Print News Editor
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