The official student newspaper of Walter Johnson High School

The Pitch
Walter Johnson High School students learn AP Human Geography during fourth period in Chris Merrill's class. They listened to a lecture and took notes.
MCPS to cover AP exam costs for second straight year
(Courtesy Lightspeed Systems)
MCPS jumps into Lightspeed
MCPS initiates new policy regarding the quarterly progress checks. This new change affects impacts final student grades in common subjects. (Courtesy Gordon Lee - Substack)
Progress checks initiate new policy
District 3 Board of Education member Julie Yang converses with WJ Principal Nicole Morgan. The two discussed many topics, including the large number of portables at WJ, and the future plans for Woodward and WJ High Schools.
Board member Julie Yang visits WJ
Language teacher Maria Cavallini instructs her 3A Spanish class. Cavallini’s high level Italian classes were cut along with other electives. Advanced Italian students have been left to learn on their own or drop the language.
Montgomery County cuts $30 million from school system
There is a rise in teenagers using e-cigarettes compared to last year, the percentage of sophomores using vapes doubled to 16%. It was becoming more of a problem in schools, causing MCPS to implement vape detectors. (Courtesy Flickr)
Stopping the smoke: vape detectors to be added to high school bathrooms
The Student Advisory Board organizes WJ's international week each year. This showcases different cultures from around the world and gives students a taste of various heritages. (Courtesy Essil Ezzoug)
Student advisory board creates a more inclusive WJ environment using students’ voices
Many students choose to study independently for standardized tests instead of participating in courses, such as those at Capital Educators, C2 Education or Everest. Khan Academy, an education website run by the College Board, is a fantastic tool for independent SAT or ACT preparation.
Standardized tests bounce back to college admissions
The Multicultural Club discusses their plans for the year. Cultural clubs are one of the best ways to form relationships with other students.
Cultural clubs create community
Senior Simone Bacon works on her Common App questions while preparing to submit her early action applications. Bacon hopes to major in marketing.
Why do people really go to college?
Freshmen participate in the fall pep rally’s tug of war. After winning against sophomores, freshmen went on to compete against juniors. “I couldn’t believe we lost against freshmen,” sophomore Dea Krasniqi said.
Class of 2028 jumps into a new start
Computer science teacher Mike Livermore addresses a student's raised hand in the 4th period class on Sept. 9. This is Livermore's first year teaching at WJ. "I've taught adults and I've taught young ones, but I've never taught at a public school at any level, only small private schools," Livermore said.
Mike Livermore joins computer science department
Short n’ Sweet debuted at No. 1 on the Billboard 200 chart songs like "Please Please Please," "Expresso" and "Taste." Short N Sweet is Sabrina Carpenter's 7th studio album. (Courtesy Genius)
Sabrina Carpenter is short and sweet
The entrance to the AMC at Westfield Montgomery. This theater offers some screenings from time to time of older movies.
Re-released movies renew attention to cinema
Every September the NBA 2K franchise releases a new version of the game ahead of the upcoming year. The games usually have new features and updates to keep players coming back for more. (Courtesy The Prospector)
NBA 2K25 Review: Is the game worth $80?
The movie poster for the adaptation of Colleen Hoover's bestselling novel "It Ends With Us". The movie stars Blake Lively as Lily Blossom Bloom, Justin Baldoni as Justin Baldoni and Brandon Sklenar as Atlas Corrigan. (Courtesy IMDb via Fair Use)
It Ends With Us: Movie adaptation causes controversy
"Inside Out 2" introduces new emotions to add to the original five. The film surrounds a bunch of emotionable topics for teens, such as anxiety, one of the new emotions.
“Inside Out 2” portrays everyday teenage problems
The newest "Despicable Me" movie, "Despicable Me 4," was released this July. This film is the sixth installment in the series, which is composed of the "Despicable Me" movies and the "Minions" prequels. (Courtesy Goodfon)
The “Despicable Me” franchise, ranked
The AP program allows students to gain experience with taking college level courses. Popular AP courses here at WJ include AP Computer Science Principles and AP United States Government & Politics.
Ranking WJ’s most popular AP classes
Teachers Katherine Simmons and Nathaniel Schwartz instruct during lunch in room 130. Both are co-directors of the APEX Reach Program and teach a variety of courses in the social studies field. The two have made necessary changes to the program with the increasing population of WJ students.
Is it beneficial to participate in the APEX Program?
Students return to school after enjoying their open lunch in G-Square. Returning to school with a lack of choice has become a daily routine at WJ.
‘Pay and Go’ rule creates more problems than it fixes
A sign at Walter Johnson indicates that students can only move down stairwell S03. However, students often ignore such direction moving as they please.
Point/Counterpoint: The ups and downs of getting to class
School + Extracurriculars + Job = Burnout
School + Extracurriculars + Job = Burnout
The WJ Step Team readies themselves to perform one of their iconic numbers at the 2024 Fall Pep Rally.
Pep rallies should include JV sports
Seniors Ellie Weinstein and Naamiah Corke celebrate their win over the Northwood Gladiators with an final score of 34-0.
Photo Gallery: Flag Football vs Northwood
Senior Francisca Siboni clears the ball up the sidelines for a defensive stop. The Cats ended the game 5-3 against Holy Cross in a controlling win.
Field Hockey wins back-to-back games to start season
Junior Alessandro Marenco chases after a loose ball. Despite a game-tying goal, the Cats ended up losing to QO in overtime. (Courtesy Roy Rozin)
Boys’ soccer opens season 3-3, faces tough upcoming stretch
Junior John Laird warms up for their pre-season scrimmage against Magruder. "I enjoy warmups because it gets everyone hyped and ready to play," Laird said. (Courtesy Johnny Abrams)
Laird rushes back to WJ, football
Junior Daniel Gershon gives a pep talk to Dylan Byrd during the B-CC game last year. Gershon and Byrd were great teammates last season but the star running back recently transferred to Whitman, and will be facing off against Gershon in the Thursday night game.
WJ football set to face former teammate
The girls soccer team lines up before the Oakdale game during the National Anthem. Oakdale ultimately had the upper hand, handing WJ it's first loss of the season. (Courtesy Merrie Gramlich)
Girls’ soccer dealt pair of losses to Oakdale, QO
Homecoming fashion preview
Homecoming fashion preview
Staff spotlight
Staff spotlight
Seniors Ellie Weinstein and Naamiah Corke celebrate their win over the Northwood Gladiators with an final score of 34-0.
Photo Gallery: Flag Football vs Northwood
#1: Passing the Mic
#1: Passing the Mic
Behind the scenes of concessions’ most hectic night
Behind the scenes of concessions’ most hectic night
Clubs' first meetings
Clubs’ first meetings
The official student newspaper of Walter Johnson High School

The Pitch
The official student newspaper of Walter Johnson High School

The Pitch
Many students choose to study independently for standardized tests instead of participating in courses, such as those at Capital Educators, C2 Education or Everest. Khan Academy, an education website run by the College Board, is a fantastic tool for independent SAT or ACT preparation.

Standardized tests bounce back to college admissions

Elli Karistinou, Print Managing Editor
September 27, 2024
The Multicultural Club discusses their plans for the year. Cultural clubs are one of the best ways to form relationships with other students.

Cultural clubs create community

Meher Parsinni, Photo Editor
September 25, 2024
MCPS initiates new policy regarding the quarterly progress checks. This new change affects impacts final student grades in common subjects. (Courtesy Gordon Lee - Substack)

Progress checks initiate new policy

Maayan Keren, Print Feature Editor
September 23, 2024
Freshmen participate in the fall pep rally’s tug of war. After winning against sophomores, freshmen went on to compete against juniors. “I couldn’t believe we lost against freshmen,” sophomore Dea Krasniqi said.

Class of 2028 jumps into a new start

Sabrina Solares, Online Feature Editor
September 23, 2024
District 3 Board of Education member Julie Yang converses with WJ Principal Nicole Morgan. The two discussed many topics, including the large number of portables at WJ, and the future plans for Woodward and WJ High Schools.

Board member Julie Yang visits WJ

Seyun Park, Editor-in-Chief
September 18, 2024
A sign at Walter Johnson indicates that students can only move down stairwell S03. However, students often ignore such direction moving as they please.

Point/Counterpoint: The ups and downs of getting to class

Finn McArdle and Graeme Pearce
September 17, 2024
Senior Nolan Ross winds up to pitch against Churchill in the playoffs. Ross pitched the 5th inning and came in as a relief pitcher.(Courtesy Nolan Ross)

Baseball hits triple with Division III commits

Seth Stein, Online Sports Editor
September 17, 2024
Senior Hannah Schmidt prepares to take a shot in a preseason game this year against Einstein. The Wildcats prevailed against the Titans with a score of 5-1. (Courtesy Hannah Schmidt).

Divison III-bound: Schmidt commits to Kenyon College

Lena Sbaschnig, Diversity, Equity and Inclusion Editor
September 13, 2024
There is a rise in teenagers using e-cigarettes compared to last year, the percentage of sophomores using vapes doubled to 16%. It was becoming more of a problem in schools, causing MCPS to implement vape detectors. (Courtesy Flickr)

Stopping the smoke: vape detectors to be added to high school bathrooms

Gabby Davids, Layout and Design Editor
September 12, 2024
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