The official student newspaper of Walter Johnson High School

The Pitch
Social studies teacher Mitchell Joy lectures during his AP World History class last school year. While the school policy on students use of phones in class has not changed since last year, many teachers have increased their enforcement of the policy.
Teachers increase phone policy enforcement
Dr. Thomas Taylor, the Board of Education's pick for the next superintendent, stands with members of the Board at the announcement on Monday. Taylor is a graduate of MCPS but has never worked for the district. (Courtesy MCPS News)
Dr. Thomas Taylor to be appointed MCPS superintendent
Incoming SGA plans for successful school year
Incoming SGA plans for successful school year
From left: Junior Honorary officer Skylar Zheng, junior Secretary Alexis Batac, junior President Sareen Papangelou. The officers of the Southeast Asian Union pose in front of a mural in the school. The club will join the school roster for the 2024-2025 school year, and all are welcome.
Southeast Asian Union to bring region’s culture, food to WJ
Film Club members gather around a table at Cabin John Park before the Oscars begin. Months of meetings and film discussions culminate in this special occasion, where students can finally showcase their movie-making abilities. (Courtesy Delina Palma)
Making Scorsese proud: Film Club Oscars strike again
MCPS Board of Education members raise their hands in favor of delaying construction at Woodward and Crown High Schools. The plan specifically calls for delaying auditoriums at both schools until funds are appropriated for their construction.
Live updates: MCPS Board meeting 6/11
Columbia University is one of many schools across the United States where large groups of students have been protesting at.
Columbia protests escalate
Item bought online from "Demons Basement".
What’s wrong with these new online clothing brands?
The human mind is complex and may be a daunting concept for students. (Courtesy Rawpixel)
Why everyone should take AP Psychology
Travis Hunter is one of the most valuable college football players in the country. He moved from Jackson State University to the University of Colorado to join his former coach Dion Sanders. Hunter has an NIL evaluation of $2.7M according to On3.
College sports are ruined
ASL 2 students on the Gallaudet field trip watch their tour guide explain the life of the university’s founder, Laurent Clerc, pictured in the statue to the guide’s left. The tour guide signed in ASL throughout the tour and an interpreter translated his signs into English.
High school field trips benefit students and learning alike
Students sit in rows for very extensive hours as they take exams. This is a common scene all across the US, however in MCPS this sight cannot be found. (Courtesy Pexels)
Point counterpoint: Should there be final exams?
The new movie poster for the upcoming film "Inside Out 2." The poster features existing emotions from it's past film, as well as new emotions such as Anxiety, Envy, Embarrassment, Nostalgia and Ennui.
Inside Out 2: Preview into the realm of new emotions
Zendaya scowls into the lenses of paparazzi on the Met Gala carpet. 2024 was Zendaya’s first year co-chairing the Met as she hadn’t attended the red carpet spectacle in five years. (Courtesy Getty Images)
The Met Gala: rating 2024’s best and worst dressed
Twenty One Pilots "Clancy" review
Twenty One Pilots “Clancy” review
Billie Eilish released her third studio album "Hit Me Hard and Soft," on May 17. All 10 songs on her brand new album were able to make their way up into the Billboard Hot 100. (Courtesy Glenn Francis via Wikimedia Commons)
Billie Eilish: “Hit Me Hard and Soft” most viral tracks
Drake performs on his Summer Sixteen tour in 2016. Along with many other rappers, he was accused of being an industry plant at the beginning of his career. (Courtesy The Come Up Show)
Are industry plants real?
Coming soon: movies coming out in 2024
Coming soon: movies coming out in 2024
Students hard at work during class. Many students struggle with balancing work with play. Students share how they overcome distractions and prioritize their work.
Balance between school life and extracurriculars and athletics
The Oreos have been a classic cookie for generations but which one is the best one? Out of all the different fillings, is there one that stands alone? (Courtesy nicoleleec via Wikimedia Commons)
How much stuf is too much stuff?
Special clubs at WJ to check out
Special clubs at WJ to check out
Sophomore Ahrin Letourneau looks through the College Board website attempting to get information about the SAT and ACT. “I’m feeling scared, petrified to be honest, to be a junior. Summer’s gonna be stressful … and I need to be really thinking about colleges and programs,” Letourneau said.
Previewing the summer by grade
A student reviews the rejection wall. The rejection wall was created to encourage students to know that even if they're rejected, they're not alone. "I'm scared I'll be rejected from the schools I will apply to, so it's comforting to know I wouldn't be the only one," junior Cristina Simpson said.
What summer looks like for rising seniors
From left: Junior Honorary officer Skylar Zheng, junior Secretary Alexis Batac, junior President Sareen Papangelou. The officers of the Southeast Asian Union pose in front of a mural in the school. The club will join the school roster for the 2024-2025 school year, and all are welcome.
Southeast Asian Union to bring region’s culture, food to WJ
The Wildcats make a statement entrance as they prepare to take on Richard Montgomery. WJ would go on to win the game 53-22.
Fall Sports Previews
The WJ Crew team poses for a picture following the Metropolitan Championships. The team had many good races at the tournament, such as the Girls winning the Varsity 4. (Courtesy WJ Crew)
Crew in review: team paddles their way to success
ALL IN THE FOOTWORK: Participants practice their blocking footwork and learn flag football blocking techniques. During the drill, a coach held and moved the ball to one side which participants would have to shuffle over to.
Girls’ flag clinic brings excitement to MCPS
Jonny Venters is one of the only pitchers to ever receive Tommy John's surgery three times. He had the operation performed in 2005, 2013 and lastly in 2014.
Pitchers look to surgery for success
After taking a hard foul, sophomore Norah Youssef takes her first free throw attempt. Youssef sank the shot and added a point to the scoreboard. Youssef had a stunning performance, helping the Wildcats secure the win against Sherwood.
Photo gallery: Summer league basketball
(Courtesy Seattle Parks and Recreation)
Pickleball volleys into WJ this fall
Public Transportation Safety Podcast
Public Transportation Safety Podcast
Up at bat: Duolingo streaks
Up at bat: Duolingo streaks
What is your special talent?
After taking a hard foul, sophomore Norah Youssef takes her first free throw attempt. Youssef sank the shot and added a point to the scoreboard. Youssef had a stunning performance, helping the Wildcats secure the win against Sherwood.
Photo gallery: Summer league basketball
Physics classes visit Six Flags
Siblings Podcast
Siblings Podcast
The official student newspaper of Walter Johnson High School

The Pitch
The official student newspaper of Walter Johnson High School

The Pitch
Alan Gahart

Alan Gahart, Staff Writer

Alan Gahart is on his 2nd year on the Pitch. He hails from Kensington, Maryland.

All content by Alan Gahart
Varsity soccer takes advantage of a second chance at a season, getting to play an abbreviated schedule in the spring.

Fall, spring athletes get second chance

Alan Gahart, Staff Writer
June 15, 2021
Alabama won yet another national championship under head coach Nick Saban, continuing their unbelievable run of success.

Why college football needs to change

Alan Gahart, Staff Writer
March 5, 2021
The most recognizable athlete to ever come out of Montgomery County celebrates on the podium after winning a gold medal. Katie Ledecky won four gold medals in the games.

Best professional athletes to come from around moco

Alan Gahart, Staff Writer
December 21, 2020
Washington Football Team players celebrate one of Antonio Gibson's three touchdowns in a Thanksgiving day win over Dallas.

Washington Football Team inches closer to the NFC East crown

Alan Gahart, Staff Writer
December 16, 2020
For a few months, empty stadiums were the new normal. Some leagues are trying limited fans while abiding by the guidelines set by the CDC.

Fans at sporting events during COVID-19

Alan Gahart, Staff Writer
November 12, 2020
As the college application season continues, Cincinnati hopes to capitalize on a stellar football season. The Bearcats have yet to lose a game and are squarely in the College Football Playoff conversation.

College sports culture

Alan Gahart, Staff Writer
November 12, 2020
Sophomore Dan Avillo checks his fantasy football lineup on Sunday morning before the games start. WJ fantasy football leagues surface every fall, bringing friends together to compete for cash prizes.

Fantasy football leagues take action during NFL season

Alan Gahart, Staff Writer
October 11, 2020
Commissioner Rob Manfred has been criticized harshly across the MLB and the wider sports world for not coming down on the Astros harder. On February 18, Lebron James tweeted, "Listen I know I don’t play baseball but I am in Sports and I know if someone cheated me out of winning the title and I found out about it I would be [expletive] irate!”

Astros cheating scandal headlines MLB offseason

Alan Gahart, Staff Writer
February 20, 2020
Colin Kaepernick looks on after throwing his third pick of the game in 2016 against the Buffalo Bills.

Why Kaepernick shouldn’t get another shot

Alan Gahart, Staff Writer
December 12, 2019
The nation's #1 overall recruit was suspended 12 games for a violation of NCAA rules

College basketball preview

Alan Gahart, Staff Writer
December 6, 2019
The XFL attempts to reboot behind entrepreneur Vince McMahon. The first go around is considered a failure by most.

New football league materializes, set for spring 2020 debut

Alan Gahart, Staff Writer
November 12, 2019
Christian Mccaffrey gets loose for a week six divisional tilt in London against the Tampa Bay Buccaneers.

Mid season NFL recap

Alan Gahart, Staff Writer
October 28, 2019
Boys varsity soccer huddles up pregame. They look to get to the old heights set by the 2016 state championship team.

Field congestion creates problems for fall sport

Alan Gahart, Staff Writer
September 27, 2019
College basketball players such as the ones here in The Xfinity Center at the University of Maryland generate large revenue but don’t get paid. Following the injury of Duke star Zion Williamson, debate over whether college athletes should be paid sparked up again.

Should college athletes be paid by the NCAA?

Thomas Wolfson and Alan Gahart
March 8, 2019
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