The official student newspaper of Walter Johnson High School

The Pitch
Students exit WJ after school on Tuesday, Oct. 1. Exiting through the front door in the afternoon often involves waiting in a long line. “We got way too many kids here; it’s ridiculous,” freshman Veer Anand said.
WJ surpasses 3,000 students for first time
A ballot box sits just outside of the WJ school building in May, right before the 2024 primary election. Ballot boxes like this will be used by many WJ seniors this November to cast their votes for the first time.
WJ students share opinions, take action before 2024 election
Denmark students and teachers from Fredrica High School come together to pose for a photo alongside WJ administrators and student ambassadors. The photo was held in the commons after everyone enjoyed their pizza-provided lunch.
WJ welcomes Danish students
The Pinstripes building in Pike and Rose featuring its outdoor terrace. Pinstripes is in the middle of a popular outdoor shopping center close to WJ. (Courtesy Wikimedia Commons)
Prom to be held at Pinstripes
Instagram announces 'built-in protections' for teen accounts
Instagram announces ‘built-in protections’ for teen accounts
Newly built Woodward High School, currently occupied by Northwood High School, sits empty after a long September school day. The building's construction recently concluded, allowing it to be used for this school year.
Woodward’s building opens for Northwood
From the left: Ellie Macfarlan, Charlotte Kuperstein, Alice Frank, Olivia Crawford, Lucia Kanazir, and Daniele Perez. They all intend to attend Homecoming again this year and have fun
Students plan for Homecoming
Karen Generose reviews practice sentences with her Latin Two students. Each day Generose teaches five different levels of Latin.
Language teachers cope with packed classes
Michael Laukaitis explains a calculus concept to students during lunch. He has always made himself available for help outside of class, something many students appreciate.
Behind mathematical maestro Michael Laukaitis
(Courtesy Hildi Altman)
Homecoming: Is it best to go with a date or friends?
A line of students stretches far past the door at Flippin' Pizza, an almost daily occurrence during the school year. Inside, employees work hard to quickly serve their customers.
G Square, Wildwood employees react to start of school year
Internship coordinator Emily Fleisher leads an internship meeting in the auditorium. Check-ins like this are one of the ways Fleisher has added more structure and guidance to this program.
Putting the work in Work Based Learning: behind the modified internship system
The VMA's is an annual Video Music Award ceremony hosted in the month of September. The award show was available for fans around the world to tune in and watch their favorite artists get the chance to receive many outstanding awards. (Wikimedia Commons)
Performance ranking of the VMA’s
Bradley plays at the Global Strings Program at Berklee College of Music. She learned about several different styles of music and got a chance to perform them live, last summer. (Courtesy Alice Bradley)
Hard work, passion talent compose student musician
Sophomores, sisters and Hadestown cast and crew members Kelsee (left) and Kylee (right) Solt-Linville never get bored of one another and can be found socializing together throughout the school.
Acting in harmony: Balancing the demands of school and theater
Leads Yuri Sternberg, Sasha Rotton and Mason Lee rehearse lines. Preparations for the play require a mix of running lines and blocking scenes.
WJ STAGE tackles “The Brothers Grimm Spectaculathon”
The woman poses for her fall photo shoot in an outfit she found inspiration for on Instagram. She wore ripped jeans, a jacket and statement sneakers, showing how the trends from the early 2010s have continued for years. (Courtesy PickPik)
Flipping through fall fashion trends
Senior Hal Fischer plays bass for his band The Haze. Fischer is excited to play with The Haze at BabyCat again once the other members return. (Courtesy Sam Deichman Caswell)
Fischer’s soundtrack: Senior finds harmony across instruments
WJ students sit in the school's library in the morning. There are already many students, with even more coming to study for upcoming tests or relax before the school day.
Classes should be made longer for WJ students
I visited the German government in Berlin with fellow exchange students from America. Our presidential election was frequently debated and I was often asked about my political beliefs.
Looking back on my year abroad in Germany
Is PDA too public in schools?
Is PDA too public in schools?
Students begin a practice Kahoot for French class. Walter Johnson offers a total of six languages including American Sign Language, Chinese, Italian and more, giving students the opportunity to explore different languages and cultures. “I switched [from Spanish] to Latin freshman year and I love it,” junior Abigial Samuels said.
Beat the American stereotype, stick with your language class
Pitch Opinion: It's time for The Juice
Pitch Opinion: It’s time for The Juice
Students, especially seniors, respond to the new AP exam no-show fee policy of MCPS. The policy requires those who do not attend an exam to pay $40.
Students shouldn’t pay for exams they don’t take
The team poses for a photo before beginning their tour with Johnson. The Cats were given a full tour of the University of Maryland football facilities. "My favorite part of the tour was getting to meet players from the actual team. They were all so nice and we got to take pictures with them," senior Mimi Dietrich said.
Photo Gallery: Girls’ flag football visits UMD
The Change-Up: Capitals Edition
The Change-Up: Capitals Edition
The team completes a breathtaking stunt in a pyramid. The high-risk nature of Cheer is always something for the athletes to keep in mind. "Cheerleading is very, very, hard," head coach Vanessa Barnes said. It's one of the most dangerous sports. A lot of people don't know that because it's overlooked, but it is very difficult. Any minute, someone can be dropped from all the way up in the air. That's probably one of the things I would think people need to know about cheerleading."
Photo Gallery: Cheers first competetion
Cats bounce back, beat undefeated school rival
Cats bounce back, beat undefeated school rival
Seniors Ellie Weinstein and Naamiah Corke celebrate their win over the Northwood Gladiators with a final score of 34-0.
Ellie Weinstein makes history as first WJ flag football quarterback
Senior captain Ella Hoban attempts a free kick, which was awarded to the Wildcats after a foul on junior Haley Prindle. The Wildcats took down reigning state finalists Montgomery Blair 2-0 on Monday. (Courtesy Lifetouch)
Girls’ soccer defeats Churchill, Blair, looks towards challenging matches
Up at bat: Length of classes
Up at bat: Freshmen Homecoming
The team poses for a photo before beginning their tour with Johnson. The Cats were given a full tour of the University of Maryland football facilities. "My favorite part of the tour was getting to meet players from the actual team. They were all so nice and we got to take pictures with them," senior Mimi Dietrich said.
Photo Gallery: Girls’ flag football visits UMD
Healthy relationships 101
Healthy relationships 101
The Change-Up: Capitals Edition
The Change-Up: Capitals Edition
The team completes a breathtaking stunt in a pyramid. The high-risk nature of Cheer is always something for the athletes to keep in mind. "Cheerleading is very, very, hard," head coach Vanessa Barnes said. It's one of the most dangerous sports. A lot of people don't know that because it's overlooked, but it is very difficult. Any minute, someone can be dropped from all the way up in the air. That's probably one of the things I would think people need to know about cheerleading."
Photo Gallery: Cheers first competetion
The official student newspaper of Walter Johnson High School

The Pitch
The official student newspaper of Walter Johnson High School

The Pitch
All content by Ali Jawetz

Ask Ali: Scared of Leaving

Ali Jawetz, Online Editor-in-Chief
May 20, 2012

Ask Ali: Legally Misinformed

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May 17, 2012

Sweetlife Fest Falls Victim to Rain and Cold

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May 4, 2012

Why Racism is Still an Issue in 2012

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March 31, 2012

Cyberbullying at WJ: The Unfortunate Truth about HSMemes.com

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March 23, 2012

AP Registration Lines Take Over the Commons

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March 17, 2012
Catch-Up with Dr. Garran: Video Interview

Catch-Up with Dr. Garran: Video Interview

Jenny Deutsch, Print Feature Co-Editor
February 24, 2012

Ask Ali: Frustrated Friend

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February 16, 2012

Ask Ali: Dr. Grits Carren

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February 15, 2012

Gender Equity: Women’s Plight in Politics

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January 30, 2012

Wildcat Book and Movie Reviews

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January 17, 2012

Ask Ali: Daddy Issues

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January 16, 2012

Ask Ali: Rejected

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December 21, 2011

Ask Ali: Apathetic & Lost

Ali Jawetz, Online Editor-in-Chief
December 7, 2011

Boys Soccer State Championship Recap

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November 28, 2011
Eight Years Later: Remembering Movies Released in 2003

Eight Years Later: Remembering Movies Released in 2003

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November 21, 2011

Ask Ali: Love Triangle Issues

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November 18, 2011
Ask Ali: New and Friendless

Ask Ali: New and Friendless

Ali Jawetz, Online Editor-in-Chief
November 3, 2011
WJ STAGE Diary of Anne Frank

WJ STAGE Diary of Anne Frank

Ali Jawetz, Online Editor-in-Chief
October 25, 2011

Joon’s “Jeopardy” Journey

Ali Jawetz, Online Editor-in-Chief
October 20, 2011

Ask Ali: Articulately Challenged

Ali Jawetz, Online Editor-in-Chief
September 26, 2011

Ask Ali: Trying to Find Balance

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September 22, 2011

Ask Ali: Stuck in the Friend Zone

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September 14, 2011

What Are Your Summer Plans?

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June 1, 2011
Ali's Summer Playlist

Ali’s Summer Playlist

Ali Jawetz, Online News Editor/Print Copy Editor
May 23, 2011
Government HSA Requirement Nixed, Test Will Still Be Administered

Government HSA Requirement Nixed, Test Will Still Be Administered

Ali Jawetz, Online News Editor/Print Copy Editor
May 17, 2011
Every 15 Minutes: A Close Look at its Resounding Effects

Every 15 Minutes: A Close Look at its Resounding Effects

Ali Jawetz, Online News Editor/Print Copy Editor
April 28, 2011
"Black Plague" Sweeps the Nation

“Black Plague” Sweeps the Nation

Ali Jawetz, Online News Editor/Print Copy Editor
March 20, 2011
Charlie Sheen: 'I've Got Tiger Blood, Man'

Charlie Sheen: ‘I’ve Got Tiger Blood, Man’

Ali Jawetz, Online News Editor/Print Copy Editor
March 10, 2011
Spreading the Word to End the 'R-Word'

Spreading the Word to End the ‘R-Word’

Ali Jawetz, Online News Editor/Print Copy Editor
March 9, 2011

The Petty Parking Permit Process

Ali Jawetz, Online News Editor/Print Copy Editor
February 15, 2011
Ali’s Top 5 Albums of 2010

Ali’s Top 5 Albums of 2010

Ali Jawetz, Online News Editor/Print Copy Editor
January 20, 2011
The Tenure Dilemma

The Tenure Dilemma

Ali Jawetz, Online News Editor/Print Copy Editor
January 5, 2011

National Science Competition Honors WJ’s Finest

Ali Jawetz, Online News Editor/Print Copy Editor
November 8, 2010
Obama on 'The Daily Show': A Personal Account

Obama on ‘The Daily Show’: A Personal Account

Ali Jawetz, Online News Editor/Print Copy Editor
November 3, 2010
Bonnie Bassler of Princeton Speaks to Science Students

Bonnie Bassler of Princeton Speaks to Science Students

Ali Jawetz, Online News Editor/Print Copy Editor
October 14, 2010

WJ Alum Killed in Hit-and-Run

Ali Jawetz, Online News Editor/Print Copy Editor
October 4, 2010
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