The official student newspaper of Walter Johnson High School

The Pitch
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
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
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
Time to break the ice: best to worst icebreakers
Time to break the ice: best to worst icebreakers
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 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 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?
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
MCPS’ Summer RISE program aims to provide students with work experience before graduating high school. “I worked with ‘Girls with Impact’...it was kind of entrepreneurial and that’s what I want to get into,” junior Alexis Batac said. (Courtesy MCPS)
Students elevate college applications with ‘Summer RISE’
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
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
The Year of the Coach recognized Thomas Martin, one of WJ's most decorated coaches, during the first week of school.
The Year of the Coach: MCPS coaches receive recognition
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
Co-captains Connor Kim and Paul Gomes walk across the golf course during a practice. Both players gave impressive performances in their match on Sept. 3. (Courtesy Paul Gomes)
Golf comes out swinging with win over Clarksburg, Damascus
Senior Ginger Fishberg dribbles the ball into the attacking half, with junior captain Evie Avillo approaching behind her. (Courtesy Spencer Robinson)
Girls’ soccer dominates Poolesville in shutout win
Barons hold Cats in final minutes
Barons hold Cats in final minutes
Behind the scenes of concessions’ most hectic night
Behind the scenes of concessions’ most hectic night
Clubs' first meetings
Clubs’ first meetings
Barons hold Cats in final minutes
Barons hold Cats in final minutes
Assistant Principals Jeff Leaman and Terry Heintze, dressed up as Gru for Despicable Me day, mimic the movie villain's iconic pose.
Photo gallery: Spirit Week
Freshman Owen Struzzerio winds up for his shot on Hole #12 a par 3. While Struzzerio's shot did not reach the green, he got up and down for par from a disadvantaged position.
Photo gallery: Golf starts out swinging
A group of seniors triumphantly celebrate their class' victory in the class tug-of-war. It is the fourth consecutive year the seniors have won the fall tug-of-war.
Photo gallery: Fall Pep Rally
The official student newspaper of Walter Johnson High School

The Pitch
The official student newspaper of Walter Johnson High School

The Pitch
Andrew Plotnick

Andrew Plotnick, Staff Writer

Senior Andrew Plotnick is one of the Staff Writers for the Pitch. He also holds the position of senior class president.
All content by Andrew Plotnick
Andrew Plotnick's senior reflection

Andrew Plotnick’s senior reflection

Andrew Plotnick, Online Sports Editor
May 24, 2023

WJ’s face off against Whitman in the first round of states

Audrey Ring and Andrew Plotnick
May 23, 2023

Inside the Den: Weekly Sports Recap Feb 6th-10th

Andrew Plotnick and Sanir Byanjankar
February 14, 2023

Inside the Den: Icecats preview for first playoff game

Andrew Plotnick and Sanir Byanjankar
February 10, 2023

Inside the Den: Weekly Recap Jan 30th-Feb 3rd

Andrew Plotnick and Sanir Byanjankar
February 10, 2023
Sports betting is the newest and most popular way of gambling in America with states such as Maryland legalizing it.

Sports betting legalized in Maryland

Luke DeZee and Andrew Plotnick
January 27, 2023
Rockspring Cafe was a very popular spot among students. Often times all of the seating was taken and students would be forced to eat on the sidewalk or take out.

Looking back at the closing of Rockspring Cafe

Andrew Plotnick, Staff Writer
January 27, 2023
The fall JV baseball team discusses the previous inning in the dugout in their fall league game at Povich Field. Though not an official team sanctioned by MCPS, the Wildcats compete against other county and club teams.

WJ sport’s biggest secret: The story behind the Wildcat offseason teams

Andrew Plotnick, Joshua Singer and Blake Bailey
January 25, 2023
Senior captains Ava Franke and Gianna Relacion fly in the air at the county competition at Montgomery Blair High School on Oct. 29. WJ cheer had many stunts that sent their cheerleaders flying in the air at this competition.

WJ Cheer advances to regionals despite Homecoming conflict

Andrew Plotnick, Online Sports Editor
November 4, 2022
WJ cheer excites fans at the first home game of the year. They make sure to get the student section hyped at every game.

Cheer strives for greatness

Andrew Plotnick, Online Sports Editor
October 3, 2022

People of WJ at Graduation

Andrew Plotnick, Luke Liden, Alex Wolfson and Caleb Kasten
June 14, 2022

The People of WJ challenge

Andrew Plotnick, Alex Wolfson, Luke Liden and Caleb Kasten
June 8, 2022

People of WJ interrupt AP exams?

Alex Wolfson, Andrew Plotnick, Luke Liden and Caleb Kasten
June 7, 2022

People of WJ: The Health Fair

Alex Wolfson, Luke Liden, Andrew Plotnick and Caleb Kasten
June 6, 2022

People of WJ 3: Students “Pushing P”

Alex Wolfson, Caleb Kasten, Luke Liden and Andrew Plotnick
May 18, 2022
Enzo Yamasaki standing on the podium after a great fight. Yamasaki has won many matches throughout his jiu jitsu career.

Enzo Yamasaki is taking the jiu jitsu world by storm

Andrew Plotnick, Online Sports Editor
May 13, 2022

People of WJ: Episode 2

Alex Wolfson, Caleb Kasten, Andrew Plotnick and Luke Liden
May 12, 2022

People of WJ: Prom edition

Alex Wolfson, Andrew Plotnick, Luke Liden and Caleb Kasten
May 5, 2022
Sprinter Itay Yanay heads off with an explosive start to the 100-meter race. Yanay has been improving every meet this season.

Track Sets to Make Nationals Third Season in a Row

Andrew Plotnick, Online Sports Editor
March 31, 2022
Senior Jack McGuire goes up for a contested fadeaway jump shot against Churchill in the 2nd round of the playoffs. WJ lost the game 68-55, but McGuire finished with a team-high 16 points.

WJ’s strong season comes to a tough halt

Andrew Plotnick, Online Sports Editor
March 4, 2022
Senior Ari Kefer uses his brute strength to take down his opponent. Kefer contributed to a great WJ performance in this match. WARNING: Image may contain graphic, violent images!!!

Wrestlers pin down physical strains to achieve success

Andrew Plotnick, Online Sports Editor
February 9, 2022
From left to right: Seniors Jack McGuire, Jackson Van Wagener and Immanuel Harper line up for the singing of the national anthem. They went on to lead the team to a victory over Northwood on Tuesday, Dec. 14.

Basketball’s long awaited return

Andrew Plotnick, Online Sports Editor
December 17, 2021
Bardia Hormozi rushes past Churchill's defenders to get to the ball first and take a shot. WJ won the game 3-1 with 2 goals from Hormozi. Hormozi often uses his exceptional speed to beat defenders.

Bardia Hormozi’s long journey to success

Andrew Plotnick, Online Sports Editor
November 16, 2021
The cheer team hypes up the crowd at an away football game. From left to right, Gigi Elizabeth, Ava Franke, Tati Rivero, and Laura Mata. WJ cheer does this at every game and is a big reason why WJ has the best student section in the county.

Funding for Cheer and Poms Raise Concerns

Andrew Plotnick, Online Sports Editor
November 15, 2021
WJ soccer players stand eager on the sideline ready to play as they wait for the whistle against Clarksburg. From left to right, Sammy Gramlich, Dan Avillo, Jose Gutierrez, Will Dash, Thomas Poliseno, Bardia Hormozi, Fernando Ibarra, Nik Avillo. WJ ended up beating Clarksburg 2-0.

Boys soccer undefeated in State play

Andrew Plotnick, Online Sports Editor
October 21, 2021
WJ soccer huddles up prior to the 2021 season. They finished with a 3 game win streak last season and look to keep it up.

Boys Soccer set to make another championship run

Andrew Plotnick, Online Sports Editor
September 27, 2021
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