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
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
Students push through a swarm of their peers going to and from the portables during the transition from sixth to seventh period. Getting into and out of the building can take up to several minutes.
Life in the portables concerns staff and students
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
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
(Courtesy Wikimedia Commons)
Artificial intelligence clashes with education
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
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
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
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
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
Megan Raue heads toward the finish with a strong push ahead of her opponents. She sprints to the end, eventually obtaining a new personal record.
Megan Raue’s long-distance journey in WJ sports
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
Senior Sofia Silberfeld sets the ball to senior Ariel Mazor. Silberfeld recently passed 1,000 career assists. (Courtesy Tyler Shores via Lifetouch)
Setting new records: Silberfeld hits 1,000 career assists
Varsity cheer drills their routine on Tuesday, Sept. 24 to prepare for their Invitational at Long Reach High School on Oct. 9. The team has been working on sharpening their technique since the start of the season. “I would say everyone is striving to be better and to get what they have to get," Head Coach Vanessa Barnes said. "A lot of them are pushing themselves to get where they need to go."
Cheer jumps into preparation for their first seasonal Invitational
'The Cup' to bring new competition to all school sports
‘The Cup’ to bring new competition to all school sports
Billie on the street
Billie on the street
Becca's Closet returns to WJ
Becca’s Closet returns to WJ
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
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
The official student newspaper of Walter Johnson High School

The Pitch
The official student newspaper of Walter Johnson High School

The Pitch
Anna Zucconi

Anna Zucconi, Online Sports Editor

Senior Anna Zucconi is excited to participate in her first year with the pitch as an Online Sports Editor. In addition to writing for the Pitch, Anna enjoys going to the beach and playing lacrosse.

All content by Anna Zucconi
Senior Carly Gilder attempts to tag out a Blair runner. The Wildcats lost against the Blazers 11-10 in extra innings, one of only three losses this season.

Softball sweeps conference opponents

Seyun Park and Anna Zucconi
April 26, 2024
Senior captain Sami Rosenberg sets up to pitch against the Churchill Bulldogs on Tuesday, April 9. The Wildcats beat the Bulldogs 10-2 with Rosenberg striking out 11 batters. (Courtesy Lydia Stelnyk)

Softball knocks Barons out of the park, doubles down on Bulldogs

Anna Zucconi, Online Sports Editor
April 10, 2024
Team captain and starting pitcher Sami Rosenberg lifts the region champion plaque over her head as teammates celebrate. WJ softball won its region in 2023, a feat the team hopes to repeat this year.

Spring Sports Previews

Seyun Park, Anna Zucconi, Joshua Singer, Lily Tapparo, Hillevi Schine, Mateus Bouquet, Jeremy Silberglied, Elizabeth Finn, Cecilia Saltzman, Michelle Kim and Mackenzie Norris
March 20, 2024
Seniors Noah Diamond and Aubrey Colwell play with the child development students during their transition period. The children get to have free time in between the high schoolers classes as a way to help transition them.

Wildcats pursue potential career path through early learning program

Anna Zucconi, Online Sports Editor
March 8, 2024

Pitch Picks: Super Bowl LVIII Predictions

Lily Tapparo, Joshua Singer, Audrey Ring, Mateus Bouquet, Mackenzie Norris, Anna Zucconi and Elizabeth Finn
February 2, 2024
Freshman starter Mira Mann makes a play to pass the ball to cutter junior Naamiah Corke. Mann became a starter and asset to the team quickly into her first season.

Girls basketball rebounds against Magruder

Anna Zucconi, Online Sports Editor
February 1, 2024
Wildcats secure wins all week

Wildcats secure wins all week

Anna Zucconi, Online Sports Editor
January 30, 2024
The girls varsity basketball team have a team huddle before their game against the Walt Whitman Vikings. The Cats lost the game 51-29 on Friday, Jan. 5.

Cats fall to Vikings, rebound against Gladiators

Anna Zucconi, Online Sports Editor
January 12, 2024
Sophomore Evie Avillo takes a team photo with her individual team from her Swedish 2008 National Camp. Avillo spent four days in Sweden to pursue a dream she's been working towards for her whole soccer career.

Soccer prodigy Avillo scores training experience

Anna Zucconi, Online Sports Editor
December 15, 2023
The junior powderpuff team from 2022 takes a team photo after the win against the senior class of 2022. This was the final year that powderpuff was held as the event ended due to injuries occurring.

Annual Powderpuff football game should come back

Anna Zucconi, Online Sports Editor
December 15, 2023
Sophomore Nora Youssef goes for a layup in the Wildcats home opener against the Richard Montgomery Rockets. The Wildcats lost the game 49-37.

Girls’ basketball falls to Rockets in home opener

Anna Zucconi, Online Sports Editor
December 8, 2023
Winter sports previews

Winter sports previews

Jeremy Silberglied, Anna Zucconi, Mackenzie Norris, Peter Kahrl, Mateus Bouquet and Lily Tapparo
December 5, 2023
Sophomore Haley Prindle makes a forward run to receive the ball from one of the wingers. The Wildcats were playing the Wootton Patriots in a JV game resulting in a 3-1 win for the Wildcats.

JV stars step into varsity spotlight

Anna Zucconi, Online Sports Editor
November 6, 2023
Sophomore Evie Avillo sets up to attack a defender in a one-v-one. Avillo played center mid in the Wildcats game against the Gaithersburg Trojans, winning 8-1.

Athletes strive to bounce back stronger

Anna Zucconi, Online Sports Editor
October 27, 2023
Senior Mary Mercurio walks down the field with her family. Mercurio's favorite memories were paddling boarding and team dinners. Mercurio plans to attend college and major in psychology.

Wildcats field hockey cruises past Warriors, slips past Blazers

Anna Zucconi, Online Sports Editor
October 25, 2023
Freshman Chloe Russ makes an astounding save before playing Mt. Hebron High School in a preseason scrimmage. The Wildcats won the game 3-2.

Freshmen on the rise in varsity sports

Anna Zucconi, Online Sports Editor
October 10, 2023
Senior captain Natalya Krouse waits to support her teammate in a play on the field. Krouse moved the ball up the field with ease almost giving them a goal.

Wildcats fall to Patriots in field hockey

Anna Zucconi, Online Sports Editor
October 3, 2023

Siblings in sports

June 13, 2023
Rosenberg throws a pitch against the Churchill Bulldogs. The game ended in a 7-3 win in favor of WJ.

Samantha Rosenberg: WJ’s next Shohei Ohtani

Anna Zucconi, Online Sports Editor
May 24, 2023
Alum Colleen Klipstein and Abby Bieber dress in spirit at their spring pep rally in March of 2008. Klipstein and Bieber went on to be two star players in that season with strong chemistry on the field, prior to her untimely death years later.

Alum and coach reflects on life after losing her best friend

Anna Zucconi, Special to the Pitch
February 27, 2023
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