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
Annabella Opipari

Annabella Opipari, Online Arts and Entertainment Editor

Senior Annabella Opipari is excited to be the Online A&E Editor in her first year on The Pitch. When she isn't writing stories or completing schoolwork, she loves to read, listen to vinyl, hang out with her dog and play guitar.

All content by Annabella Opipari
In early March, the Missouri House of Representatives saw a bill that would ban ectopic pregnancies, which occur when the fertilized egg implants somewhere other than the uterus. This bill was just one of many to be introduced introduced in states in an effort to severely restrict abortion.

Missouri’s ban on ectopic pregnancy abortions was illogical and oppressive

Annabella Opipari, Online A&E Editor
May 6, 2022
In early January, McMinn County, TN's school board voted to pull "Maus" from its curriculum. However, this ban has ironically helped "Maus" commercially-- it instead soared to second place on Amazon's overall bestseller list, demonstrating how book bans can potentially be ineffective or even backfire.

Banning books is a threat to our society

Annabella Opipari, Online A&E Editor
March 28, 2022
When students returned to school for the second semester, many of them had to deal with brand new schedules. These new schedules included both new class times and new teachers, and students disagree on whether these schedule switches are actually beneficial.

Point/Counterpoint: Is changing teachers every semester beneficial or convenient?

Nour Faragallah and Annabella Opipari
February 15, 2022
One of Hollywood's most well-known shows, the Golden Globes took place on January 9. Despite being broadcast in years past, the event wasn't televised at all this year, relying on social media to announce winners.

What’s the deal with the Golden Globes?

Annabella Opipari, Online A&E Editor
January 26, 2022
Released November 24, 2021, "House of Gucci" stars Lady Gaga and Adam Driver as Patrizia Reggiani and Maurizio Gucci respectively. "House of Gucci" was filmed in Italy, and is the second film in which Gaga has played a major role, with the 2018 remake of "A Star is Born" being her first.

“House of Gucci” bewilders and bedazzles in a glamorous romp through the family’s downfall

Annabella Opipari, Online A&E Editor
January 10, 2022
Many students at WJ express unhealthy connections to celebrities. These manifest in a variety of ways, from obsessive factual knowledge to heavy accumulation of celebrity memorabilia.

Students are unhealthily obsessed with celebrities

Annabella Opipari, Online A&E Editor
December 31, 2021
Teachers give too much work in college app season

Teachers give too much work in college app season

Annabella Opipari, Online A&E Editor
November 17, 2021
"Candyman" is Nia DaCosta's second time directing a major full-length film (after 2018's "Little Woods"). The film also features production from Jordan Peele, who is renowned for directing acclaimed horror films "Get Out" and "Us."

“Candyman”: a chilling thriller with new tricks up its sleeve

Annabella Opipari, Online A&E Editor
November 3, 2021
One of two quesadillas that I tried, this al pastor quesadilla (made up of pork and cheese) was the more disappointing of the two, though both were subpar. As one can see from the picture, the quesadillas were almost nauseatingly greasy.

Let’s Taco restaurant review

Annabella Opipari, Online A&E Editor
October 19, 2021
"Red, White & Royal Blue" was published in May 2019 and has won several awards, including the Goodreads Choice Award for Best Romance. It is also Casey McQuiston's debut novel.

Book Review: Red, White & Royal Blue

Annabella Opipari, Online A&E Editor
October 12, 2021
Recognize the watercolor on the cover? Most fans of "The Office" will: it's the piece that Michael buys from Pam during her art show ("Business School"; S3E17), and it depicts the Dunder Mifflin building from an outsider's view. The painting shows up multiple times after this episode during the series, and when the show concluded, the original painting ended up with Jenna Fischer, who played Pam.

Anticipated book releases

Annabella Opipari, Online A&E Editor
September 20, 2021
Arlo Parks’s debut album, “Collapsed in Sunbeams,” was released January 29, 2021. Described as “kind of like bedroom pop mixed with a little bit of indie folk and a little bit of R&B” (Morning Edition), “Collapsed in Sunbeams” has been praised for Parks’s revealing, vulnerable and relatable lyrics.

The best albums of 2021 (so far)

Annabella Opipari, Online A&E Editor
June 13, 2021
Many WJ students explored their own relationship with music during quarantine. Some students expanded their taste and others expressed themselves through playing different instruments.

Students discover new music during quarantine

Annabella Opipari, Special to The Pitch
January 7, 2021
Members of the mock trial club prepare to make their case. There is extensive preparation before each trial.

Mock Trial club begins preparation

Annabella Opipari, Special to The Pitch
November 30, 2020
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