• The Pitch staff is on summer break and will resume publishing in September
  • The first day of school is Monday, August 26
  • Have a great summer!
The official student newspaper of Walter Johnson High School

The Pitch
Dr. Thomas Taylor, the Board of Educations 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
Chronicling GW’s pro-Palestine encampment
Chronicling GW’s pro-Palestine encampment
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 its 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 theyre rejected, theyre not alone. Im scared Ill be rejected from the schools I will apply to, so its comforting to know I wouldnt 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 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 Johns 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
The 2024 EURO trophy in FC Koln’s stadium in Cologne, one of the 10 host stadiums at the tournament. (Courtesy Raimond Spekking)
Looking ahead at the 2024 Euros
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
Caleb Kasten

Caleb Kasten, Staff Writer

Caleb Kasten is a staff writer. He is a senior and enjoys watching sports.
All content by Caleb Kasten
I plan to watch with family and friends and root for the underdogs because Maryland already lost. -Evie Avillo, 9

Up-At-Bat: What are your March Madness plans?

Caleb Kasten, Staff Writer
March 28, 2023
This bathroom is one of the only private bathrooms in the school which many students take advantage of to avoid the drama in the other bathrooms. This is located near the auditorium.

Security monitoring bathrooms creates discomfort

Caleb Kasten, Staff Writer
March 9, 2023
One of few Southwest airplanes that was able to takeoff during winter break. The company caused many delays, cancellations and overall chaos.

Widespread Southwest cancellations disrupt winter break plans

Caleb Kasten and Peter Kahrl
January 17, 2023
Senior Nik Avillo stops for a picture while skiing at Heavenly Mountain in California. Avillo enjoyed skiing more than snowboarding as you can see the poles in hand and skis on feet.

Skiing vs Snowboarding: Which is more popular at WJ

Caleb Kasten, Staff Writer
December 21, 2022
Aaron Judge trots after hitting one of his 62nd homers in the regular season. Judge is the favorite for AL MVP for the 2022 season.

Who will win? Students predict the upcoming MLB awards

Caleb Kasten, Staff Writer
November 10, 2022
Netflixs new hit show, Dahmer, sparks controversy over whether this show should have been created. Many viewers have said they felt the show is insensitive to the victims families and shouldnt have been created at all.

Point/Counterpoint: Does ‘Dahmer’ raise awareness or create controversy?

Caleb Kasten and Peter Kahrl
October 31, 2022
Senior Patrick Adams flies a plane as a part of his flight program. Adams plans to get his pilots license by the spring, so he can apply to a college with a Navy ROTC program to continue his flight training.

From classroom to cockpit: senior takes his abbreviated schedule to the next level

Caleb Kasten, Staff Writer
October 25, 2022
A student arrives too late to get a parking space. This student was forced to park on the side of the road.

Parking lot mayhem causes frustration

Caleb Kasten, Staff Writer
September 22, 2022

People of WJ at Graduation

Andrew Plotnick, Luke Liden, Alex Wolfson and Caleb Kasten
June 14, 2022
Thomas Bryant yelling after ending the Wizards game with a win and played the game of his life. He covered many of his spreads in this game.

Illegal addiction: Students bet on sports games

Caleb Kasten, Staff Writer
June 13, 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
Junior captain Seba Sani jumps up for a spike to help his team add points to their score. Sani helped WJ win this game to add to their impressive record.

Seba Sani takes his talents to Long Beach

Caleb Kasten, Staff Writer
May 16, 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
Tom Brady announced his un-retirement from football through social media on March 13th. The news have caused many reactions in the NFL world and the WJ hallways.

Students reactions to Tom Brady unretiring

Caleb Kasten, Staff Writer
March 29, 2022
Netflix has been a popular TV medium among WJ students for years, being considered the original streaming service. But with the rise of competing streaming services, Netflix has lost a lot of beloved content and, consequentially, a lot of fans.

How WJ students are watching TV in 2022

Caleb Kasten and Jack Stashower
March 29, 2022
Alabama head coach Nick Saban shouts at his players during their practice, preparing for last seasons playoffs. Despite hopes by many, college football playoffs will not be revamped next year.

Should the CFB playoff structure change?

Caleb Kasten, Staff Writer
March 3, 2022
The start of March brings excitement for March Madness. Students enjoy making brackets and eagerly follow the tournament.

Students excitement builds as March Madness approaches

Caleb Kasten, Staff Writer
March 3, 2022
Walter Johnson students show their school spirit in a varsity basketball game against the Wooton Patriots. After recent Covid-caused rule changes, students are no longer able to attend sporting events.

WJ winter sports seasons are in jeopardy

Caleb Kasten, Staff Writer
January 31, 2022
Senior Zeke Ross is running in a meet and trying to pace himself so his team can win the competition. Ross reflection about bieng on cross country is Being in xc is all about being with your friends and pushing your body further than you think you can.

Seniors experience their last sports season

Noel Haptemariam and Caleb Kasten
January 11, 2022
Junior CJ Newman speaks with school counselor Ashley Weddle. They discuss new classes for next year and how they can fit into his schedule.

New classes offered for 2022-2023 school year

Caleb Kasten, Staff Writer
December 20, 2021
Bardia Hormozi was shocked when he saw the blocked screen after searching up Cool Math games. He was finished with his classowork and was looking to do something to kill time.

Reactions to coolmath games being blocked

Caleb Kasten, Staff Writer
November 12, 2021
Students visit their counselors in this part of the building. This is where all the schedule changes get made for students.

WJ students rethink course choices

Caleb Kasten, Staff Writer
October 12, 2021
The WJ student section represented the school at Churchill with a white out theme. The students were loud and proud as the Wildcats prevailed from a deficit.

How WJ students feel about the return of sports

Caleb Kasten, Staff Writer
September 27, 2021
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