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
Dylan Schmidt

Dylan Schmidt, Print Sports Editor

Dylan is a Print Sports Editor for the Pitch this year. This is his second year on the Pitch and he also runs cross country and track for the school.
All content by Dylan Schmidt
Senior captain Seba Sani spikes the ball over a Wootton blocker in the first matchup between the teams. Sani had an incredible senior season, leading the team to the county finals.

Seba Sani spikes his way to glory

Dylan Schmidt, Print Sports Editor
May 24, 2023
Senior captain Seba Sani spikes the ball against Wootton. The team has looked strong throughout the season with the lone loss so far coming against one seed Churchill.

Boys volleyball closes out regular season with 10-1 record

Dylan Schmidt, Print Sports Editor
May 8, 2023
Senior Joe Morris sets the ball for senior Guy Saltsman to spike. The team went on to win 3-2 against Wootton High School

Boys’ volleyball improves to 6-0 with tightly contested victory over Wootton

Dylan Schmidt, Print Sports Editor
April 17, 2023
Senior outside hitter Jagger Yung serves the ball in the match against Richard Montgomery. The team went on to win 3-1, starting their season off on the right track.

Boys’ Volleyball’s seeks revenge after losing in county final last year

Dylan Schmidt, Print Sports Editor
March 28, 2023
Senior Enzo Yamasaki celebrates his victory over Jacob Speed from Crofton High School in the fifth place match. He won four of his last five matches after losing in the opening round, finishing his season off strongly.

Enzo Yamasaki caps off impressive season with fifth place finish at states

Dylan Schmidt, Print Sports Editor
March 8, 2023
Senior Enzo Yamasaki wrestles at the 4A West Regional Championship. He went 4-1, finishing third place in his weight class.

Wrestling team continues to dominate with four qualifying for states

Dylan Schmidt, Print Sports Editor
March 2, 2023
Senior Enzo Yamasaki throws down a wrestler in the third place match. Yamasaki has been a key component of the wrestling team's success this season.

Wrestling team qualifies eight individuals for regionals

Dylan Schmidt, Print Sports Editor
February 24, 2023
Sophomore Zachary Wray pins a wrestler from Northwood. He went on to win this match before falling in the second round.

Wrestling team loses in region quarterfinals, prepares for varsity counties

Dylan Schmidt, Print Sports Editor
February 16, 2023
Sophomore Hudson Barrett pins a wrestler from Northwood. Barrett won his matchup and was one of the key contributors to the massive victory.

Wrestling team continues recent successful stretch, routs Northwood 76-6

Dylan Schmidt, Print Sports Editor
February 3, 2023
Senior Enzo Yamasaki wrestles against his opponent from Richard Montgomery. He was declared the winner by pin, contributing six points to the Wildcats.

Wrestling team dominates RM and Seneca Valley, loses to Northwest

Dylan Schmidt, Print Sports Editor
January 31, 2023
With the early start time for school, students think of ideas to wake themselves up and get ready for a seven hour school day filled with learning. Despite these well-thought out methods, some students are still caught sleeping in class.

Students try creative ways to wake up in the morning

Dylan Schmidt, Print Sports Editor
January 26, 2023
Sophomore Dylan Schoen wrestles against his counterpart from Quince Orchard. He won his match after pinning the wrestler, contributing six points to the Wildcats' slight victory.

WJ Wrestling defeats Quince Orchard 40-39 after winning tiebreaker criteria

Dylan Schmidt, Print Sports Editor
January 24, 2023
Junior Emma Matalia pins a wrestler from Montgomery Blair. The dual meet took place Wednesday, Jan. 18, with Matalia winning her match up.

WJ hosts first ever all women wrestling dual meet match in MCPS history

Dylan Schmidt, Print Sports Editor
January 20, 2023
Senior Alex Alfelor wrestles against Kennedy High School. He is one of the leaders on the team and a very important wrestler.

Wrestling team dominates Kennedy, finishes fourth at the Mad Mats invitational

Dylan Schmidt
December 16, 2022
The golf team warms up before day one of states. The team missed out on advancing to the finals, but had two individual golfers qualify.

Dimitri Townsend, Fannie Sukhumparnich finish top ten at golf state tournament

Dylan Schmidt, Print Sports Editor
November 21, 2022
The student section cheers on the football team as they face BCC. Only students from the participating schools are allowed to attend athletic events unless they have a chaperone with them.

Do students feel safe at athletic events?

Dylan Schmidt, Print Sports Editor
October 19, 2022
Freshman Elizabeth Martin lines up the shot. She went on to score a 61 in the first match as the Wildcats won by 8 strokes.

Golf team stays undefeated after recent match

Dylan Schmidt, Print Sports Editor
September 29, 2022
Varsity field hockey practices at Tilden Middle School. The team has become accustomed to practice off campus as there is limited turf field time available for sports.

Construction messes up sports teams practices

Dylan Schmidt, Print Sports Editor
September 28, 2022
Senior Andrew Schell runs in the 3200 meter race at States. He finished in fourth place and ran a time of 9:27.

Boys track finish 5th, girls team has impressive performances

Dylan Schmidt, Staff Writer
June 16, 2022
The Nationals celebrate their 2019 World Series Championship. Since then, they haven't made the playoffs and haven't had a season over .500.

Reactions to the first month of the MLB season

Dylan Schmidt, Staff Writer
May 11, 2022
Duke coach Mike Krzyzewski draws up a play for his team during a timeout. Duke went on to win 61-58 against Virginia.

Recap of March Madness

Dylan Schmidt, Staff Writer
April 22, 2022
US ski racer Mikaela Shiffrin shares her thoughts on the Black Lives Matter Movement. She gave the speech on June 10, 2020 in response to the murder of George Floyd.

Athletes should continue to use their platform to speak out on social issues

Dylan Schmidt, Staff Writer
March 24, 2022
Joel Embiid shoots a free throw against the Washington Wizards. He went on to score 35 points in the 76ers loss.

NBA MVP race remains a tight battle

Dylan Schmidt, Staff Writer
March 7, 2022
Cooper Kupp celebrates with his teammates after a big play. Kupp went on to have 5 catches for 66 yards as the Los Angeles Rams beat Washington Football Team 30-10

How Cooper Kupp overcame the odds to become the best wide receiver in the NFL

Dylan Schmidt, Staff Writer
March 3, 2022
Kobe Bryant shoots over the outstretched arm of Washington Wizards defender Marcin Gortat. He went on to score 29 points as the Lakers lost 111-95 to the Wizards on December 3, 2014.

Kobe Bryant inspired new generation of NBA athletes

Dylan Schmidt, Staff Writer
February 18, 2022
Load More Stories
Donate to The Pitch
$56
$500
Contributed
Our Goal