The official student newspaper of Walter Johnson High School

The Pitch
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
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
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 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?
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 they're rejected, they're not alone. "I'm scared I'll be rejected from the schools I will apply to, so it's comforting to know I wouldn't 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 Wildcats make a statement entrance as they prepare to take on Richard Montgomery. WJ would go on to win the game 53-22.
Fall Sports Previews
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 John's 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
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
Liann Keren

Liann Keren, Online A&E Editor

Liann is a senior and she is the Pitch's Online A&E editor. In her free time, she enjoys reading pop culture articles and doing yoga with candles.
All content by Liann Keren
Zoien Hall, Ciella Koebi and Kayla Jones (left to right) pose for an American Eagle photo shoot. This was the third American Eagle shoot Borissow had photographed.

Fashion Club rocks boho chic in its newest partnership with Altar’d State

Liann Keren, Staff Writer
April 11, 2023
SlumpMadi looks out into a crowd of flashing light and cheers. His set at Pain 1999 was his official live debut.

“All Time Low” becomes all time high in SlumpMadi’s onstage debut

Liann Keren, Online A&E Editor
February 27, 2023
A flyer posted to @wj_earthquakefundraiser on Instagram. Students have coordinated with the social studies department to collect money in classes during the week of Feb. 13. The proceeds will go to The Red Crescent, a humanitarian organization.

Students unite to aid victims of Kahramanmaras earthquake

Liann Keren, Staff Writer
February 13, 2023
Users can type and submit their questions and prompts and watch ChatGPT type out its response. ChatGPT has the capacity to write anything, from a poem about flying kittens, to a letter for a loved one, to instructions on how to undo a stuck zipper.

ChatGPT ignites concern, discussion on its implications for human writing

Allison Xu and Liann Keren
January 17, 2023
WJ alum Tim Kurkjian was enshrined in the Montgomery County Sports Hall of Fame in December.

WJ: A year in review

Joshua Singer, Liann Keren and Seyun Park
December 21, 2022
A Hanukkiah (Hanukkah Menorah) perches in the foreground of a cluster of glistening trees. In December, three major holidays are celebrated: Christmas, Hanukkah and Kwanzaa. However, in the past and recently, the US hasn't done a good job in representing the diverse communities of people it prides itself on representing.

Think we can branch out this Holiday Season?

Liann Keren, Online A&E Editor
December 21, 2022
The auditorium stage where "The Twilight Zone" will be performed has a room below it for storage. Every school production has been performed on this stage, as it houses hundreds of seats and has an immense amount of storage.

WJ S*T*A*G*E pushes past obstacles, opens Twighlight Zone despite setbacks

Liann Keren, Online A&E Editor
December 2, 2022

An exclusive look: School Psychologist shares a day in her life

November 2, 2022
On Oct. 21, Taylor Swift released her tenth studio album "Midnights" two months after its initial announcement. Yet again, Swift dazzled in both marketing and creative aspects.

‘God rest my soul’ because Taylor Swift just killed me

Liann Keren and Zsuzsanna Juhasz
November 2, 2022
High school seniors face immense levels of stress during application season, especially with the task of the college essay. For the past six years, the English department has neglected to pursue an organized strategy to help all seniors with this difficult task. It's time to make a change.

Teachers helping with college essays: inequitable or unorganized?

Liann Keren, Staff Writer
September 23, 2022
Olivia Wilde and her star-studded cast pose on the red carpet at the world premiere of "Don't Worry Darling," at the Venice International Film Festival. In the past several months, the film has been at the center of celebrity drama — likely an attempt to stir up publicity for the film, which is set for release on Sept. 23.

An avid movie-goer’s scoop on “Don’t Worry Darling” preceding its release

Liann Keren, Staff Writer
September 22, 2022
Graph of MoviePass membership over time, in thousands.

AMC and Regal offer $3 movies

Liam Dorrien and Liann Keren
September 15, 2022
"Nope" (2022)

The Pitch selects the most highly anticipated movies of the summer

Liann Keren, Staff Writer
June 16, 2022
The Hotel Nantucket by Elin Hilderbrand

Dive into the most highly anticipated books of summer 2022

Liann Keren, Staff Writer
May 26, 2022

Interviewing the class of 2023 SGA officers

Liann Keren, Meron Berhe and Nicole Weaver
May 16, 2022

MCPS news blurbs: contact tracing and community officers

Liann Keren, Staff Writer
May 2, 2022
A poster advertising The 94th Academy Awards, or The Oscars. This prestigious award show has been around since 1928. Some predict it is losing traction and will soon become irrelevant to the general public.

Students react to Oscars comeback

Liann Keren, Staff Writer
April 8, 2022
Get off the internet and stop self-diagnosing

Get off the internet and stop self-diagnosing

Liann Keren, Staff Writer
April 3, 2022
Junior Isaac Malka hikes Har Arbel (a mountain in Israel) alongside his study-abroad classmates.

WJ students globalize: a trip to the world

Liann Keren, Staff Writer
March 21, 2022
Actress Brie Larson is called ¨annoying,¨ a ¨show-off,¨ and an ¨upstart,¨ while actor Ansel Elgort is called ¨brave,¨ ¨strong,¨ and ¨out-going.¨

Why does Hollywood hate women?

Liann Keren, Staff Writer
February 16, 2022

The Pitch’s Guide to a Romantic Valentine’s Day

Liann Keren, Staff Writer
February 10, 2022

Pitch Food Review: Pike & Rose Hotspots

Alexandra Jernell, Catherine Prado and Liann Keren
February 4, 2022
MCPS students march to demand transition to virtual learning

MCPS students march to demand transition to virtual learning

Liann Keren, Staff Writer
January 26, 2022
Taylor Swift sings her bridge in the SNL skit, "Three Sad Virgins" alongside Pete Davidson. Swift appeared as a guest on the show the night after "Red (Taylor's Version)" dropped. Her appearance on such a well-known talk show exposes "Red (Taylor's Version)" to wider audiences.

Taylor Swift: “America’s Sweetheart” becomes tactical entrepeneur

Liann Keren, Staff Writer
December 13, 2021
4

Spotlight Artist of the issue: senior Graysin Oh becomes published Webtoon artist

Liann Keren, Staff Writer
November 15, 2021
A student attempts to remain caught up in self-isolation while their classmates continue learning in the physical environment.

Students struggle to keep up with 10 day quarantine

Liann Keren, Staff Writer
November 15, 2021
Five anonymous game-runners stand over the two buttons that players press to determine if they want to keep playing "The Game." Players must play "The Game" until the end unless the majority press the green button to agree to finish it.

How Squid Game became Netflix’s most viewed show in under a month

Liann Keren, Staff Writer
October 29, 2021
One edition of "Dune." Yellow and orange colors alternate to mimic the look of the sandy Earth dunes.

Denis Villaneuve disappoints in 2021 “Dune” adaptation

Liann Keren, Staff Writer
October 27, 2021
A student rushes to finish their AP Physics exam. After an over 50% failure rate, the spotlight is on whether or not passing rates will decrease.

Returning AP students face new hurdles

Liann Keren, Staff Writer
October 18, 2021

WJ Pitch investigates the anonymous and new student-run social media accounts

Nicole Weaver and Liann Keren
October 7, 2021
Girl in the Blue Coat by Monica Hesse.

WJ students’ top 2021 Reads

Liann Keren, Staff Writer
May 6, 2021
Senior Abby Matson sews facemasks to distribute during the coronavirus pandemic. Matson has sewn about 400 facemasks in total.

Making the impossible, possible (#PandemicSeniors2021)

Niki Mallik and Liann Keren
March 15, 2021
A slide included in the meeting slideshow. A brief introduction was made about “The Art of a Shot” before going into the common shots and angles seen in a film.

Spotlight: Film Club

Liann Keren, Staff Writer
January 19, 2021
A map depicting the prevalence of COVID-19 by county in Maryland. As the virus spreads across Maryland and the rest of the United States, businesses have to adapt their practices to accommodate social distancing and at-risk individuals.

What will the country look like in four months?

Liann Keren, Staff Writer
June 27, 2020
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