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
Luke Liden

Luke Liden, Print Editor-in-Chief

Luke Liden is one of the Print EICs (Editor-in-Chief) and loves creating the print editions of The Pitch. He also loves sports, especially at WJ!
All content by Luke Liden
A student checks their phone for updates and numbers for their bets. Online sports betting and other methods of sports betting are prevalent amongst many high schoolers.

Bookies: The underground of high school sports betting

Luke Liden, Print EIC
June 13, 2023
“[It was] kind of [beneficial], I don't think a lot of students are really comfortable with talking to adults most of the time.” Clifford Hubbard, 9.

Up at bat: Are SOS lessons beneficial to students?

Luke Liden, Print EIC
March 26, 2023
Senior captain Ethan Birndorf lines up for a faceoff against Marriotts Ridge. The Icecats went on to win the game in style, 12-1.

Icecats blaze trail towards state championship

Luke Liden, Print EIC
February 24, 2023
The Icecats line up for a faceoff in their defensive zone against Whitman. The banners picturing all of the senior Icecats are hanging behind the glass for their senior night.

Icecats enter county playoffs as the team to beat

Luke Liden, Print EIC
February 7, 2023
Junior assistant captain and left wing Brendan Klotz controls the puck in the Icecats' defensive zone. The Icecats have continuously had success breaking out of the defensive zone and quickly shifting into offensive attacks.

Icecats rocket to first place

Luke Liden, Print EIC
January 4, 2023
Icecats swarm Alex Chang to celebrate in front of a full crowd decked out in black. Even though they were in the process of killing off a penalty, Chang was able to put one past BCC's goalie.

Early goals propel Icecats to victory over Barons

Luke Liden, Print EIC
December 10, 2022

Luke Liden chats with the Icecats before and after BCC’s funeral

Luke Liden, Print Editor-in-Chief
December 3, 2022
Senior and captain Ethan Birndorf picks up his stick after laying the boom on a Churchill player. The crowd's energy was off the charts and contributed to a more physical affair.

Icecats eruptive offense brings hope for states

Luke Liden, Print EIC
November 30, 2022

Nikita Farshinyov bikes through a day of BMX

Luke Liden
November 14, 2022
The infamous Barstool logo reimagined with WJ colors. Most "barstool" accounts in the county have a similar profile picture, using the same logo with their own color scheme.

Barstool accounts add to high school sports

Luke Liden, Print Editor-in-Chief
October 10, 2022
Senior Caleb Olaez checks the value of stock he is currently holding. After being introduced to the stock market, Olaez has put endless hours into researching and checking the market.

Caleb Olaez: online school and online money

Luke Liden, Print EIC
September 19, 2022

People of WJ at Graduation

Andrew Plotnick, Luke Liden, Alex Wolfson and Caleb Kasten
June 14, 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
Senior captain Julia Beato performs a front handspring during the vault event. While the Wildcats finished in 3rd place, the whole team gave it their all and had a fantastic last meet.

Gymnastics team takes 3rd place in counties

Luke Liden, Print Sports Editor
May 24, 2022

People of WJ 3: Students “Pushing P”

Alex Wolfson, Caleb Kasten, Luke Liden and Andrew Plotnick
May 18, 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
The Icecats pose for a team photo in their cowboy hats, showing off their Texas spirit. While the national tournament didn't go their way, the trip was a fun time for all.

Icecats take on top teams in national tournament

Luke Liden, Print Sports Editor
April 4, 2022
Jackson Van Wagener squares up against a Wootton defender. His explosive abilities have helped the team greatly on both offensive and defense. The Wildcats would go on to win the game 65-59.

Senior Jackson Van Wagener rebounds from ACL tear

Luke Liden, Print Sports Editor
February 9, 2022
Senior Amir Frye takes the field on defense ready to make a play. Frye has played an essential role on the defensive side of the ball for the Wildcats in all of his three years on the varsity squad.

Amir Frye, division 1 athlete in the making

Luke Liden, Print Sports Editor
November 16, 2021
Junior wide receiver Christion Wright channels his inner Randy Moss to make the catch in the end zone over the BCC defender. WJ trailed by a touchdown until Wright's touchdown which changed the momentum of the game greatly.

Wildcats wave Barons goodbye

Luke Liden, Print Sports Editor
November 12, 2021
WJ alumni Jacob Daley and Jack Liden perform their set at 7300Pearl's Philadelphia pop-up. Daley and Liden have both been invested in music since their time at WJ and are currently continuing their musical careers elsewhere.

7300Pearl’s Philadelphia Pop-Up

Luke Liden, Print Sports Editor
November 7, 2021
Junior wide receiver Pablo Foley lets BCC know where they stand. The rivalry between BCC and WJ often gets heated. After making a clutch tackle on a third down, Foley decided to have a word with the opposing team.

The Football Team Silences BCC

Luke Liden, Print Sports Editor
October 15, 2021
Justin Davids and Ethan Birndorf race down the ice for a breakaway opportunity. Davids and Birndorf have played both hockey since a young age and decided to continue their careers at WJ.

The Walter Johnson Hockey Club

Luke Liden, Print Sports Editor
October 7, 2021
Walter Johnson sets up on defense against Whitman. In their second game of the season, Walter Johnson destroyed Whitman 42-8.

Varsity football winning culture solidified

Luke Liden, Print Sports Editor
September 20, 2021
Fantasy football, while created in the 1960s, has remained a staple of American football culture to this day.

Draft day drama disrupts WJ fantasy football league

Luke Liden, Special to The Pitch
January 5, 2021
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