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
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
Students push through a swarm of their peers going to and from the portables during the transition from sixth to seventh period. Getting into and out of the building can take up to several minutes.
Life in the portables concerns staff and students
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?
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
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
(Courtesy Wikimedia Commons)
Artificial intelligence clashes with education
The Student Advisory Board organizes WJ's international week each year. This showcases different cultures from around the world and gives students a taste of various heritages. (Courtesy Essil Ezzoug)
Student advisory board creates a more inclusive WJ environment using students’ voices
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
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
Senior Sofia Silberfeld sets the ball to senior Ariel Mazor. Silberfeld recently passed 1,000 career assists. (Courtesy Tyler Shores via Lifetouch)
Setting new records: Silberfeld hits 1,000 career assists
Varsity cheer drills their routine on Tuesday, Sept. 24 to prepare for their Invitational at Long Reach High School on Oct. 9. The team has been working on sharpening their technique since the start of the season. “I would say everyone is striving to be better and to get what they have to get," Head Coach Vanessa Barnes said. "A lot of them are pushing themselves to get where they need to go."
Cheer jumps into preparation for their first seasonal Invitational
'The Cup' to bring new competition to all school sports
‘The Cup’ to bring new competition to all school sports
College football podcast
College football podcast
The Pitch takes on golf bloopers
The Pitch takes on golf bloopers
The Pitch takes on golf
The Pitch takes on golf
Billie on the street
Billie on the street
Becca's Closet returns to WJ
Becca’s Closet returns to WJ
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
The official student newspaper of Walter Johnson High School

The Pitch
The official student newspaper of Walter Johnson High School

The Pitch
Mia Magone

Mia Magone, Business Manager

Senior Mia Magone is excited for her third year as the Business manager on The Pitch. In her free time, she enjoys reading, painting, and listening to music.

All content by Mia Magone
Varsity cheer drills their routine on Tuesday, Sept. 24 to prepare for their Invitational at Long Reach High School on Oct. 9. The team has been working on sharpening their technique since the start of the season. “I would say everyone is striving to be better and to get what they have to get," Head Coach Vanessa Barnes said. "A lot of them are pushing themselves to get where they need to go."

Cheer jumps into preparation for their first seasonal Invitational

Mia Magone, Business Manager
October 4, 2024
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

Mia Magone, Business Manager
September 17, 2024
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

Mia Magone, Business Manager
June 12, 2024
The College Board offers 39 distinct Advanced Placement courses for students to take. Scores in the final exam of each class, taken in May, can be potentially transferred as college credit depending on the score and the policy of the receiving university. (Courtesy The Echo)

How to celebrate finishing AP exams

Mia Magone, Business Manager
June 4, 2024
Seniors explore benefits, drawbacks of gap years

Seniors explore benefits, drawbacks of gap years

Mia Magone, Business Manager
May 28, 2024
Members of APRO practice for the Hallyu Showcase on Wednesday, March 14. They spent months working on their routines, and are prepared to perform in the showcase. Math and resource teacher and APRO sponsor Linda O'Reilly notes the teams effort. "I'm incredibly proud of this group. They have tremendous discipline and talent, and above all, a sense of inclusion and mentorship for everyone within the group," O'Reilly said.

APRO to perform at annual Hallyu Showcase on March 15

Mia Magone, Business Manager
March 14, 2024
Students deliver a powerful rendition of the poem "I Am a Black Girl" by April Chukwueke during the assembly on Feb. 23.

BSU celebrates Black History Month with assembly showcasing America through the Black lens

Mia Magone, Business Manager
March 5, 2024
Attendance secretary Leslie Albershardt writes a pass for a student to go to 5th period on Friday, Jan. 26. Albershardt describes her hopes for the updated attendance policy taking action January 30. “If you are 23 minutes late, you are marked absent. Anything under that time you are tardy unexcused. My hope is that teachers will adhere to that and that parents will also understand," Albershardt said.

Attendance and grading policy changes take action second semester

Mia Magone, Business Manager
February 2, 2024
Students pose for a photo outside the Vatican during the 2017 spring break trip to Switzerland and Italy. Visiting historic monuments and architecture was one of the trip's many planned attractions.

Annual spring break trip to London, Scotland to be held for the first time since the pandemic

Mia Magone, Business Manager
February 2, 2024
The three daughters of King Lear, Goneril, played by Mia Reid (left), Regan, played by Beatriz Cardoso Lapa (center) and Cordelia, played by Petra Lacayo-Chamorro perform on the second night of "King Lear."

STAGE brings Shakespeare to students with timeless showing of “King Lear”

Mia Magone, Business Manager
December 15, 2023
Bake with Kindness holds a meeting on Tuesday, Nov. 7 to discuss their upcoming fundraising bake sale. They offered delicious homemade cookies to the members who attended.

Bake with Kindness, LeadHer to host bake sale in support of girl’s access to education

Mia Magone, Business Manager
November 16, 2023
Students wear pink to cheer on their team for the Wildcats vs Blazers Homecoming game on Friday, Oct. 6. The student section was filled with triumphant screams as the Wildcats earned their sixth win of the season.

Football themes channel team spirit, connect fans to games

Mia Magone, Business Manager
October 20, 2023
Link Generations Club holds an interest meeting on Wednesday, September 20. The club officers, Junior President Sophie Amalyan, Junior Vice President Bella Rose, Junior Secretary Nadeen Orabi and Junior Treasurer Carissa Chen presented in front of the group about the club's purpose and how it will operate, including how members should fill out the form for SSL hours.

Link Generations Club strives to close the gap between youths, senior citizens

Mia Magone, Business Manager
September 28, 2023
WJ Crew club celebrates the end of their year with an End of The Year Picnic at Cabin John Regional Park. The graduating seniors are both sad for leaving the underclassmen but also excited for their futures beyond highschool. The seniors (top row Baxter Roberts, Robert Hsu, Ethan Nguyen, Ian Shin, Alex Isaac, Nate Henderson, Antoine Fradet, Ryan Frank, (bottom row), Ava Rohatgi, Haley Minnick, and Maggie Berrett all lined up the spoon of a WJ oar as their final gift. "I'm going to miss all my senior and underclassmen friends. I really wish for the younger atheletes to spend their times in WJ Crew with no regrets," Berrett said.

Up-At-Bat – Clubs’ final meetings

Mia Magone and Michelle Kim
June 12, 2023
Graduating senior Olivia Profit receives her tassels during the senior ceremony. Profit plans to attend the University of Virginia and major in neuroscience.

Photo gallery: BSU hosts senior ceremony block party

Mia Magone, Business Manager
May 22, 2023
The BSU plans for the assembly on December 19, 2022. The assembly took place on February 24, 2023, and was one of the BSU's major accomplishments this school year.

BSU to host Block party on May 12 to celebrate seniors, fundraise for next year

Mia Magone, Business Manager
May 5, 2023
From left: senior Tatiana Vasquez, senior Rachel Bahn, senior Allison Lee and sophomore Alexis Anne Batac practice their routine for International week at practice after school on Thursday, Feb. 16. They held practices biweekly to prepare.

APRO to perform for International night and talent show

Mia Magone, Business Manager
February 28, 2023
A heart-shaped ornament made for Valentine's day. Many people decorate for February 14.

How to have fun when single on Valentine’s Day

Mia Magone, Business Manager
February 14, 2023
Artistic director Colleen McAdory holds an interest for "The Addams Family" on Dec. 20. It is set to be the spring musical, to go live Apr. 14.

S*T*A*G*E announces “The Addams Family” to be spring musical

Mia Magone, Business Manager
January 17, 2023
Students' favorite Christmas classics. Home Alone (51 votes); The Grinch (28 votes); The Nightmare Before Christmas (15 votes); Die Hard (9 votes)

Pitch’s Picks: must-watch winter movies you can’t miss

Mia Magone, Business Manager
December 21, 2022
Students walk to their respective buses after a day of school. Buses have been missing many times this year, leaving students to find alternative ways home.

Students battle cold while waiting for late buses

Mia Magone, Business Manager
December 1, 2022
Memes are spread online after the PSAT on the 12th

Memes are spread online after the PSAT on the 12th

Mia Magone, Business Manager
November 3, 2022
Bilingual students shouldn't have to take a language class

Bilingual students shouldn’t have to take a language class

Mia Magone, Business Manager
October 24, 2022
North Bethesda Middle school was breached during the school day on Oct. 6. Many rumors have circulated, including that the intruder was armed, but have been proven false.

Unarmed intruder causes panic at North Bethesda Middle School

Mia Magone, Business Manager
October 20, 2022
Director Colleen McAdory discusses the upcoming play at the S*T*A*G*E interest meeting. "The bad news is we do not have a Technical Director per se. the good news is that I am bound and determined to do a show despite the fact that we don't have a Technical Director, so, we are dispelling the rumors that there is no show," McAdory said.

S*T*A*G*E to perform Twilight Zone for fall play

Mia Magone, Business Manager
September 22, 2022
Protesters gather at the March for Our Lives protest on Saturday, June 11. The protest was in response to the deadly school shooting in Uvalde as well as other mass shootings in recent weeks.

What really happened at the Uvalde shooting

Mia Magone, Staff Writer
June 16, 2022
Lawmaker walks by recent mass shooting memorials blindly.

Law makers need to change priorities

Rhea Noumair and Mia Magone
June 14, 2022
The Pitch staff get together for their 2022 photo during 5th period. Pitch members are thrilled to celebrate another year of The Pitch.

Why should you join the Pitch?

Mia Magone, Staff Writer
May 11, 2022
Sophomore Leila Chidiac charging alone at the the opposing team. At the end of the tournament, students played a free for all game.

SGA dodgeball tournament provides students with thrilling competition

Mia Magone, Staff Writer
April 6, 2022
On early release days, buses depart at 12:07 PM. such as the half day on April 1st, 2022, for the end of quarter 3.

WJ community debates functionality of half days

Mia Magone, Staff Writer
April 5, 2022
Dating has changed a lot in the digital era, though even with social media and dating apps, Over half of all singles in America have not had a date in over two years.

Student discuss their best dates

Mia Magone, Staff Writer
March 10, 2022
Why we need WJ Olympics

Why we need WJ Olympics

Mia Magone, Staff Writer
February 28, 2022
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