• 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
Nick Opipari

Nick Opipari, Online Managing Editor

Nick is an Online Managing Editor for The Pitch this year. In his free time he enjoys hanging out with his friends and taking pictures of different events.

All content by Nick Opipari
Sophomore third baseman Ella Reynolds approaches home plate as the team celebrates her grand slam. Reynolds gave the team a 4-0 lead in their regional final.

Softball goes back-to-back with region championship win over Vikings

Seyun Park, Print Editor-in-Chief
May 17, 2024
Jay Wandell on the mound pitching against the Vikings at 3:45. The buildings shown in the far right make is very challenging to install the lights.

Why there are no lights on the baseball field

Audrey Ring, Online Editor-in-Chief
April 26, 2024
Senior Jay Wandell attempts to hit a ball thrown across home plate. The Wildcats beat the Whitman Vikings 6-0 on Tuesday.

Photo gallery: WJ vs Whitman baseball

Nick Opipari, Online Managing Editor
April 17, 2024
Junior Noah Potter breaks the water during a freestyle stroke. Potter earned third place in the 100 yard butterfly and fifth place in the 100 yard backstroke at the state championship. Potter aims to lead the Wildcats to a state championship next year.

Photo gallery: Winter sports in review

Nick Opipari, Online Managing Editor
March 18, 2024
Junior Noah Potter breaks the water during a freestyle stroke. Potter earned third place in the 100 yard butterfly and fifth place in the 100 yard backstroke at the state championship. Potter aims to lead the Wildcats to a state championship next year.

Junior Noah Potter breaks the water during a freestyle stroke. Potter earned third place in the 100 yard butterfly and fifth place in the 100 yard backstroke at the state championship. Potter aims to lead the Wildcats to a state championship next year.

Senior Sunjay Bista gives senior David Tsaava a taper fade. Bista has been cutting WJ students hair for over a year (Courtesy Sunjay Bista).

Bista cuts his way to success

Nick Opipari, Online Managing Editor
March 8, 2024
Junior Bahdan Kurepkin beats out his opponent to score points for WJ at a meet. Kurepkin is one of the four boys being sent to states on the team, with the addition of three girls also headed to the state championships.

Wrestling completes regions, qualifies seven for states

Jeremy Silberglied, Staff Writer
February 28, 2024

People of WJ: The 2024 revival

February 27, 2024
Junior Hudson Barrett works on pinning down an opponent to score points for WJ in a match vs Seneca Valley High School earlier in the season. Barrett and the Cats will look to perform strongly in the upcoming MCPS championships to advance further.

Wrestling falls in Battle of Bethesda, looks towards playoffs

Jeremy Silberglied, Staff Writer
February 16, 2024

A Look Behind the Curtain: Early Stages of Les Mis

February 7, 2024
Former President Bill Clinton, Ghislaine Maxwell and Jeffrey Epstein are seen communicating with each other in 1993. Epstein and Clinton were frequently photographed together.

Clinton, Hawking, Prince Andrew among those uncovered in Epstein documents

Nick Opipari, Online Managing Editor
January 20, 2024
Senior Zach Morales wrestles against an opponent in the first match of the season against Seneca Valley. The Wildcats beat Seneca Valley 49-27 and have gone 3-2 to start the season.

Wrestling in a wrap: team starts off season strong

Jeremy Silberglied, Staff Writer
January 18, 2024

Pregame homecoming football interviews

October 6, 2023

Field hockey pregame interview with Sofia Reyes

September 29, 2023
The Wildcats make a statement entrance as they prepare to take on Richard Montgomery. WJ would go on to win the game 53-22 and improve to 2-0 on the season.

Photo gallery: Wildcats shoot down Rockets in delayed home opener

Ely Snow, Mateus Bouquet and Nick Opipari
September 14, 2023

Class of 2023 Graduation

Ada Hillman and Nick Opipari
June 15, 2023

What do staff have planned for the summer?

May 30, 2023

Seniors’ fake commitments

Nick Opipari and Noel Haptermariam
May 23, 2023

Q&A with SMOB elect Sami Saeed

Elizabeth Finn and Seyun Park
May 23, 2023
Incoming wildcat football coach Aaron Fiddler commands the Örebro Black Knights to victory. Fiddler earned coach of the year twice while coaching the Black Knights.

New head coach tackles Wildcat football

Nick Opipari, Staff Writer
March 28, 2023
Its really bad what was displayed at Whitman and it wasnt made a huge deal. Mariama Cisse, 9

Up-At-Bat: Student reaction to anti-semitic vandalism response

Nick Opipari, Staff Writer
February 24, 2023
Juniors Leo Holma and Kerlous Mekhail raise awareness with their board on abusive relationships. We wanted to inform people on abusive relationships by providing the places someone can go for help, Holma said.

Health students display findings at yearly fair

Nick Opipari, Staff Writer
January 31, 2023
WJ alum Kalaii Griffin II signs to play division I football at the St. Francis PA University. Signing to a division I team was uncommon for the team at the time. (From left: Lisa Sorenson, Sue Amos, Kalena Griffin Costa, Sarah Bieber, Bob Yi, John Kadi, Ezequiel Griffin, Susan Fazio)

WJ Alum on Shark Tank

Nick Opipari, Staff Writer
January 24, 2023
The beautiful Killington Ski Resort, located in Vermont, brings in thousands of tourists annually. The compiled list below was made for those who enjoy winter thrills big and small.

Recognizing the best local and national slopes

Blake Bailey and Nick Opipari
December 22, 2022
Freshman Jakai Brown presents his Michael B. Jordan 11-12s. These shoes are nice and comfortable, this black design is also good. They even have noise cancellation. Go pick you up a pair of these, Brown said.

Up at bat: What kind of shoes do you wear at school?

Josh Hananel and Nick Opipari
November 29, 2022

Students share their favorite halloween costumes and candy

Josh Hananel and Nick Opipari
November 3, 2022
Junior Sid Scale dribbles the ball down the pitch as WJ takes on the Richard Montgomery Rockets. Scale plays on both sides of the field as hes one of the wingbacks for the Wildcats.

Sid Scale takes on the pitch

Nick Opipari, Staff Writer
October 19, 2022
Dr. Katharina Matro instructs students while teaching her third period personal finance class. Classes such as personal finance, quantitative literacy and financial literacy help students gain real world skills to help them outside of high school.

Point/Counterpoint: Should financial literacy be required?

Robert Hsu and Nick Opipari
September 22, 2022
84.3% of Walter Johnson students say they believe teachers should not be armed as a solution to the outbreak of school shootings.

Why arming teachers won’t solve school shootings

Nick Opipari, Staff Writer
June 16, 2022
Senior Niko Natsvlishvili walks across the stage after graduating from Walter Johnson.

Different preferences cause different colleges

Nick Opipari, Staff Writer
June 14, 2022
Maryland Governor Larry Hogan signs legislation allowing for a 30 day suspension of the Maryland gas tax.

Governor Hogan relieves gas tax

Nick Opipari, Staff Writer
April 4, 2022
Russian Military convoy displays a Z on the back of their truck, meaning Za pobedy (for victory), or Zapad (West). This symbol emerged days before the invasion started and has been seen all over Ukraine now.

Uncovering the meaning behind the Z on Russian vehicles

Nick Opipari, Staff Writer
March 28, 2022
Packers QB Aaron Rodgers wins his second MVP award in a row at the NFL Honors for the 2021-2022 season. This is his 4th one, and the 2nd most in history.

NFL recognizes and awards accomplished players

Nick Opipari, Staff Writer
February 16, 2022
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