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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
Noel Haptemariam

Noel Haptemariam, Staff Writer

Noel is a staff writer this year. This is his third year on the Pitch. In his free time he likes to play basketball and videogames.

All content by Noel Haptemariam
SGA secretary Bryan Kibet does the splits for amateur poms while other senior Carl Braun runs and gets ready for his turn. I was one of the many guys doing a performance for amateur poms. I did my sign off with two other guys. Im so thankful to the poms captains for teaching me and the guys the routine, Kibet said.

Leadership hosts spring pep rally

Noel Haptemariam, Staff Writer
March 27, 2023
Hot chocolate 100% its just such a winter season drink and its just very nice to have a hot drink in the winter. - Nina Dgebuadze , 10

Up-At-Bat: What’s your favorite winter drink?

Noel Haptemariam, Staff Writer
January 27, 2023
Iced Chai Teas Latte, soy milk. Its very refreshing. - Fatima Kane, 12

Up at bat: What is your favorite winter drink?

Noel Haptemariam
January 26, 2023
Junior Aranda Hurge tries to make a juke against senior Trinity Hill. While , she does this her teammates Yness Seidnaly, Isabella Mondelli, and Rita Bousadi run with her as they all try to advance down the field.

Seniors compete against juniors in powder puff flag football game

Noel Haptemariam, Staff Writer
June 17, 2022
The Boston Celtics compete in the 2022 NBA Playoffs. Many believe that they will make a deep run.

WJ students predict results of the 2022 NBA finals

Noel Haptemariam, Staff Writer
June 3, 2022
Students prediction on who will be the first pick in the NFL Draft

Students prediction on who will be the first pick in the NFL Draft

Noel Haptemariam, Staff Writer
April 30, 2022

WJ students react to The Batman movie

Noel Haptemariam, Staff Writer
April 8, 2022
Senior Zeke Ross is running in a meet and trying to pace himself so his team can win the competition. Ross reflection about bieng on cross country is Being in xc is all about being with your friends and pushing your body further than you think you can.

Seniors experience their last sports season

Noel Haptemariam and Caleb Kasten
January 11, 2022
Juniors Bardia Hormozi and Leo MacDonald and Senior Alejandro Linares celebrate after one of Hormozis two goals. Hormozi continues to put huge numbers for the Wildcats this season.

WJ Boys Soccer plays Winston Churchill photo gallery

Noel Haptemariam, Staff Writer
October 19, 2021
Senior Zaniv Chhina clears the ball away from the opposing team. Chhina finds a family within her teammates, and she wouldnt have wanted a different experience.

The seniors of field hockey

Noel Haptemariam, Staff Writer
February 17, 2021
Senior Ellie Poersch fights for the ball in a senior night match up against BCC. Poersch has been on the team since her freshman year, and will miss the spirited game days the most.

Field hockey seniors reflect on their WJ careers

Noel Haptemariam, Staff Writer
January 28, 2021
Senior Emma Richardell supports her favorite football even as a little toddler. She supports the team because her father is from New York. My favorite football team is the New York Giants because my dad is from New York, Richardell said.

How students represent their favorite football teams

Noel Haptemariam, Staff Writer
November 10, 2020
Senior soccer player Abby Matson dribbles the ball while trying to advance it upfield. Matson says that her favorite thing about playing soccer at WJ is the team bond and rivalry against schools particularly BCC.

Senior athlete highlights

Noel Haptemariam, Staff Writer
November 9, 2020
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The Pitch

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