• 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
Olivia Scharf

Olivia Scharf, Staff Writer

Senior Olivia Scharf is a staff writer on the Pitch. This is her second year on Pitch, and outside of school she likes to read and hang out with friends.

All content by Olivia Scharf
The Spectator Staff poses for their club picture. This small group works hard throughout the year to produce the literary and fine arts schools magazine.

What happens in Specator?

Olivia Scharf, Staff Writer
April 11, 2023
Best Buddies holds a Bingo event in the student commons. The club leadership organized this event, something that is a common task of leadership.

Clubs plan to transfer future leadership

Olivia Scharf, Staff Writer
March 1, 2023
The Art Honor Society plans out their next hallway mural. It showcases WJ in large colorful bubble letters.

The painting on the walls

Olivia Scharf, Staff Writer
February 2, 2023
Students celebrate various unique holiday traditions. The winter holiday season features many holidays and lots of WJ students of all cultures share their traditions.

What do students celebrate during the winter season?

Olivia Scharf and Peter Kahrl
December 21, 2022
According to CDC survey, 31% of students have a poor mental health nearly all of the time. Mental Health Awareness week began to address this issue but more needs to be done.

Mental health week reflects poorly, in need of improvement

Olivia Scharf, Staff Writer
November 3, 2022
A Too Good to Go order from Mamma Lucia in Bethesda is picked up. This was a two-person meal that cost just $4.

Too Good to Go’s prices are too good

Olivia Scharf, Staff Writer
October 27, 2022
Artist Slump Madi has a photo shoot for his new album cover for Slump Star. While still being in school, many student pursue a music career in dedication to their music.

Students pursue music outside of school

Olivia Scharf, Staff Writer
October 7, 2022
The football team finished last season with a 7-6 record. This summer, the team is preparing by doing workouts and having 7 v 7s.

Sports training doesn’t stop for summer break

Olivia Scharf, Staff Writer
June 16, 2022
Artist Jacob Daley performs a set with an enthusiastic crowd at Astor Place, an East Village barbershop.

Alumni Jacob Daley pursues his love for music

Olivia Scharf, Staff Writer
May 29, 2022
Junior Ava Franke and her coworker count money at Reddz Trading in Bethesda, working a part-time job.

Are seniors taking advantage of abbreviated schedules?

Olivia Scharf, Staff Writer
May 13, 2022
Junior Janaiyah Inniss overloaded with school work and extracurriculars, like WJ Crew, falls asleep during class.

School atmosphere weighs down instead of uplifts

Olivia Scharf, Staff Writer
April 26, 2022
Best Buddies held a a meeting outside, where members had fun decorating the sidewalk with chalk and ate pizza.

Clubs give back to local communities

Olivia Scharf, Staff Writer
March 28, 2022
Inconsistent contact tracing raises concern

Inconsistent contact tracing raises concern

Olivia Scharf, Staff Writer
February 9, 2022
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The Pitch

The official student newspaper of Walter Johnson High School

The Pitch
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