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  • 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
All content by Photo by Ely Snow
Senior Nick Zampardi dives in an attempt to block the game-winning field goal from Bulldogs kicker Nasim Elkhassem, who joined the team less than a month before the game.

Football falls to Churchill in heartbreaking fashion

Mateus Bouquet, Print Sports Editor
November 3, 2023
From left: History Club vice president Defne Ustundag, BSU president Jalen Scott and History Club president Seyun Park welcome students and the guest speaker.

History Club, BSU welcome guest speaker

Ely Snow, Assistant News Editor
February 27, 2023
New technical director Mae Mironer looks up at the system of microphones and lights that hang above the stage. Having done everything from carpentry to lights work in the past, Mironer is well-suited to lead and mentor STAGE crew students.

STAGE welcomes new tech director amid revolving doors

Ely Snow, Assistant News Editor
February 27, 2023
The Walter Johnson ultimate Frisbee team is called the Poets and Pitchers. The team was formed in 2015 and allows anyone to join.

Ultimate frisbee: the perfect balance of sportsmanship and competition

Baxter Roberts, Print Opinion Editor
February 1, 2023
A group of friends sit together outside the gym during lunch. Eating in the hallways provides much more freedom in deciding what kind of spot to eat in.

Veiled stigma: Students avoid lunch in cafeteria

Ely Snow, Assistant News Editor
January 24, 2023
“I’m being Rodrick from Diary of a Wimpy Kid. Im going to have a shirt from his band, I’m wearing ripped jeans, I’m gonna paint my nails black and put on some heavy eyeliner. I’m excited because I have friends from other schools doing characters from that movie so we’re gonna all hang out and do a group together.” Melina Momeni, 11

“My costume is going to be Mei from Night in the Woods. I spent too much money on the costume pieces, but it looks authentic. I’m feeling OK about it but I’m nervous because it’s my first ever time making a costume.” Taya Oppenheim, 12

“I’m gonna recycle an old costume, I’m just gonna be an assassin. My dog is gonna be the pope. I think thats really funny and I’m excited for it.” Cole Naylor, 9

“I’m gonna be Doctor Strange from the Marvel Cinematic universe. I purchased the costume two years ago but I only got to wear it once, so Im gonna give it another go. Its pretty well made and I feel good about it.” Science teacher Nathan Diehl

Security guard Marlene Smith checks a students ID upon entry at the auditorium entrance. The entrance, which is located near the student lot, has become one of the most crowded entrances in the school.

ID checks cause overcrowded entrances

Cecilia Saltzman, Print Feature Editor
October 25, 2022
New S*T*A*G*E technical director Clare Cawley demonstrates to new members how to use a power tool for building sets. “I love being able to kind of start from scratch and build this baseline of organisation, structure and communication for all the crews so that they know, ‘Oh thats how its supposed to work!’,” Cawley said.

S*T*A*G*E hires alum as new technical director

Ely Snow, Assistant News Editor
October 22, 2022
Pre-Calculus teacher Brian Fairall takes attendance during 5th period before students engage in taking a Unit Test. In past years students were only offered Honors Pre-Calculus and on-level Pre-calculus with WJ in question about adding AP Pre-Calculus, many are wondering how many students will actually sign up for the course.

College Board announces AP Precalculus

Abby Kee, Print News Editor
October 20, 2022
Students walk towards the cafeteria entrance outside the bus loop before school. This was a commonly used entrance in the first week of school for students exiting buses.

Students tackle first week of school

Ely Snow, Assistant News Editor
September 12, 2022
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The Pitch

The official student newspaper of Walter Johnson High School

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