The official student newspaper of Walter Johnson High School

The Pitch
There is a rise in teenagers using e-cigarettes compared to last year, the percentage of sophomores using vapes doubled to 16%. It was becoming more of a problem in schools, causing MCPS to implement vape detectors. (Courtesy Flickr)
Stopping the smoke: vape detectors to be added to high school bathrooms
Social studies teacher Mitchell Joy lectures during his AP World History class last school year. While the school policy on students use of phones in class has not changed since last year, many teachers have increased their enforcement of the policy.
Teachers increase phone policy enforcement
Dr. Thomas Taylor, the Board of Education's 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
The WJ Step Team readies themselves to perform one of their iconic numbers at the 2024 Fall Pep Rally.
Pep rallies should include JV sports
Time to break the ice: best to worst icebreakers
Time to break the ice: best to worst icebreakers
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
The new movie poster for the upcoming film "Inside Out 2." The poster features existing emotions from it's 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
MCPS’ Summer RISE program aims to provide students with work experience before graduating high school. “I worked with ‘Girls with Impact’...it was kind of entrepreneurial and that’s what I want to get into,” junior Alexis Batac said. (Courtesy MCPS)
Students elevate college applications with ‘Summer RISE’
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 they're rejected, they're not alone. "I'm scared I'll be rejected from the schools I will apply to, so it's comforting to know I wouldn't be the only one," junior Cristina Simpson said.
What summer looks like for rising seniors
Senior Hannah Schmidt prepares to take a shot in a preseason game this year against Einstein. The Wildcats prevailed against the Titans with a score of 5-1. (Courtesy Hannah Schmidt).
Divison III-bound: Schmidt commits to Kenyon College
Co-captains Connor Kim and Paul Gomes walk across the golf course during a practice. Both players gave impressive performances in their match on Sept. 3. (Courtesy Paul Gomes)
Golf comes out swinging with win over Clarksburg, Damascus
Senior Ginger Fishberg dribbles the ball into the attacking half, with junior captain Evie Avillo approaching behind her. (Courtesy Spencer Robinson)
Girls’ soccer dominates Poolesville in shutout win
Barons hold Cats in final minutes
Barons hold Cats in final minutes
Girls' flag football chant "Go cats" for good luck heading into the second half of the game in a dead heat with the Poolesville Falcons.
Wildcats lose to Poolesville Falcons 1-0 in 2OT in season opener
Freshman Owen Struzzerio winds up for his shot on Hole #12 a par 3. While Struzzerio's shot did not reach the green, he got up and down for par from a disadvantaged position.
Photo gallery: Golf starts out swinging
Clubs' first meetings
Clubs’ first meetings
Barons hold Cats in final minutes
Barons hold Cats in final minutes
Assistant Principals Jeff Leaman and Terry Heintze, dressed up as Gru for Despicable Me day, mimic the movie villain's iconic pose.
Photo gallery: Spirit Week
Freshman Owen Struzzerio winds up for his shot on Hole #12 a par 3. While Struzzerio's shot did not reach the green, he got up and down for par from a disadvantaged position.
Photo gallery: Golf starts out swinging
A group of seniors triumphantly celebrate their class' victory in the class tug-of-war. It is the fourth consecutive year the seniors have won the fall tug-of-war.
Photo gallery: Fall Pep Rally
Public Transportation Safety Podcast
Public Transportation Safety 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 Tissa Amaira
Freshman Aurelia Withers and sophomore Rey Gutierrez-Micallef discuss one of Withers' costume change. With a smaller number of cast members, some have to play multiple roles at once.

Shrek the musical tech week photo gallery

Tissa Amaira
March 31, 2022
Juniors Andy Levin and Bryan Kibet, actors for Shrek and Donkey, practice on stage while technical director, Taryn Armstrong, takes notes. Practicing with sets helps establish cues on when they should appear.

Students of all grades walking to their individual busses. Although many seniors have started to drive to school, there are still seniors who take the bus as their main form of transportation.

Upperclassmen reveal why they don’t drive

Tissa Amaira, Senior Feature Editor
February 14, 2022
Graysin Oh, 12th - “Ms. Ellis. She is crazy and really funny.”

Up-at-bat: students favorite teaching methods

Catherine Prado, Print Feature Editor
October 22, 2021
The long lunch line wraps around the cafeteria. Students make use of the free lunch that the county is currently providing due to Covid.

Free lunch creates long lunch lines

Tissa Amaira, Senior Feature Editor
October 14, 2021
Students enjoy lunch outside of the school building while the weather is seasonal. "Having open lunch allows for more free [time]" freshman Timmy Gaul said.

Students share expectations for the school year

Tissa Amaira, Senior Feature Editor
September 22, 2021
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