The official student newspaper of Walter Johnson High School

The Pitch
Denmark students and teachers from Fredrica High School come together to pose for a photo alongside WJ administrators and student ambassadors. The photo was held in the commons after everyone enjoyed their pizza-provided lunch.
WJ welcomes Danish students
Instagram announces 'built-in protections' for teen accounts
Instagram announces ‘built-in protections’ for teen accounts
The Pinstripes building in Pike and Rose featuring its outdoor terrace. Pinstripes is in the middle of a popular outdoor shopping center close to WJ. (Courtesy Wikimedia Commons)
Prom to be held at Pinstripes
Newly built Woodward High School, currently occupied by Northwood High School, sits empty after a long September school day. The building's construction recently concluded, allowing it to be used for this school year.
Woodward’s building opens for Northwood
Students push through a swarm of their peers going to and from the portables during the transition from sixth to seventh period. Getting into and out of the building can take up to several minutes.
Life in the portables concerns staff and students
MCPS parents appeal to Supreme Court in recent LGBTQ books case
MCPS parents appeal to Supreme Court in recent LGBTQ books case
Internship coordinator Emily Fleisher leads an internship meeting in the auditorium. Check-ins like this are one of the ways Fleisher has added more structure and guidance to this program.
Putting the work in Work Based Learning: behind the modified internship system
A line of students stretches far past the door at Flippin' Pizza, an almost daily occurrence during the school year. Inside, employees work hard to quickly serve their customers.
G Square, Wildwood employees react to start of school year
(Courtesy Wikimedia Commons)
Artificial intelligence clashes with education
The Student Advisory Board organizes WJ's international week each year. This showcases different cultures from around the world and gives students a taste of various heritages. (Courtesy Essil Ezzoug)
Student advisory board creates a more inclusive WJ environment using students’ voices
Many students choose to study independently for standardized tests instead of participating in courses, such as those at Capital Educators, C2 Education or Everest. Khan Academy, an education website run by the College Board, is a fantastic tool for independent SAT or ACT preparation.
Standardized tests bounce back to college admissions
The Multicultural Club discusses their plans for the year. Cultural clubs are one of the best ways to form relationships with other students.
Cultural clubs create community
Bradley plays at the Global Strings Program at Berklee College of Music. She learned about several different styles of music and got a chance to perform them live, last summer. (Courtesy Alice Bradley)
Hard work, passion talent compose student musician
Sophomores, sisters and Hadestown cast and crew members Kelsee (left) and Kylee (right) Solt-Linville never get bored of one another and can be found socializing together throughout the school.
Acting in harmony: Balancing the demands of school and theater
Leads Yuri Sternberg, Sasha Rotton and Mason Lee rehearse lines. Preparations for the play require a mix of running lines and blocking scenes.
WJ STAGE tackles “The Brothers Grimm Spectaculathon”
The woman poses for her fall photo shoot in an outfit she found inspiration for on Instagram. She wore ripped jeans, a jacket and statement sneakers, showing how the trends from the early 2010s have continued for years. (Courtesy PickPik)
Flipping through fall fashion trends
Senior Hal Fischer plays bass for his band The Haze. Fischer is excited to play with The Haze at BabyCat again once the other members return. (Courtesy Sam Deichman Caswell)
Fischer’s soundtrack: Senior finds harmony across instruments
Short n’ Sweet debuted at No. 1 on the Billboard 200 chart songs like "Please Please Please," "Expresso" and "Taste." Short N Sweet is Sabrina Carpenter's 7th studio album. (Courtesy Genius)
Sabrina Carpenter is short and sweet
I visited the German government in Berlin with fellow exchange students from America. Our presidential election was frequently debated and I was often asked about my political beliefs.
Looking back on my year abroad in Germany
Is PDA too public in schools?
Is PDA too public in schools?
Students begin a practice Kahoot for French class. Walter Johnson offers a total of six languages including American Sign Language, Chinese, Italian and more, giving students the opportunity to explore different languages and cultures. “I switched [from Spanish] to Latin freshman year and I love it,” junior Abigial Samuels said.
Beat the American stereotype, stick with your language class
Pitch Opinion: It's time for The Juice
Pitch Opinion: It’s time for The Juice
Students, especially seniors, respond to the new AP exam no-show fee policy of MCPS. The policy requires those who do not attend an exam to pay $40.
Students shouldn’t pay for exams they don’t take
Instagram’s new teen protection restriction will force kids to find loopholes
Instagram’s new teen protection restriction will force kids to find loopholes
Megan Raue heads toward the finish with a strong push ahead of her opponents. She sprints to the end, eventually obtaining a new personal record.
Megan Raue’s long-distance journey in WJ sports
Senior captain Ella Hoban attempts a free kick, which was awarded to the Wildcats after a foul on junior Haley Prindle. The Wildcats took down reigning state finalists Montgomery Blair 2-0 on Monday. (Courtesy Lifetouch)
Girls’ soccer defeats Churchill, Blair, looks towards challenging matches
Senior Sofia Silberfeld sets the ball to senior Ariel Mazor. Silberfeld recently passed 1,000 career assists. (Courtesy Tyler Shores via Lifetouch)
Setting new records: Silberfeld hits 1,000 career assists
Varsity cheer drills their routine on Tuesday, Sept. 24 to prepare for their Invitational at Long Reach High School on Oct. 9. The team has been working on sharpening their technique since the start of the season. “I would say everyone is striving to be better and to get what they have to get," Head Coach Vanessa Barnes said. "A lot of them are pushing themselves to get where they need to go."
Cheer jumps into preparation for their first seasonal Invitational
'The Cup' to bring new competition to all school sports
‘The Cup’ to bring new competition to all school sports
Senior defensive and offensive lineman Jonathan Fisher trots off the field after a big defensive stop. Fisher was named a team captain for the Wildcats this 24-25 season. (Courtesy Spencer Robinson)
Fisher competes to the end of the line
I visited the German government in Berlin with fellow exchange students from America. Our presidential election was frequently debated and I was often asked about my political beliefs.
Looking back on my year abroad in Germany
Homecoming fashion preview
Homecoming fashion preview
Staff spotlight
Staff spotlight
Seniors Ellie Weinstein and Naamiah Corke celebrate their win over the Northwood Gladiators with an final score of 34-0.
Photo Gallery: Flag Football vs Northwood
#1: Passing the Mic
#1: Passing the Mic
Behind the scenes of concessions’ most hectic night
Behind the scenes of concessions’ most hectic night
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 courtesy of Wikipedia
Violent Night sleds to box office brilliance with David Harbour playing the merry murderer. Despite the noted public interest, the movie has received questionable reviews.

“Violent Night” is a Christmas disaster

Blake Bailey, Online Opinion Editor
December 14, 2022
Black Adam has been one of DC's most complex characters, being portrayed as both supervillain and hero depending on the comic. Led by Dwayne Johnson, the character made its live-action debut in the DC Extended Universe's "Black Adam" on Oct. 21.

Black Adam battles demons, critics amidst massive opening

Blake Bailey, Online Opinion Editor
October 31, 2022
"Nope" (2022)

AMC and Regal offer $3 movies

Liam Dorrien and Liann Keren
September 15, 2022
"Nope" (2022)

The Pitch selects the most highly anticipated movies of the summer

Liann Keren, Staff Writer
June 16, 2022
Most students and faculty wanted this to be passed by the county but was quickly turned down.

MPSSA approves sports for october

A.J. Frattarelli, Staff Writer
January 11, 2021
Ground view of Lambeau Field, Home of the Green Bay Packers. The emptiness of the stadium is something many fans have been forced to become accustomed to as a result of COVID-19.

Covid-19 continues to interrupt all levels of sports

Bode Ramsay, Staff Writer
November 12, 2020
A map depicting the prevalence of COVID-19 by county in Maryland. As the virus spreads across Maryland and the rest of the United States, businesses have to adapt their practices to accommodate social distancing and at-risk individuals.

What will the country look like in four months?

Liann Keren, Staff Writer
June 27, 2020
"Bombshell" is a movie about the Fox News sexual harassment scandal in 2015-2016. It was released in theaters on Dec. 20, 2019.

Movie Review: Bombshell

Hannah Markov, Opinion Editor
January 17, 2020
The XFL attempts to reboot behind entrepreneur Vince McMahon. The first go around is considered a failure by most.

New football league materializes, set for spring 2020 debut

Alan Gahart, Staff Writer
November 12, 2019
Stephen Curry takes a shot in a game against the Wizards. Curry looks to keep up his great postseason play and lead the Warriors to a third straight title.

NBA Finals 2019: Kawhi vs Curry

Matt Shea, Opinion Editor
May 29, 2019
Hollywood has been known for producing movies and shows but also for scandals. With these scandals becoming common, you can't help but question the future of this industry.

Sexual abuse scandals becoming common in Hollywood

Danielle Limonchik, Staff Writer
April 12, 2019
The Marvel superhero movies have been blockbusters in recent years. Marvel will only continue to entertain and have success in the future.

Here is a miles-long stretch of the border between San Diego, California and Tijuana, Mexico. Many southern central Americans attempt to cross this border every year in hopes of a new life in America.

U.S. uses tear gas at southern border

John Leonardo, Staff Writer
January 23, 2019
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