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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
Rafael Friedlander

Rafael Friedlander, Layout/Press Copy Editor

Senior Rafael Friedlander is excited to be returning to the Pitch for his third and final year, continuing as Layout Editor and now assuming the additional role of Press Copy Editor. In his spare time, he is a big baseball fan, rooting especially for the Houston Astros, and sings with many musical groups, including the Strathmore Children’s Chorus, WJ’s very own co-ed a cappella group Red Velvet, and Wildcat chamber choir Madrigals.

All content by Rafael Friedlander
As vaccines continue to roll out, feeling of hope and progress increase. What comes next in this year.

It’s been a year, what comes next?

Rafael Friedlander, Layout Editor
June 15, 2021
Washington Nationals infielder Howie Kendrick splinters his bat as he makes contact with the baseball against the New York Yankees on Opening Day. Despite a Hollywood ending in 2019, the Nationals were unable to capitalize on the success of being the reigning World Series Champions.

Dodgers, Rays meet on the national stage as irregular baseball season draws to a close

Rafael Friedlander, Layout Editor
October 25, 2020
One of the seven bumper photos produced for this SNL At Home episode, depicting the skyline of New York City made from various different cameras and other photographic equipment. The second episode produced from home, it greatly improved upon the first, providing another high-quality episode for the viewers at home.

“Saturday Night Live” returns from home to provide laughs during a difficult time

Rafael Friedlander, Photo/ Layout Editor
April 29, 2020
An ode to a bygone era, Knives Out has an interesting, family-friendly plot. It was nominated for an Academy Award, but it didnt get the nod.

A game of Clue come to life in the 21st century: What makes Knives Out fun

Rafael Friedlander, Photography & Layout/Design Editor
February 16, 2020
The Nationals are looking to have an even better season in 2020 after winning it all in 2019 despite entering the postseason as a wild card. The Nationals kept World Series MVP Stephen Strasburg, but lost third baseman Anthony Rendon to the Angels.

MLB Spring training offfseason recap

Rafael Friedlander, Photo/Layout Editor
February 7, 2020
Students deserve a day to reflect on the service of US military members. School is off for the majority of federal holidays, why not Veterans Day?

School should be off on Veteran’s Day

Rafael Friedlander, Photography/Layout Editor
November 21, 2019
Reactions to “Schindler’s List” controversy

Reactions to “Schindler’s List” controversy

Thomas Wolfson and Rafael Friedlander
April 12, 2019
Sophomore Jeffrey Sampson is frustrated as he cant get the WJ wireless to load.

Delving into Walter Johnson’s Wi-Fi problem

Rafael Friedlander, Staff Writer
March 28, 2019
A man sits outside Congregation Beth El in Bethesda, MD. Beth El and many other synagogues have increased their security after recent shootings and hate crimes.

Pitch Reactions: Pittsburgh Shooting

Rafael Friedlander and Hannah Markov
December 3, 2018
People protest against Trumps immigration polices in Pittsburgh. These protesters are protesting policy which may affect thousands of immigrants lives.

Pitch reactions: Politics and Pittsburgh

Rafael Friedlander
November 1, 2018

Club Spotlight: Red Velvet

Jane Fleischman, Benicio Balignot and Rafael Friedlander
October 26, 2018
Despite having decent players like Bryce Harper and Max Scherzer, and the temporary fame of hosting the 2018 All-Star Game, the Nationals didnt make the playoffs. The Nationals will have a long winter to think about what they did wrong and how they can improve for 2019.

2018 MLB season draws to a close as teams prepare for the postseason

Rafael Friedlander, Staff Writer
October 3, 2018
Shown (from right) are the red iPhone 8, the iPhone XS and XS Max which are superficially similar to the current iPhone X.

WJ students remain unimpressed about Apple’s new products

Rafael Friedlander, Staff Writer
September 30, 2018
The traditional Ethiopian cuisine consists of selection of meats, vegetales and dips served on a traditional Ethiopian bread. Photo by Rafael Friedlander

Sheba’s Ethiopian Restaurant Review

Rafael Friedlander
February 9, 2018
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The official student newspaper of Walter Johnson High School

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