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
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
Instagram announces 'built-in protections' for teen accounts
Instagram announces ‘built-in protections’ for teen accounts
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
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
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
(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
Sanir Byanjankar

Sanir Byanjankar, Photographer Editor

Sanir is a photographer/videographer/editor for the Pitch this year. This is his second year on the Pitch and in his free time he likes to watch basketball and football.
All content by Sanir Byanjankar
The Wildcats celebrate beating Churchill in the first round of playoffs. Having lost two years in a row in the regional final, baseball this season will look to break into the state tournament.

Spring Sports Previews

Seyun Park, Anna Zucconi, Joshua Singer, Lily Tapparo, Hillevi Schine, Mateus Bouquet, Jeremy Silberglied, Elizabeth Finn, Cecilia Saltzman, Michelle Kim and Mackenzie Norris
March 20, 2024

Black Student Union celebrates Black History Month by hosting impactful assembly

Zsuzsanna Juhasz, Ishaan Ramola and Sanir Byanjankar
March 1, 2023

Wildcats upsets undefeated Damascus 68-66

Sanir Byanjankar, Film Editor
February 21, 2023

Embrace the journey, savor the moment: a poms documentary

Sanir Byanjankar, Jalen Scott and Blake Bailey
February 21, 2023

Inside the Den: Weekly Sports Recap Feb 6th-10th

Andrew Plotnick and Sanir Byanjankar
February 14, 2023

Inside the Den: Icecats preview for first playoff game

Andrew Plotnick and Sanir Byanjankar
February 10, 2023

Inside the Den: Weekly Recap Jan 30th-Feb 3rd

Andrew Plotnick and Sanir Byanjankar
February 10, 2023

WJ defeats Watkins Mill 71-35

Sanir Byanjankar, Film Editor
January 19, 2023

Year in review

Sanir Byanjankar, Film Editor
January 19, 2023
Junior Namori Omog brings up the ball, looking for an opportunity. This was the second time the Wildcats competed against the Patriots.

Week in review: Wildcats fall to Barons and Patriots

January 11, 2023

Wildcats defeat Blazers 66-47

Sanir Byanjankar, Film Editor
December 20, 2022

A look into boys’ basketball before game against Watkins Mill

Sanir Byanjankar, Film Editor
December 14, 2022

WJ boys basketball beats Watkins Mill 71-35

Sanir Byanjankar, Film Editor
December 12, 2022

WJ vs. RM football highlights

Sanir Byanjankar, Film Editor
October 18, 2022

Julia Lebron Exclusive Pitch Interview

Sanir Byanjankar and Joshua Singer
October 7, 2022

Interview with Assistant Principal Jeff Leaman

October 7, 2022

WJ Football defeats Northwest for the first time in a decade

Sanir Byanjankar, Film Editor
October 4, 2022

WJ vs. Whitman football highlights

Sanir Byanjankar, Photography/Film Editor
September 21, 2022

WJ football highlights vs Whitman

Sanir Byanjankar, Photography and Film Editor
September 12, 2022

WJ football victory highlights vs. Churchill

Sanir Byanjankar, Photography and Film editor
September 8, 2022

WJ graduation captured by the Pitch

Sanir Byanjankar and Jalen Scott
June 16, 2022
Zion Williamson gets drafted number one by the New Orleans Pelicans.

Sanir Byanjankar’s NBA 2022 Mock Draft

Sanir Byanjankar, Staff Writer
May 29, 2022

WJ Prom 2022 recap

Sanir Byanjankar, Jalen Scott and Zsuzsanna Juhasz
May 25, 2022

Walter Johnson boys’ lacrosse season highlights

Sanir Byanjankar
May 11, 2022

WJ girls’ lacrosse team honors alumna Abby Bieber

Sanir Byanjankar
May 9, 2022

Girls lacrosse honors late alum

Josephine Meriot and Sanir Byanjankar
April 26, 2022

WJ vs Richard Montgomery Round 1 of MPSSA Playoffs

Sanir Byanjankar
March 7, 2022

WJ vs Richard Montgomery boys’ basketball playoffs highlights

Sanir Byanjankar, Staff Writer
March 3, 2022

Walter Johnson vs Poolesville boys’ basketball highlights

Sanir Byanjankar, Staff Writer
February 11, 2022

State of the School: One-on-One with Principal Baker

Maeve Sanford-Kelly, Jillian Ward, Josephine Meriot, Nicole Weaver and Sanir Byanjankar
February 9, 2022
Walter Johnson sets up on defense against Whitman. In their second game of the season, Walter Johnson destroyed Whitman 42-8.

Varsity football winning culture solidified

Luke Liden, Print Sports Editor
September 20, 2021
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