The official student newspaper of Walter Johnson High School

The Pitch
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
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
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 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
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
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 Wildcats make a statement entrance as they prepare to take on Richard Montgomery. WJ would go on to win the game 53-22.
Fall Sports Previews
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 John's 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
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
Sourish Dey

Sourish Dey, Online News Editor

Sourish is a senior and an Online News Editor for the Pitch this year. This is his second year on the Pitch and he likes to bike for fun.
All content by Sourish Dey
Sourish Dey's senior reflection

Sourish Dey’s senior reflection

Sourish Dey, Online News Editor
May 24, 2023
Montgomery County Police Department 2nd District Commander Amy Daum, Principal Jennifer Baker and Community Engagement Officer Shate Jackson address the school during the morning announcements informing them of the changes to the open lunch policy. The new policy will require students to return to campus after purchasing food and drink.

Open lunch reformed, “Pay and Go” to be implemented Monday

Sourish Dey and Seyun Park
April 26, 2023
Ariana Kelly served as a State Delegate before becoming a state senator. In that role, she rose to the rank of deputy majority whip.

Alum Ariana Kelly appointed to State Senate

Sourish Dey, Online News Editor
March 29, 2023

WJ delegates reflect on the SMOB Nominating Convention

Sourish Dey, Online News Editor
February 24, 2023
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Seniors reflect on college apps

Sourish Dey, Online News Editor
February 14, 2023
Point/Counterpoint: Are bike lanes on Old Georgetown Rd beneficial?

Point/Counterpoint: Are bike lanes on Old Georgetown Rd beneficial?

Sourish Dey and Cecilia Saltzman
January 26, 2023
A Silver Line train pulls out of the station. The line now runs from Ashburn in Loudoun County to Largo in Prince George's County.

Metro extends silver line to Dulles Airport, Loudoun County

Sourish Dey, Online News Editor
December 15, 2022
Students walk to their buses at the end of the school day. Thanks to a new bus electrification project, many students now ride electric buses to and from school.

MCPS embarks on bus electrification

Sourish Dey, Online News Editor
December 11, 2022
Teacher Fredrick Delello assists his AP Government students as they work on an assignment.

AP Government classes now separated between sophomores and freshmen

Sourish Dey, Online News Editor
November 4, 2022
A view of the Cabin John Creek from the trail. The trail runs very close to the creek and offers many views by the water.

Trails to explore in the WJ area

Sourish Dey, Online News Editor
October 22, 2022
Sophomores Samuel Chang, Charles Ponyicsanyi and Amit Sabba walk through the portables on their way to their US History class. They will have to deal with the locked exterior doors to access their classes in the main building.

Portables present challenges for WJ community

Sourish Dey, Online News Editor
September 22, 2022
Freshman Travis Schultz and Charlotte Austegard display their IDs during lunch. As an increased security measure, administration has asked students to wear IDs while they are at school.

New policies headline new school year

Alexander Lewton, Seyun Park and Sourish Dey
September 20, 2022
Social studies teacher Mitchell Joy prepares to teach a class. In addition to being a social studies teacher, Joy holds a Religious Literacy course over the summer for teachers.

WJ to hold religous literacy class for teachers over the summer

Sourish Dey, Staff Writer
June 16, 2022
Juniors Theodore Dietrich and Sienna Karp ride the Metro into DC. Many WJ students use the Metro as an easy way to get into downtown DC.

Metro faces numerous challenges and an uncertain future (Part 2)

Sourish Dey, Staff Writer
June 13, 2022
Map of the British island during the Last Kingdom. As seen, there are numerous kingdoms on the island.

The Last Kingdom: Season 5 review

Sourish Dey, Staff Writer
June 3, 2022
Metro riders wait for a red line train at the Metro Center station. Metro Center is one of the major transfer points in the Metro system.

Metro faces numerous challenges and an uncertain future (Part 1)

Sourish Dey, Staff Writer
April 22, 2022
"It's [a mask is] not really helping me with my face breaking out with acne." -Noah Osterhues, 12

Student express opinions on masks

Sourish Dey, Staff Writer
March 28, 2022
Former president Barack Obama signs the Affordable Care Act into law in 2010. This law expanded healthcare to over 25 million more people but failed to provide universal coverage.

The US needs a single payer universal healthcare system

Sourish Dey, Staff Writer
February 22, 2022
Hunger strikers and supporters rally outside the White House in support of the Build Back Better Act. In recent years, climate activists have escalated their actions as the time to act on climate change runs out.

Now is the time to act to stop climate change

Sourish Dey, Staff Writer
February 10, 2022
I-270 just north of its intersection with I-495. The widening plan would widen part of I-270 towards its southern end.

Widening I-270 isn’t the answer

Sourish Dey, Staff Writer
December 17, 2021
Senior Andrew Schell runs in the state championships at Hereford High School. Schell finished 3rd in his race.

Girls XC takes state title, Schell takes 3rd place individually

Sourish Dey, Staff Writer
November 30, 2021
Senior Alex Fintenko runs in the Bronx. This was the cross country team's second travel meet this year.

Cross Country Competes in the Manhatton Invitational

Sourish Dey, Staff Writer
November 15, 2021
Seniors Amelia Burkhart, Isabelle Senfaute and Ellie Rogers run in the MCPS championships. This was the first county championship for cross country since the start of the pandemic.

Cross country competes in county and regional championships

Sourish Dey, Staff Writer
November 12, 2021
Maren Conze in a University of North Carolina shirt after she committed to the school. The university recruited her while she was a junior.

Swimmer Maren Conze commits to the University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill

Sourish Dey, Staff Writer
October 27, 2021
The bike lane on Old Georgetown Road provides cyclists with a dedicate lane of travel. Unfortunately, this bike lane only exists for a small stretch of the road.

Old Georgetown Road’s bike lane should be extended North to the 355 intersection

Sourish Dey, Staff Writer
October 21, 2021
Cross country competes at a meet in North Carolina. This is the first travel meet for the team since before the pandemic.

Cross country returns to near pre-pandemic conditions for fall season

Sourish Dey, Staff Writer
October 7, 2021
U.S. soldiers on patrol in Afghanistan. This troop presence ended with President Biden's withdrawal decision.

WJ students react to Afghanistan withdrawal

Sourish Dey, Staff Writer
September 22, 2021
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