The official student newspaper of Walter Johnson High School

The Pitch
Seniors Michelle Lett and Bella Relacion lead the MSP and BSU-led demonstrators in chants, calling out MCPS for a lack of response to recent racism incidents. Other BSUs and MSPs around the county led similar rallies.
MSP, BSU rally, raise awareness of racism in MCPS
Students attend AP African American History during fourth period. WJ has implemented programs to provide support for first-time AP test takers.
Equal Opportunity Schools, Study Circles programs improve learning landscape
Students exit WJ after school on Tuesday, Oct. 1. Exiting through the front door in the afternoon often involves waiting in a long line. “We got way too many kids here; it’s ridiculous,” freshman Veer Anand said.
WJ surpasses 3,000 students for first time
A ballot box sits just outside of the WJ school building in May, right before the 2024 primary election. Ballot boxes like this will be used by many WJ seniors this November to cast their votes for the first time.
WJ students share opinions, take action before 2024 election
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
Seniors Michelle Lett and Bella Relacion lead the MSP and BSU-led demonstrators in chants, calling out MCPS for a lack of response to recent racism incidents. Other BSUs and MSPs around the county led similar rallies.
MSP, BSU rally, raise awareness of racism in MCPS
Samantha Arenberg works at a site inspection of a historic barn. They used drones to create an accurate 3D imaging of the barn to help identify areas of structural concern. “I miss certain aspects of my job. I miss being able to eat when I want, and go to the bathroom when I want, and the time flexibility. But I don’t miss being in a cubicle for nine hours a day, and feeling like I wasn’t helping people,” Arenberg siaid.
Prior jobs lead teachers to WJ
From the left: Ellie Macfarlan, Charlotte Kuperstein, Alice Frank, Olivia Crawford, Lucia Kanazir, and Daniele Perez. They all intend to attend Homecoming again this year and have fun
Students plan for Homecoming
Karen Generose reviews practice sentences with her Latin Two students. Each day Generose teaches five different levels of Latin.
Language teachers cope with packed classes
Michael Laukaitis explains a calculus concept to students during lunch. He has always made himself available for help outside of class, something many students appreciate.
Behind mathematical maestro Michael Laukaitis
(Courtesy Hildi Altman)
Homecoming: Is it best to go with a date or friends?
The VMA's is an annual Video Music Award ceremony hosted in the month of September. The award show was available for fans around the world to tune in and watch their favorite artists get the chance to receive many outstanding awards. (Wikimedia Commons)
Performance ranking of the VMA’s
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
A student's collection of college pamphlets and magazines from universities across the country. Every year, students receive pamphlets from universities that are recruiting them.
The downsides of looking at colleges too early
WJ students sit in the school's library in the morning. There are already many students, with even more coming to study for upcoming tests or relax before the school day.
Classes should be made longer for WJ students
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
Wide receiver Devin Markert catches a pass deep into Whitman's 20'. WJ dominated Whitman 41-0 on a Thursday night home game. The student section watched as the play unfolded.
County-wide initiative sacks season-long Friday night football.
Snapshot of FedEx Field pregame before the Commanders' matchup versus the Chicago Bears last year on Monday night football. The stadium name is now Northwest Stadium for the 2024-2025 season and the foreseeable future.
Washington Commanders: Is there hope in D.C.?
The team poses for a photo before beginning their tour with Johnson. The Cats were given a full tour of the University of Maryland football facilities. "My favorite part of the tour was getting to meet players from the actual team. They were all so nice and we got to take pictures with them," senior Mimi Dietrich said.
Photo Gallery: Girls’ flag football visits UMD
The Change-Up: Capitals Edition
The Change-Up: Capitals Edition
The team completes a breathtaking stunt in a pyramid. The high-risk nature of Cheer is always something for the athletes to keep in mind. "Cheerleading is very, very, hard," head coach Vanessa Barnes said. It's one of the most dangerous sports. A lot of people don't know that because it's overlooked, but it is very difficult. Any minute, someone can be dropped from all the way up in the air. That's probably one of the things I would think people need to know about cheerleading."
Photo Gallery: Cheers first competetion
Cats bounce back, beat undefeated school rival
Cats bounce back, beat undefeated school rival
Students react to the upcoming presidential election
Students react to the upcoming presidential election
Seniors Michelle Lett and Bella Relacion lead the MSP and BSU-led demonstrators in chants, calling out MCPS for a lack of response to recent racism incidents. Other BSUs and MSPs around the county led similar rallies.
MSP, BSU rally, raise awareness of racism in MCPS
The team poses for a photo before beginning their tour with Johnson. The Cats were given a full tour of the University of Maryland football facilities. "My favorite part of the tour was getting to meet players from the actual team. They were all so nice and we got to take pictures with them," senior Mimi Dietrich said.
Photo Gallery: Girls’ flag football visits UMD
Healthy relationships 101
Healthy relationships 101
The Change-Up: Capitals Edition
The Change-Up: Capitals Edition
The team completes a breathtaking stunt in a pyramid. The high-risk nature of Cheer is always something for the athletes to keep in mind. "Cheerleading is very, very, hard," head coach Vanessa Barnes said. It's one of the most dangerous sports. A lot of people don't know that because it's overlooked, but it is very difficult. Any minute, someone can be dropped from all the way up in the air. That's probably one of the things I would think people need to know about cheerleading."
Photo Gallery: Cheers first competetion
The official student newspaper of Walter Johnson High School

The Pitch
The official student newspaper of Walter Johnson High School

The Pitch
William Murphy

William Murphy, Print Sports Editor

William is thrilled to participate with The Pitch for his second year as a Sports Editor. In his free time, William likes to watch movies and play sports.

All content by William Murphy
Senior Jonathon Fisher lunges at a fumble in the first quarter of a game vs. Richard Montgomery. The play ended up being a major momentum shifter as the Cats' offense went on to score from the recovery.

Wildcat football runs into 2-2 season

William Murphy, Print Sports Editor
October 4, 2024
Junior Daniel Gershon gives a pep talk to Dylan Byrd during the B-CC game last year. Gershon and Byrd were great teammates last season but the star running back recently transferred to Whitman, and will be facing off against Gershon in the Thursday night game.

WJ football set to face former teammate

William Murphy, Print Sports Editor
September 19, 2024

Barons hold Cats in final minutes

William Murphy and Aviva Katz
September 10, 2024
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

September 6, 2024
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?

William Murphy, Print Sports Editor
June 12, 2024
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?

William Murphy and Ian Alves
June 10, 2024
Tipping culture has inflated out of control

Tipping culture has inflated out of control

William Murphy, Print Sports Editor
May 24, 2024
Junior Elsa Santighian cradles the ball down the field as Kristina Einberg attempts to retrieve the ball. The Cats had a tough loss of 11-7 to the Whitman Vikings.

Vikings pounce on Cats in regional finals

Lily Tapparo, Senior Sports Editor
May 21, 2024
LIVE: Boys' lacrosse takes on Churchill HS in regional semifinal

LIVE: Boys’ lacrosse takes on Churchill HS in regional semifinal

Seyun Park, Joshua Singer and William Murphy
May 10, 2024
Dune: Part Two features an impressive cast including Timothee Chalomet, Zendaya, Austin Butler and Christopher Walken. Dune: Part Two is the second half of the movie series based off the bestselling book Dune. (Courtesy IMBD)

Denis Villenueve concocts a thrilling rollercoaster of a movie in Dune: Part Two

William Murphy, Photography Editor
April 24, 2024
Donta Scott jumps for the opening tip-off from Maryland vs. Minnesota in College Park, Maryland. Scott averaged 11 points for the Terps this year but that wasn't enough as the Terps fell to a 16-17 record. (Courtesy Patrick Rouin via Wikimedia Commons)

Maryland Basketball travels into a disappointing season

William Murphy, Photography Editor
March 21, 2024
Senior Sidney Scale promposes during the spring pep rally to his girlfriend after the male pops performance. "I was really surprised and kind of like nervous but it ended up being really good so I'm grateful," senior Maria Goergen Alvarez said.

Promposals spark excitements

Maayan Keren and Michal Shmaya
March 15, 2024
Lieutenant Colonel Benjamin R. Smith poses in full uniform as a member of the US Army. Smith previously was stationed in Hawaii before moving to Bethesda where he now lives with his wife and daughter, Jael who attends WJ.

The life of a Military child at WJ

William Murphy, Photography Editor
March 8, 2024
Sophmore Dylan Byrd rushes the ball on a friday night against BCC. With NIL, athletes like Byrd would be able to profit off their success.

Point/Counterpoint: Should high school athletes get NIL deals?

William Murphy and Ian Alves
February 29, 2024
Senior Guard Isaiah Nickelson shoots the game-sealing free throw in the Wildcats' win over Whitman.

Boys’ basketball slips past Whitman

Mateus Bouquet, Print Sports Editor
February 20, 2024
Sophomore Gianna Granados shows sophomore Stephanie Ramirez her poster while handing her a sticker. “I chose this topic because vaping is something very common among teenagers and we should not do it," Granados said.

Photo gallery – The health fair

Maayan Keren, Staff Writer
February 1, 2024
Sophomore Ethan Pletter works out at Washington Sports Club. This was one of the last times he used this machine as the gym closed on January 31.

Washington Sports Club closes after 20 years

William Murphy, Photography Editor
January 30, 2024
Sophomore Meher Singh draws a henna hand design as a part of the fundraiser. Along with hand designs, the clubs also put on a bake sale to raise the most money possible.

Clubs band together for Gaza refugee fundraiser

William Murphy, Photography Editor
December 19, 2023
Freshmen watch in the distance as the juniors and seniors face off on the 50-yard line in the annual tug-of-war. The seniors overpowered the juniors on-route to winning the whole tournament.

Fall pep rally kicks off fall sports

William Murphy, Photography Editor
September 27, 2023
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