The official student newspaper of Walter Johnson High School

The Pitch
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
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
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
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
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
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
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
Seniors Ellie Weinstein and Naamiah Corke celebrate their win over the Northwood Gladiators with a final score of 34-0.
Ellie Weinstein makes history as first WJ flag football quarterback
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
Billie on the street
Billie on the street
Becca's Closet returns to WJ
Becca’s Closet returns to WJ
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
The official student newspaper of Walter Johnson High School

The Pitch
The official student newspaper of Walter Johnson High School

The Pitch
Zsuzsanna Juhasz

Zsuzsanna Juhasz, Online Managing Editor

Zsuzsanna is an Online Multimedia Managing Editor for the Pitch this year. This is her second year on the Pitch and in her free time, she enjoys writing, reading, and baking.
All content by Zsuzsanna Juhasz
Zsuzsanna Juhasz's senior reflection

Zsuzsanna Juhasz’s senior reflection

Zsuzsanna Juhasz, Online Managing Editor
May 24, 2023
Swift opens "The Eras Tour" by singing "Miss Americana & The Heartbreak Prince."

Taylor Swift lights up 70,000 seat stadium in Philadelphia

Zsuzsanna Juhasz, Online Managing Editor
May 24, 2023
WJ needs a writing center

WJ needs a writing center

Zsuzsanna Juhasz, Online Managing Editor
March 27, 2023

Seniors share advice to incoming freshmen and underclassmen

Yuval Shachar and Zsuzsanna Juhasz
March 14, 2023

Black Student Union celebrates Black History Month by hosting impactful assembly

Zsuzsanna Juhasz, Ishaan Ramola and Sanir Byanjankar
March 1, 2023
Starting Nov. 18, "She Said" has been available for viewing in theaters. The movie exposed the reality of the film industry and how cruel actions get buried in NDAs and wiped away through "he said, she said."

“She Said” exposes reality behind film industry

Zsuzsanna Juhasz, Online Managing Editor
February 22, 2023
Zendaya flaunts her Vivienna Westwood gown at the 87th Academy Awards. In 2015, Zendaya had just recently begun a starring role on Disney's "K.C. Undercover," bringing her out of the sea of minimally-known actors.

Disney serves A-list celebrities to Hollywood

Zsuzsanna Juhasz, Online Managing Editor
February 8, 2023
(From left) Lexie Conaway and Katie Martin rest in between soccer games in 4th grade. The two have been participating in sports and social events since before they could remember.

Middle school friend groups flow into WJ

Zsuzsanna Juhasz, Online Managing Editor
January 24, 2023

Video: Meet WJ’s three acapella groups

Zsuzsanna Juhasz and Ely Snow
January 20, 2023
Gingerbread cookies are a sacred winter specialty that everyone should enjoy. The best part of it is finding and purchasing new creative cookie cutters to use on the dough.

Classic Hungarian “Mezes” gingerbread cookies, easy to make

Zsuzsanna Juhasz, Online Managing Editor
December 21, 2022
On Oct. 21, Taylor Swift released her tenth studio album "Midnights" two months after its initial announcement. Yet again, Swift dazzled in both marketing and creative aspects.

‘God rest my soul’ because Taylor Swift just killed me

Liann Keren and Zsuzsanna Juhasz
November 2, 2022
Early decision is known as a controversial option when applying to colleges. It helped some students get in, whereas many have felt it was not their path to take.

Point/Counterpoint: Is Early Decision worth it?

Zsuzsanna Juhasz and Nour Faragallah
November 2, 2022
High schoolers attend a field trip as an extension of what they're learning in class. Not enough students have gotten the opportunity to participate in field trips, forcing them to miss out on important real-world experiences.

Teachers experience difficulties planning field trips

Zsuzsanna Juhasz, Online Managing Editor
October 20, 2022
WJ hosts WJ v Whitman game on Sept. 9 where all grades gather to support the team. Attending football games was an exciting experience that more students should take advantage of.

Should students be more involved in school events?

Zsuzsanna Juhasz, Online Managing Editor
September 21, 2022
The March for Our Lives movement protests on the street to gather support and sway politicians. People came together to rally in the National Mall, spreading their message about the need for gun control.

Are students not feeling safe at school?

Zsuzsanna Juhasz, Staff Writer
June 14, 2022

WJ Prom 2022 recap

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

Q&A with student member of the board Arvin Kim

Zsuzsanna Juhasz, Seyun Park and Ely Snow
May 20, 2022
From left to right, Riddhi Sadhanala, Marissa Campos, and Mwape Sokoni show off a collection from American Eagle. They enjoyed picking pieces that really spoke to their style. "Their selection was great; I can't wait to do it again," Campos said.

Meet WJ’s fashion club

Zsuzsanna Juhasz, Staff Writer
May 20, 2022

Superintendent Monifa McKnight holds MCPS community meeting at WJ

Nicole Weaver and Zsuzsanna Juhasz
May 5, 2022
As the weather changes, students turn to helpful fashion magazines for stylistic advice. Cosmopolitan, Vogue and Elle were popular choices that influenced students.

Predicting Spring fashion trends

Zsuzsanna Juhasz, Staff Writer
March 29, 2022
"Today Tonight Tomorrow" is a classic contemporary ya romance perfect for fans of "The Hating Game."

Pitch Book Club: Today Tonight Tomorrow

Zsuzsanna Juhasz, Aya Hesham, Meron Berhe and Cyiza Andemambika
March 29, 2022
As Covid restrictions are being lifted, eager moviegoers are happy to return to the theaters. In Houston, people have improvised in a safer way; they watched from outside in comfortable chairs under a bright purple sky.

Returning to theaters

Zsuzsanna Juhasz, Staff Writer
March 22, 2022
A testing scantron for standardized tests is blank and ready to be filled out. Similar formats have been used for exams with multiple-choice responses.

Struggles of balancing ACT/SAT testing

Zsuzsanna Juhasz, Staff Writer
February 18, 2022
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