The official student newspaper of Walter Johnson High School

The Pitch
Donate
Advertise
The official student newspaper of Walter Johnson High School

The Pitch
The official student newspaper of Walter Johnson High School

The Pitch
KPRO members pose for a group photo after their Hallyu performance. They started practicing two months before the performance, and met up one per week for two hours to practice all together. "We all put in so much effort, and I am so grateful for those who came and supported us," senior Vice President Alexis Batac said.
K-pop dance team performs at Hallyu showcase
Mia Magone, Business Manager • Mar 22, 2025
Junior Norah Youssef shoots a three-pointer in the first half of the regional semifinals loss against Churchill High School. Although stars such as Youssef helped cut the early deficit down to one, it wasn't enough as the Cats' season came to a close.
Girls’ basketball ends season with frustrating loss against Churchill
Jeremy Silberglied, Print Sports Editor • Mar 7, 2025
The boys' and girls' team stand together on the podium after both winning a state title. "That was pretty much the goal the whole year, to have both teams win together so we can both celebrate together because we’ve won boys, we’ve won girls before but just never together so it was nice to go up there on the podium together at one," head coach Jamie Grimes said. (Courtesy Marcus Chen)
WJ swim conquer states, win co-titles
William Murphy, Print Sports Editor • Mar 7, 2025
The cost of an in-state college is significantly lower than an out-of-state or private university. This can be a challenge for students who wish to attend an out-of-state of private college.
By the numbers: the cost of college for WJ students
Maya Panicker, Print Editor-in-Chief • Mar 7, 2025
MCPS Superintendent Dr. Thomas Taylor pretends to take a phone call in the middle of a Board meeting as part of a humorous illustration about the distraction of cell phones. Taylor and MCPS staff will soon be revising MCPS's regulation on the use of personal mobile devices in school.
County, state policymakers take aim at cell phones in schools
Seyun Park and Elli Karistinou • Mar 7, 2025
Decorative Background
Latest in Print
News
U.S President Donald Trump welcomes Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu at the entrance of the White House in Washington, U.S., February 4, 2025. On Feb. 4, Trump doubled down to relocate the Palestinians from the Gaza strip.
World reacts to Trump’s Gaza reconstruction plan, Trump looking to turn strip into beach resort
Ethan Pletter, Online Sports Editor
Thousands of Jewish teens gather at BBYO's International Convention in Denver, Colorado. The four-day event took place over Presidents Day weekend and hosted over 5,000 teens from all over the world.
Jewish teens react to recent surge in antisemitism
Jonathan Bahat, Print Opinion Editor
A group of students of various student organizations dance and laugh. “It turned out really amazing," senior and BSU President Mwape Sokoni said. "It’s always really stressful, but by the time I actually got to watch it I was really blown away with all the work everyone had done.”
Black History Month assembly highlights cultural diaspora, promotes unity
Liam Barrett, Gabby Davids and Meher Parsinni
SMOB candidates (left to right), Montgomery Blair High School junior Anuva Maloo, WJ junior Sebastian Hernandez, WJ junior Anna Jhon, Northwest High School junior Peter Boyko and John F. Kennedy High School junior Richa Tripathi sit on stage at the nominating convention, discussing their goals for MCPS. (Courtesy Arjun Rao)
SMOB finalists selected at nominating convention
Kareena Panicker, Print News Editor
Decorative Background
WJ Sports
"I know that I have to tell myself that no one wants it more than I do, I have to wrestle the best I ever have," Junior Sonia Pegoue said.
Spring Sports Preview: Girls' Lacrosse
The softball team celebrates and awaits as senior Carly Gilder rounds the bases after hitting a home run. Gilder's home run was the first hit she had gotten off of Churchill pitcher Maggie King in nine attempts and sealed the victory for the Wildcats in the regional semifinal.
Spring Sports Preview: Baseball
Listen to The Pitch Radio Network
wjpitch is on Mixlr
Tune in for select sports games with play-by-play commentary brought to you by Pitch commentators
Photos
Freshman Renu Vijayaraj dances to Kannazhaga, a South Indian song. "We worked on it for four months,” Vijayaraj said. "I was happy with how it went, it was really fun."
A student holds up her answer to a trivia question as her teammates look to the projector screen for the answer. Most of the questions were random, but the tiebreakers focused, appropriately, on the heart.
Videos
Spring Sports Preview: Girls’ Tennis
Spring Sports Preview: Track & Field
Engineering club showcases projects, educates students
William Murphy and Elizabeth Finn
A student’s pocket guide to the Burrito Mile
Josh Hananel, Online Editor-in-Chief
Follow our Instagram
Feature
Class of '24 amateur poms performs at the spring pep rally. Amateur poms, formerly known as male poms, is a long standing tradition at the WJ spring pep rally.
Amateur poms faces quick turn around
Isabel Chomas and Elizabeth Finn
Students celebrate diverse cultures during International week
Students celebrate diverse cultures during International week
Ivan Duchkov, Staff Writer
When you receive a roommate, there is a possibility to request a room change. Some schools have different requirements regarding how long after the beginning of the school year until requesting a change.
To room or not to room: The process of finding a college roommate
Aviva Katz, Copy Editor
Most people's Snap Maps consist of people they are friends with, acquaintances or even strangers. With just the press of a button, so many people are able to view their Snapchat friends' locations.
Snap Maps: Is it a trap?
Maayan Keren, Print Feature Editor
Arts & Entertainment
This was the title screen for the first two seasons of "Euphoria." It is unknown in the third season if the logo, or the show's aesthetic, will change.
All for us: HBO Max’s ‘Euphoria’ makes a return
Billie Lieber, Podcast Editor
Fans were so excited for Tate McRae's third studio album that they just couldn't wait and leaked the "So Close To What" weeks before the drop. Now that the album is out, it really makes sense why.
“So Close to” Perfection: Tate McRae album Review
Shae McCloskey, Print Feature Editor
WJ Jazz Ensemble prepares for next song. The ensemble performed on The Bijou stage at the Mid-Atlantic Jazz Festival, Feb. 15. “When I first auditioned I wasn't really familiar with [the genre], but I feel like I’ve really grown a lot. As a jazz musician it’s pretty natural,” senior pianist Meley Ghermey said.
All that jazz at WJ
Marie-Isabelle Nachega, Print Opinion Editor
Macie Redmond sings at Babycat Brewery. She practiced for three weeks leading up to it. "It was probably my favorite gig I've ever played," Redmond said.
Artist Spotlight: WJ students shine in the arts
Michal Shmaya, Olivia Stokes and Sabrina Solares
Opinion
Runners start warmup laps for winter track tryouts after school. Tryouts are held every year in November with the season closing in late March. Runners wear jogging pants and sweatshirts to protect from the cold and the wind.
Winter track is running out of style
Ben Goodstein, Business Manager
Point/Counterpoint: Are WJ students overinvolved in APs?
Point/Counterpoint: Are WJ students overinvolved in APs?
The WJ bocce team uniquely features both people with and without disabilities. They've been able to build a positive team rapport and have a good time throughout the season, win or lose.
Inclusive sports teams should serve as ‘golden standard’ to follow
Jeremy Silberglied, Print Sports Editor
Pitch Opinion: The fall of Leadership
Pitch Opinion: The fall of Leadership
Pitch Editorial Board
Donate to The Pitch
$481
$1000
Contributed
Our Goal