The Pitch Senior Issue 2020 by WJ Pitch

The Pitch Class of 2020 Senior Issue

Molly Benson

Zachary Meyers

Austin Mucchetti

Kayla Kahrl

Bradley Woodside

Lily Salvatore

Arturo Alipio

Allie Rothman

2 0 2 0 W J H S

Charley Becker

Jackie Maloney

Izzy Zavareei

28 Cover designed by Rafael Friedlander

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Pitch Pitch senior staff say their goodbyes and reflect on their experiences these past four years at Walter Johnson High School SENIOR REFLECTIONS

Ƥ Ǥ had always wanted to play soc ǡ

Ǥ ͝ Ƥ Ǥ ơ Ǥ published in the school paper, and I remember that sense of Ƥ Ǥ more accomplished when I saw Ǥ ƥ ǡ Ǥ ǡ Ǥ be one of the best choices I’ve made in my life, it was also a Ǥ ǡ been more shy and reluctant Ǥ

some reason, by the end of that ǡ

Ǥ I wanted to leave my mark on WJ and help make the follow ǡ to completely leave my comfort sands of my peers in a school Ǥ election, I was obviously happy, but I was more pleased to have ơǤ felt ready to take on my senior Ǥ ǡ look back on my senior year and remember all the incred Ǥ ǯ Ǥ and Leadership has allowed me to meet a lot of new people Ǥ Ƥ at orientation that only three years later I would be address ͞ǡͣ͜͜ rally, there is absolutely no way

Ǥ had told me that I would be an editor for the school paper ǡ ǯ Ǥ

ǡ ǡ Ƥ Ǥ to thank all of my teachers and ǡ Ǥ Ƥ Ǥ

ǡ essays I’ve written have had a Ǥ be appropriate for this to have ǡ Ǥ ƪ Ǥ Well, put simply, they were Ǥ were crazy, fun, and stressful ǯ ǡ ơ Ǥ ǯ ͝ Ǥ ǡ ǯ miss 20% of the same year due ǡ ǯ to have three concussions in Ǥ Ȅ happened and I’m a better man Ǥ ǯ Ǥ ǡ ǯ Ǥ ǡ times (many times in my situ Ȍǡ Ǥ I learned how to cultivate relationships with teachers and ơ Ǥ classroom, too, thanks to help from some of the best teachers ơ Ǥ are all lessons I will take into Ǥ

have a lot of work, but not the Ǥ

Ǥ ǡ ǯ ǯ Ǥ ǫ Ǥ Ƥ

Ǧ ǫ Ǥ Ƥ Ǥ schools, WJ isn’t a perfect place, but that does not mean ǯ Ǥ ǡ me to do that while still be ơ Ǥ a lot here, so if I was asked to ƪ ǡ

ǣ ǡ Ǥ ǡ ǯ Ǥ ǯ Ǥ ǡ Ǥ It is still important to prioritize your studies, no matter where Ǥ ǡ ǡ Ǥ Ƥ Ǥ ǡ

Ǥ Ǥ have made and kept friends in fully talk to for the rest of my Ǥ really care about me as a per Ǥ ǡ had teachers who asked about ǡ if we needed someone to talk Ǥ Ǥ ǯ responsibility to let them into Ǥ

Ǥ ǯ Ǥ Ǥ smile on her face as she ơ ent sections in the newspa Ǥ that she was passionate publication and it instantly Ǥ ǡ learned about each section individually and be Ǥ class was to prepare us to write for the newspaper the which section we connect Ǥ ǡ ǡ ǡ Ƭ ǡ it came time to choose our position on the Pitch for my mind, the choice was Ǥ Ǥ

you can write about any topic and it allows you to interview people all around Ǥ both my creativity and Ǥ ture, I never really had an ativity and ideas because

ǯ ǣ ǡ ǡ ǡ Ǣ has turned out to be a bit Ǥ Ǥ Pitch allowed me to write sun and make that piece my own, which was some ǯ Ǥ

Ƥ ǡ memories and lessons I’ve Ǥ learned to be a better writer, but also learned how to ǡ player, brainstorm ideas and create content that Ǥ ǡ didn’t end the way anyone ǡ at peace because I know I made the most of these three and a half years and learned countless lessons that I will carry with me to Ǥ activities that I truly cared as to what I may want to do Ǥ so many students and teachers who have helped shape me into who I am Ǥ

spent there, and even with ǡ have so many other mem ǯ Ǥ ǯ learned over these years ǣ ǡ Ƥ you’re passionate about ǣ Ǥ ǡ relationships with people ơ ơ new perspective and there’s so much you can learn from Ǥ ơ and students at WJ for ǡ ǡ Ǥ ǡ Ǥ I’ve learned so much from Ǥ

Austin Mucchetti Online Copy Editor I am less than two weeks away Ƥ Ǥ

Ǥ ǯ Ǥ this time and anticipation, hours and hours of hard work, ǯ Ǥ ǡ ǯ Ǥ my friends, to thank the teachers that have been there for me who I am today, and to take one Ƥ Ǧ ƪ Ǥ

Ǥ I had an incredible four years at WJ and it helped shape me into Ǥ Ƥ at freshman orientation was Ǥ Ƥ ǡ ơ Ǥ Ǥ ƥ started, and I learned how in man to share the hallways with Ǥ ǯ Ǥ me and still felt comfortable, Ǥ ǡ ơ feel a lot more connected to Ǥ fall, where I was able to represent my school and meet a lot of new people with similar in Ǥ ǡ

Kayla Kahrl Online Feature Editor

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ǯ ǡ and I saw Journalism was an elective, I decided to Ǥ Ƥ school, I walked into Jour the class was about or what

May 29, 2020

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Jack Linde Sports Photographer

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Daria London Online Editor-in-Chief

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Theodore Roosevelt once said, “Comparisons are the thief of joy.” Throughout all four years of high school, I’ve tried everything to avoid the toxic comparisons that plague every encounter. I avoided investigating my peer’s academic statistics, deleting every one of my social media accounts and refusing to obsess over naviance scattergrams. I’ve always feared comparison—something practically impossible to avoid in the overwhelmingly rigid social hierarchy at WJ. However, the newfound Ƥ Ƥ derstand what a “comparison” should Ǥ ǯ Ƥ to the microcosm of an Instagram page, but rather it illuminates the disparities within our world.

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May 29, 2020

Every story has an end I park-shame students for The Pitch. An Uyghur is put into a concentration camp in China. Someone makes fun of my ACT score. A gay man is stoned to death in Indonesia. I lose a tennis match. A baby starves to death in Su Ǥ Ƥ aid. Protests in Hong Kong intensify. I get admitted to college. A mysterious Ƥ han. My high school career has been confusing because every observation I made about my four years at WJ was some sort of contradiction. Time moved rapidly slowly. The student body was diversely uniform. The building was massively small. However, my confusion has now become a state of clarity. I’ve come to ƪ comes from contradiction and comparison. These terms don’t have to be synonymous with unhappiness or discomfort; rather they can be calls for innovation, agents of awareness and transformations of perspective. I no longer shy away from contradiction or comparison. Now, they are mysteries I yearn to solve. Thank you, Walter Johnson, for helping me understand this and countless other lessons throughout these four years. I also want to thank The Pitch for the most challenging enjoyment I could ever ask for, where I’ve learned Ƥ Ǥ best advisor Mrs. Borrelli, thank you for transforming my high school experience into an unforgettable one. I couldn’t have made it this far without you.

Julia Hananel Online Editor-in-Chief Ever since my older brother told me about his favorite Pitch memory -- his interview with TopDolla Sweizy, the “famous” rapper who used to hang out in G-Square -- I knew I wanted to join The Pitch when I entered high school. The idea of interviewing people from the community and knowing “the scoop” at WJ really appealed to me. Now, after two years of experience as an editor, it’s safe to say that my experiences on The Pitch have exceeded my expectations. From academic cheating to student drug use to shoplifting in G-Square, I tried to think of any topics to write about that would get people talking, and get more people reading The Pitch. Through countless interviews, I learned so much about the student body and talked with people I otherwise wouldn’t have interacted with. But beyond all these cool interviews, by working on The Pitch I got to collaborate with some of the most creative and hardworking people at WJ. We each have our own unique ideas about contributing to The Pitch, and I’ve learned so much from working with other editors and writers. I’ll never forget working on iconic spreads with my fellow Feature Editor, Kiley, and all the time I Ƥ ishing up pages in InDesign. Other than joining The Pitch, the best ơ Ƥ when choosing classes. Looking back on junior year, I remember my friends’ reactions after showing them my schedule. “Four electives? “Three music classes?” “Why aren’t you in physics?” Ƥ tional, but I chose courses I was pas-

SENIOR REFLECTIONS

For those of you who know me, you probably know I’m not one to get caught up in emotional extremes. I consider myself pretty mellow and ǡ ơ as me being disinterested or neutral to what’s going on around me. However, as progressing through high school has helped me discover, I also have a passionate, motivated and expressive side. I believe that these attributes helped me hone in on exactly what I enjoy at school, and can be of value to almost anyone. Before I found The Pitch, I had a couple of setbacks that made me question if participating in WJ activities was for me. I joined the debate team freshman year, but only lasted one match before losing interest. Then, after months of practice, I got cut from the JV basketball team, which was a huge blow. I felt like I didn’t have my own place in the overcrowded halls, and allowed myself to take a back seat and not seek out opportunities. Taking Journalism 1 sophomore year and then joining The Pitch the next was one of the best choices I made in high school, one I’m so glad I made. Writing for The Pitch gave me a voice and a sense of ownership over my school, and I developed great relationships in the environment of Room 193. I also had athletic success as a sophomore, making the JV basketball team and playing Varsity baseball. I learned ơ sports, but enjoyed them both a great amount. Through basketball, I saw Ƥ ơ on the court, and the value of leadership by example. As a sophomore on Ƥ playing time for JV the year before, I was forced to put myself in unfamiliar Ƥ Ǥ Spending three years on the baseball

Will Cohen Online Editor-in-Chief

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team vastly improved my leadership skills and my ability to focus on a task, which I believe has also translated to success in the classroom. By having two to three activities I was really passionate about, I was able to devote my energy on these things and not feel pressure to overextend myself, which many students feel compelled to do in today’s cutthroat environment of college admissions. These core activities were also valuable social outlets for me, Ƥ body who gets involved at school. Now, as our senior year comes to the most uneventful end imaginable, and we miss out on spring sports, prom, graduation and more, I can’t help but feel we were robbed. While our time at WJ feels incomplete, we shouldn’t discount the experiences of the past four Ǥ ƪ your time in high school and you’ll soon realize that everything you tried here shaped who you are today, for better or for worse, and no infected bat can ever take that away from you.

Judith Altneu Print News Editor

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sionate about, which gave me a much better high school experience than if I were to toil through classes I had no interest in. I know being at a school like WJ, with some of the most ambitious students, it’s hard not to feel pressure to have the most rigorous classes. While I think it’s important to challenge yourself, I think it’s even more important your schedule makes you happy. For me, that meant taking band classes instead of another AP history class. Maybe my resume would have been more competitive if I had opted for that additional AP, but I would have regretted missing out on Jazz Band, which ended up being one of my favorite and most rewarding experiences. While seniors’ time at WJ ended abruptly, I don’t have any regrets about the way I spent my time during high school. I can’t thank The Pitch and Mrs. Borrelli enough for teaching me lifelong lessons and giving me memories to keep forever.

When I stepped into Room 193 for Ƥ ǡ Ƥ year, I had no idea what to expect. To be honest, I had never picked up a copy of The Pitch before then. I was highly encouraged to take Journalism 1 by my parents, because I was (and maybe still am) interested in becoming a sports reporter, and my parents wanted to see if I would like it before applying to colleges. Thank you Mom and Dad for encouraging me to sign up for journalism. I don’t regret the decision one bit. Journalism and The Pitch have been two of my favorite classes I have taken at WJ. My connection to WJ changed since I began writing for The Pitch. I have felt more connected to WJ than ever before. I have formed many friend ơ articles and content that are relatable and interesting to the students. Working on The Pitch has enabled me to get to know many students that I would have never gotten to know otherwise. I’m always excited to see the school read The Pitch and know that I have given back to WJ. I’m never going to forget taking pictures at Clash of Classes, one of my photos making it into the Pitch, the stresses and laughter of press week, delivering The Pitch, laying out the front page and so much more!

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Special shoutout to Emily and Emma. I Ƥ didn’t know you guys, but I loved working with you so much. Thank you for being the best print news editors I could have ever asked to work with! Thank you WJ for introducing me to some of my closest friends and helping Ƥ Ǥ memories between the football games, the senior picnic, lunch times, the pep rallies, (obviously) The Pitch and so much more. I couldn’t ask for a better high school experience! Thank you to everyone who made the last four years super special!

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May 29, 2020

ƪ ǡ out is The Pitch. I had signed up to take Digital Art my freshman year, just to get my art credit out of the way. I couldn’t, and still can’t, do any sort of art with my hands, but

Ƥ be easy enough. I was wrong. The intricate ways of Photoshop were too much for me to

handle, and four days in, I was afraid I might actually fail Digital Art––in retrospect, I probably could’ve stuck it out, or maybe not. We’ll never know. Either way, I’m glad I quit because that’s how I discovered The Pitch. I switched into Journalism, the pre-requisite for The Pitch. My parents had been pushing me to do it, plus I had some friends ǡ Ƥ ǫ turned out, I had quite the passion for Journalism and writing, and it’s now something I’ll be pursuing in college. I am forever grateful to our wonderful adviser Mrs. Borrelli for piquing my interest and giving me such a great foundation. I never would’ve guessed that The Pitch would turn out to be my most meaningful school activity. I’ll forever cherish the late nights I spent after school, laying ơǤ I also played baseball and ran indoor track, both of which meant a lot to me as well. On paper, newspaper, baseball and track don’t seem that compatible. After all, baseball players are often slow, runners are always ǡ ǡ ơ aren’t typically athletes. But being a part of ơ ơ friends. Of course, the people within each ơ Ȅ ơ can be athletes too, and vice-versa. Spending hours in freezing temperatures running Ƥ long games or sweating out a press deadline

Ƥ ǡ grade. While I don’t remember the event or particular reason I was there, I will always remember that initial feeling. The spiraling staircases and lengthy hallways were daunting. Everywhere I went I just seemed to get more lost and drowned in the surroundings. At the time it all seemed like a confusing Ƥ out. However, after a summer of heavy an ǡ Ƥ a Wildcat, with all my great high school moments still ahead. Now, during my senior year, I’m looking back on all those moments that got me here: ơ ͤ͜͞͝Ǧͥ͝ was the start of something big. That was the Ƥ school where I belonged as well as the start ơǤ beginning of countless articles, interviews, press hours and great memories. Ƥ article in print. I was ecstatic when they decided to add my piece to the sports section. It was a feeling of accomplishment, a feeling that would continually drive my passion for The Pitch for many issues to come. I put so ơ

and the feeling of having an article go up for the school to see was always very rewarding. There were so many memorable times, such as when my Hannukah article got a shoutout on Twitter. But perhaps what will always stick out occurred during the middle of the year, and would play the biggest part ơǤ was an opening for a new Opinion Editor at the time, and while I was intrigued at the thought of applying, I was still unsure if I was good enough or if they would really choose me. But looking back on it now, going for that position is one of the greatest decisions I ever made in my high school career. After I had earned the position of Opinion Editor, I didn’t look back. My next greatest decision was applying for Managing Editor. It was hard to imagine ơ ǡ and now I was looking to be on the editorial board. I will always remember the nervewracking feeling of sitting there and waiting to hear what position I would be. My heart was pounding out of my chest. The moment I heard my name as one of the Managing Editors was one of the most surreal and rewarding moments of my life.

Kiley Ring

there. Every early morning, late night and school day in between. I can wholeheartedly say that the past few years have been the best of my entire life, and everything has changed more than I can even comprehend, especially myself. When I Ƥ ͜͢͞͝ǡ ǡ Go had just dominated the summer and I was about eight inches shorter than I am now. I remember only doing the easy spirits and going to a couple of football games, thinking that being decked out in spirit was lame and the football games weren’t that interesting. I tried out for the cheer team and made JV but ended up deciding that cheerleading wasn’t really my thing. Sophomore year I needed an elective to take, and I had always loved writing, so I decided to take Journalism. I didn’t really know anybody else who was taking it and I kept to myself most of the year, but fast forward two years and taking that class was easily one of the best decisions I’ve made.. My time on the Pitch has meant everything to me. I’ve gotten to be part of an amazing team of people who share similar interests with myself. ͥ͟͝ǡ moving text boxes and images around the screen tediously for hours, were all worth it, although if you were to ask me a year and a

Thomas Wolfson Print Editor-in-Chief

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Print Editor-in-Chief

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Out of the thousands of assignments I’ve had to complete over the past four years, this is probably the hardest yet. As my years at WJ have come to an unexpected end, I’ve been thinking about all the time I’ve spent

SENIOR REFLECTIONS

Ƥ thought you didn’t have a lot in common with. I’ll treasure those friendships. I’m in no position to give any real sort of advice to underclassmen who don’t even know me, but I’ll do it anyway: just know that high school isn’t easy for anyone. Everyone’s high ơ ǡ deal with stress and anxiety in some way. If high school is a fun and memorable time for ǡ Ǥ ǯ ǡ ǯ Ƥ too; there’s still much to look forward to. Lastly, I’d like to address the great Class of 2020. This has been an unfortunate end to our time at Walter Johnson. We all saw Ǧ ơ ͣ͜͞͝ǡ ͤ͜͞͝ ͥ͜͞͝ ǡ Ǥ We didn’t ultimately get the “same,” but, it’s Ƥ ơ Ǥ nessed both winning football and basketball teams, something almost unheard of before we arrived, and we helped infuse a certain pride into being a Wildcat and Madcow that will leave a lasting imprint on years of future Ǥ Ǧͥ͝ that away. In many ways, these past four years felt like a Golden Age for WJ, and I’m grateful to have been a small part of it. Eventually, the smaller details of my high school experience may fade away, but I’ll never forget how lucky I was to attend Walter Johnson High School. I couldn’t have imagined going to a better place.

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Matthew Shea Managing Editor ǡ ơ ent. On our publication dates, I loved see Ƥ paper and talking about my classmates’ and my hard work. By no means was high school easy, but no matter what I was going through, I was surrounded by the absolute best people to get me through it. From drama to typical high school stress to writing a story that I never thought I had the courage to share publicly (read about it on The Pitch website!), I never doubted that I had an amazing support system behind me. Everyone at the school wanted me to succeed, and with their help I was able to accomplish so much and make friends and memories that will last long beyond my days at WJ. Without a traditional prom and graduation, I have been missing the little moments with my friends more than ever. Going shopping for spirit wear at the beginning of the ǡ Ƥ the bleachers before football games, cheering at the pep rallies; all of it seemed to go by just a bit too fast. Even though college app season seemed to drag on for years -- juniors, be warned -- I would do anything to go back to October and wig-a-lo with the cheer team one more time. To my fellow graduating seniors, we made it!

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Carol Demitz Print Editor-in-Chief For four years straight, and even before in some cases, all we are taught to think about is college. Starting freshman year we are supposed to plan out classes on Naviance going all the way into our senior year. Personally I extremely overestimated the kinds of classes I would be willing to take. What I have learned through these past years is that focusing all of your attention on the future and what will make colleges happy is not the way Ƥ years of your life. Freshman year I signed up for about eight clubs at the picnic, and never went to a single one. I thought that I would join all of these clubs, stay in them for years, and show ơ Ǥ into sports, school and most importantly making friends. Navigating a new school is challenging, and if all you are trying to do is get involved in everything, it is going to be more frustrating than rewarding. One of the best things I joined was the Pitch. Not only have I met so many people, it also helped me grow and prepared me for college and life beyond that. I have a much greater sense of what it means to actually be held accountable for things. I think that MCPS does not do a good job of preparing us for what it means to be out in the real world. There is no 50% rule or any of the exceptions once you get out of high school. While I think that it is good to take advantage of that, it was also good that I learned to succeed without it. If something did not get done, then it simply didn’t get done and there was nothing on the page. Then if that happened other people would have to work even harder to make up for it. I had to learn time management, especially during days when I had volleyball and I had to stay after school to work on pages. Even though it was ƥ ǡ change anything. Overall, highschool has been fun, stressful and everything in between. I wish I had been able to experience the last three months, but everything else makes up for it. There were times I wish I had focused on school more, and times where I didn’t. The teachers, the sports and activities and most importantly the people I met along the way were the reason I enjoyed WJ so much. Although my last time seeing many of you was through a screen and not donned in cap and gown, I’m so glad to have grown alongside all of you, some of whom I have known Ƥ with blocks. Four years ago I came to high school not knowing what to expect. Along the way, I learned far more than what I was taught in my classes. I learned never to step on the Wildcat under the clock, always take the side staircases, order food from G-Square during fourth period and only chant three times Ƥ Ǥ ǡ always a Wildcat.

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MILESTONES MISSED M

MAY 29, 2020

MISSED MILESTONES By Lily Salvatore Sa and Allie Rothman Staff Writer and Bussiness Manager As seniors in high school, second semester is the holy grail; Prom, decision day, graduation and more long awaited milestones build immense anticipation. For 12 years, the class of 2020 has patiently waited for senior second semester, but this year’s is somewhat...unconventional. Due to COVID-19, everything seniors have waited for has been put on hold, if not cancelled. Prom and graduation seem like a rite of passage for seniors at this point in the year. For the past three years, this year’s seniors have watched every senior class pose in their prom dresses and graduation gowns, longing for the day to walk the stage and take their diploma. It’s hard to believe that day may never come for the class of 2020. Many seniors, however, are refusing not to honor what they have accomplished and instead have developed their own ways of commemorating their senior year milestones. Some senior girls who’d already purchased their prom dresses decided to participate in their own prom photoshoots; some even went to D.C. to capture the “traditional” prom pictures by the Washington Monument with their families. “Being able to dress up and take pictures downtown brightened up my day a lot,” senior Olivia Tetrault said. “Of course I wish I could take pictures with my friends but being able to celebrate prom in my own way was fun.” Senior, O Some students even made masks that matched their prom dresses. dress o livia McberPrhyoto Courtesy of O livia , poses n what “I took pictures with my mask on to make sure I remember this time in my life and how itt prom n in herMcberry ight, pre was suppose p d to b rom affected me,” senior Holly Darby said. “Not only do my pictures encapsulate a high school ol nior pro pared fo e WJ’s m. r h e r at-ho milestone, but an unforgettable time in history.” me seMay 1 also was national college decision day. On this day, seniors traditionally go to school ool decked out in their future school’s gear to celebrate their future plans. As a substitution for the at-school recognition, some seniors formulated at-home college photoshoots. It’s definitely difficult for the senior class to sit and watch the special days pass, but there is certainly room for creativity in celebrating their last high school moments. On May 7, Governor Larry Hogan announced that all Maryland schools would not be returning to in-person classes this year. Seniors are sad to see the last part of their high school career slip by, without so much as even as the last day. There have been so many teachers and mentors in senior’s lives, not being able to thank them for all they have done, and saying goodbye for the last time is heart wrenching. While seniors can’t be together during the final days of high school, the individual celebrations and make-shift events the senior class has created are admirable moments of happiness during a time defined by such negativity. “While we are living in a ttime of such uncertainty, one thing is for sure, the class of 2020 and the experience e we had will not be forgotten,” Darby said.

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Photo Courtesy of Rion Kato

Photo Courtesy of Natan Glazer

Photo Courtesy of Alexander Coleman Jr

Photo Courtesy of Jake Goldberg

Up Bat at

“For my friend’s birthday in April, a bunch of our friends had a car parade, where we all drove by her house.” - Rion Kato

“One thing I was looking forward to was our senior prank and doing the Philly cheesesteak challenge, hopefully there will be time where we can do both.” - Natan Glazer

“My mom took a bunch of photos of me dressed up for prom and then we had a Zoom call with a bunch of other people in out family who are graduating this year.” - Alexander Coleman Jr

“One thing I’ve missed is being able to see my friends and catch up with people. ” - Jake Goldberg

Pitch

May 29, 2020

Academic Standout

Artist Standout

ǣ Ƥ ǫ A: I tried out for the WJ soccer team freshman year and got cut, so I decided to join the cross country team. Q: When did you know that you had a chance to become a ͝ ǫ A: At the end of junior year my times were dropping and ͝ Ǥ None of those schools appealed to me and I wanted more so I worked hard over the summer to get more coaches attention and commit to a school I genuinely wanted to go to. Q: What accomplishment with WJ track are you most proud of? A: I’m most proud of winning states during cross country and going to both Nike and Footlocker national championships. Q: Is there one teammate that stands out as being an important mentor/friend? ǣ Ƥ because she is very encouraging of my decisions and always pushes me to be my best. ǣ Ƭ Ƥ gram in the future? A: I hope to see all the underclassmen stepping up as leaders and hopefully win another team state title!

JennaGoldberg Athlete Standout

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May 29, 2020

Alex Rojas

Izzy Zaveerei Q: What types of art do you do? ǣ ȋ ơȌ I also love painting and drawing. Q: How has WJ allowed you to pursue your art? A: This year I took double period AP studio art, digital art and also did cartoons for The Pitch. WJ has given me so many opportunities to grow as an artist which has been really cool for me. Q: Has your art focused around any theme lately? A: Yes. My most recent piece that I did for my AP portfolio is ƪ ͥ͝ ơ Ǥ Q: What are your future plans? A: I’m going to VCUArts to pursue art but I don’t know what

ǯ Ǥ Ƥ creative job in the future.

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SENIOR STANDOUTS

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5ƅ ǒ+ Əǖ Jacqui Moss Academic Standout Q: Where did Harvard stand on your list during the application process? A: “I didn’t expect to get in at all, so I never really considered ǡ Ƥ ǯ to go there from the start.” Q: What about Harvard attracted you to the school? A: “The academics and I guess the opportunities with which it would provide me.” Q: What do you plan to study at Harvard? A: “I think either Chinese or math, but I’m not completely sure yet.” Q: Was there a certain individual who you think was a mentor/ contributed greatly to your success? A: “I’ve had a lot of people that have pushed me to succeed, Ǥ ơ in AP Chemistry my sophomore year, and he showed me what potential I had.” Q: What advice would you give to juniors who are beginning their college application process now? A: “Don’t underestimate yourself: apply to your dream school even if you think you don’t have a chance of getting in. Also, don’t stress too much during the process because eventually it will be over and it will be so rewarding!”

Q: What was your strongest motivation to study and do additional work? ǣ Ƥ in high school, then I worked hard to make them a reality. Q: How many AP’s did you take throughout high ƥ ǫ ǣ ͟͝ ǡ diligently studied, took homework seriously, and paid attention in my class, I was able to manage my workload without stress. ǣ ơ ǫ A: outside of school I play soccer and swim, and I participate in Best Buddies. Q: Does having a twin brother push you to work harder in school? A: it used to when we were younger, but I think as we grew older and our interests diverged, we lost interest in competing with each other in school Q: What is the best way for you to learn?\ A:The best way for me to learn is doing practice problems in textbooks in addition to the homework, and being engaged in class lectures

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SENIOR STANDOUTS

Kayla Kazemzadeh Gap Year Standout Q: What made you decide on taking a gap year? A: I’ve always wanted to teach English in Iran so I thought before school would be the best time because after college I’ll probably get a job. ǣ Ƥ ǫ A: I think it’s really important to have a break from transitional school learning that teaches you about the “real world”. Q: Do you recommend others take a gap year? ǣ Ƥ Ǥ ǯ good way to do something meaningful before college and also step out into the world. Q: Has coronavirus changed your plans considering the high number of cases in Iran? A: Coronavirus has changed my plans slightly, but the number of cases in Iran are decreasing rapidly - life is going back to normal there because they started social distancing early. Q: What inspired you to teach English in iran? A: My sister knows I love traveling and also Iran, so was the one who suggested I go there for the year! Q: What do you plan on studying in the future? A: For college, I deferred from two schools: The University of Edinburgh, and The University of Maryland. I plan to attend the University of Edinburgh if everything goes alright!

Dror Yaniv Music Standout Q: How many hours on average do you spend practicing each day, and what do you practice? ǣ ͞Ǧ͟ Ǥ ͣ͜ I practice is technique such as scales, long tones and exercises which strengthen the physical aspects of playing trumpet. The rest of my practice is working up etudes and solos. Q: How did you decide that you wanted to pursue a degree in music? A: By the beginning of eighth grade I already knew I wanted to play professionally, so choosing to study music in college wasn’t a decision I had to make because when the time came to think about college, I already knew exactly what I wanted to do. Q: What was the audition process like with preparing repertoire, traveling, etc.? A: The audition process was not as exciting as I thought it would be, because it was just doing more of what I was already doing. I actually spent a smaller fraction of my practice time working on the required repertoire, and more time working on my technique and sound because I had to learn a lot of rep in a short amount of time, so it was more worth my time to work on the skills which were needed to play all of the pieces. I only ͟ ǡ was far away. I didn’t make a big deal out of the auditions because by the time I was there, it was too late to change anything

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SENIOR SCATTER

May 29, 2020

Senior Scatter

An in-depth look into the post-high school plans of the Class of 2020! Amy Ackerman Martin Ackermann Bebe Acuna Naya Adamyan Paul Adkins Hannah Ajibola Bader Al Saghrji Arturo Alipio Gabby Alonso Judith Altneu Gabriela Alvarez Niel Arpon Jose Baldizon Aguilar Seth Bangser Kasra Baradarankayyal Ava Barrios Dei Jemmiel Bautista Aaron Bazawada Ali Becker Charley Becker Madilyn Bedard Lucille Bengston Molly Benson Colleen Besche Bealu Bezabeh Gillian Birdsong Mia Blackman Camille Boiteux Connor Boland Valentino Bondanza Giulia Bottomley Alexander Bove Leah Bregman Kathleen Browning Sydney Bryon Kate Burk Josie Caggiano Frinz Calusa Zachary Cannon Martine Cardichon Isabelle Carlisle Oscar Casasola Jimenez Eilis Cawley Junhee Chang Neda Changuit Cooper Cibel Angelina Ciccarello Sophie Clarke Michael Clempson Jacob Coơey Brady CoƤÓo Will Cohen Alex Coleman Jr James Collishaw Patrick Connelly Aidyn Connor Justin Coz Lizama Emily Crites Rachel Crone Lucas Cufre Jack Danco Morgan Danco

Univ. of Md., College Park Carnegie Mellon University Ohio University Univ. of Minnesota, Twin Cities Univ. of Md., College Park Georgetown University Univ. of Md., College Park Univ. of Md., College Park Baylor University Univ. of Md., College Park St. Mary’s College of Maryland University of the Arts London Aix-Marseille University Tulane University Univ. of Md., College Park Univ. of Md., College Park Montgomery College Univ. of Md., Baltimore County San Diego State University San Diego State University University of Dayton University College London Villanova University Mercer University Towson University Univ. of Md., College Park New York University University of Oregon Univ. of California, Los Angeles University of Buenos Aires Univ. of Md., College Park Gettysburg College Univ. of Md., College Park Oberlin College West Virginia University Coastal Carolina University University of Georgia University of Baguio Towson University Butler University Northwestern University Univ. of Md., College Park Rochester Inst. of Technology Montgomery College University of Oregon Lynn University Duquesne University University of Arizona Univ. of Md., College Park Carnegie Mellon University Salisbury University University of Michigan West Virginia University Ithaca College Colby College University of Michigan Mount St. Mary’s University Cornell University Univ. of Md., College Park Northeastern University Virginia Tech Virginia Tech

Holly Darby Rebecca Davids Zoe Davidson Ricardo De Abreu Alvarez Sam DeBrandt Jack DeCraene MacKenzie DeGraeve Defne Demirer Cara Demitz Michael Deniel Sophie DiFrank Khadydiatou Diouf Faith Donegan Chris Dorrer Mia Dorrien Morgan Elman Shannon Engel Dennis Erickson Hannah Fairweather Maram Faragallah Chloe Farago Sebastian Favela Alec Federman Eleanor Flynn Josh Forburger Mikel Fornwald Adrian Franco Christian Franke Devoncye Freelon Elyana Furman Joey Galicia Jackson Garcia Kelly Gentilo Yeabsira Getachew Sydney Gibbons Jack Gillespie Lucas Gillespie Natan Glazer Jake Goldberg Jenna Goldberg Amber Golden Alexa Goldstein Anna Goncalves Emely Gonzalez Atticus Goodenow Will Goudie Julia Grafstein Kayla Grande Malina Grande Nathaniel Gray Ethan Greeley Mike Greene Haley Greenspan Charlotte Gruber Lucas Guberman Faith Guiơre Garima Gupta Brooke Haines Julia Hananel Lindsey Hancock Kadidiatou Hann Mikail Haroon

University of Texas at Austin James Madison University University of Vermont St. Mary’s College of Maryland Gettysburg College Queens Univ. of Charlotte Montgomery College Montgomery College Univ. of California, Los Angeles Mount St. Mary’s University University of Louisville Howard University University of Arizona Lehigh University University of Georgia Radford University Fordham University Univ. of Md., College Park Univ. of Md., College Park Howard University University of Pittsburgh Hamilton College Virginia Tech Brandeis University Virginia Tech Morgan State University Montgomery College Pennsylvania State University Howard University Univ. of Md., College Park Univ. of Colorado Boulder Salisbury University Univ. of Maine at Farmington Liberty University University of Dayton Tulane University Hobart and William Smith Colls. George Washington University West Virginia University Wake Forest University Virginia Tech Northwestern University University of Brasília University of Pittsburgh Savannah Coll. of Art and Design Albion College Univ. of Md., College Park George Washington University Univ. of Md., College Park Towson University University of Richmond Ƥ Ǥ Johnson & Wales University Pace University Univ. of Md., College Park Montgomery College Univ. of Md., College Park Univ. of Colorado Boulder Univ. of Md., College Park Univ. of Md., College Park Univ. of Md., College Park Wesleyan University

Graham Emily David Eric Aidan Ally Luke Katherine Alanna Caleb Lila Cole Lan Donya Chieh Julia Patrick Jaidan Melissa Matthew Kevin Stephen Lucy Katherine Kayla iơany Abdou Taylor Caroline Itai Rida Raymond James Maxim Avery Rose Yerim Lea Kira Nikita Zachary Laura Matthew Mallory MarieǦElise Anna Maxwell Skye Matthew Grace Jack Andrew Daria Ciara Jose Camille Paola Yosef Abbey Jac ueline Jacob Tomas Olivia Jenny Brian Alex Brady Eric Zachary Colin

Harper Harvey Heơernan Hembrough Hihn Hilligoss Hinds Hobgood Hoơman Hoơman HoơmanǦByer Holland Hooton Hosseini Hsu Hughes Ibanez Innis Irie Irons Jimenez uispe Jin Johnson Judge Kahrl Kamberi Kane Kelly Kennon Keren Khan Kim Kinsella Kitsul Klotz Knapp Kone Kosanovic Krucoơ Krupin LaChapelle Lachin Laclef Laing Latorre Lebrun Levy Levy Lewton Li Linde Liu London Longsworth Lopez Lukash Maldonado Malka Malone Maloney Marks Martini McBerry McIntyre McKaig Mercer Blackman Meyers Meyers Meyers Middelthon

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May 29, 2020

College of Wooster University of Pittsburgh Pennsylvania State University University of Chicago Drexel University Pennsylvania State University Northeastern University Massachusetts Inst. of Tech. Boston University Univ. of Md., College Park Elon University Catholic Univ. of America American University Univ. of Md., College Park Univ. of Ill. at Urbana–Champaign College of Charleston Montgomery College Northeastern University Montgomery College University of Rochester Towson University Virginia Tech St. Vincent College New York University Pepperdine University Univ. of Md., College Park Montgomery College University of Wisconsin University of Georgia Montgomery College Univ. of Md., College Park Univ. of Md., College Park Indiana University Univ. of Md., College Park George Mason University University of Michigan Swarthmore College Towson University Elon University 42 Silicon Valley University of Virginia New York University Connecticut College Virginia Commonwealth Univ. McGill University Rhodes College American University Ohio State University Purdue University Univ. of Md., College Park Wake Forest University Univ. of Md., College Park University of Virginia Elon University Montgomery College Auburn University IE University Yale University Michigan State University Univ. of Md., College Park Univ. of Md., College Park American University Emory University University of Pittsburgh Miami University Work James Madison University Univ. of Md., College Park Univ. of Md., College Park Montgomery College

Ella Jackson Emmi Tori Aram Timothy Logan Luke Jac ueline Austin uinn Mauricio Julien Jared Robert Lily Alex Teddy Chinhnam Patrick Elena Sarah Megan Nnayelu Izzy Ethan Spiro Tommy William William Morgan Phillip Zoe Claudia Elisa Simone Haris Nadine Owen Sarah Trent Anton Eli Joseph Bella Ellie Kemal Nick Adi Halley Meghan Kiley Erin Brian Gabe Lucas Gretchen Gwen Brielle Alex Diego Antonio Alexandra Jonathan Starr Michael Stacy Anna Kristian Maya

SENIOR SCATTER

Mil Miller Mills Milton Mnatsakanyan Moore Moreland Morris Moss Mucchetti Mulligan Munoz Ortiz Musel Needham Neisser Neuvelt Nevo New Nguyen Nkeumbang Kenvo Norment OǯDonnell OǯReilly Oranuba Orezzoli Oyeniyi Papasava Parker Perez Perry Petersen Pham Philips Pierpaoli Pierpaoli Pierpaoli Pikis Poole Porter Potts Powell Preslopsky Priesman Puglisi uattrucci uinn Rahman Rakis Rand Raynes Rinehart Ring Ripley Rivas Riveiro Rivero Roa Rodriguez Roe Rojas Rojas Romero Rothman Rotman Ruben Rubin Rudolph Runci Ruschell Sachs

Univ. of Md., College Park Virginia Military Institute Massachusetts Inst. of Tech. York College of Pennsylvania American University University of Wisconsin Univ. of Md., College Park Marymount University Harvard Universiy Ohio State University Northeastern University West Virginia University Niagara University James Madison University Columbia University Esthetician School Univ. of Md., College Park Tulane University Univ. of Md., College Park Univ. of Md., College Park University of South Carolina Univ. of Md., College Park University of South Carolina Howard University Univ. of Md., College Park Univ. of Md., College Park Univ. of Md., College Park Emory University Elon University Drexel University College of Charleston Coastal Carolina University Tulane University Bocconi University Univ. of Md., College Park Univ. of Md., College Park Georgetown University Univ. of Colorado Boulder Centre College Butler University Calif. State Univ., Northridge Univ. of Md., College Park Purdue University Georgetown University University of Pittsburgh Univ. of Md., College Park Univ. of Md., Baltimore County Xavier University Israeli Defense Forces Elon University James Madison University Villanova University Butler University Univ. of Md., College Park Northeastern University Univ. of Md., College Park Univ. of Southern Mississippi Univ. of Md., College Park St. Olaf College Harvard University University of Michigan Univ. of Md., College Park Univ. of Md., College Park Univ. of Md., College Park University of Miami University of Louisville University of Michigan Villanova University United States Army Colby College

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SENIOR SCATTER

Dylan Lily Francesco Cate Sophia Kira Andrew Ethan Gia Jordan Chase Ava Yasmina Farmin Sonika Matthew Jesse Santiago Marina Isaac Colin Declan Adelle Mason Corrinne Eleanor Olivia Nic James Andre

Northeastern University College of William & Mary Univ. of California, Irvine University of Alabama University of Michigan Calif. Polytechnic State Univ. Indiana University Arizona State University Marymount University Montgomery College Chapman University James Madison University Temple University Montgomery College University of Delaware Univ. of Md., College Park Elon University Washington Univ. in St. Louis Vassar College McGill University Pennsylvania State University Pennsylvania State University Univ. of Md., Baltimore County Ohio State University Loyola University Maryland Pennsylvania State University University of Delaware Univ. of Md., College Park Emerson College Union College

Sacks Salvatore Sani Santy Sarnowski SchiĆĄ Schorr Schwager Scilaris Scott-Geason Seabreeze Seif Serville Shahabuddin Sharma Shea Siegel Silva Smith-Hanke Snow Spanswick Stablow Stacho Stern Stuckey Tartt Tetrault Thomas Thomson Thornton

May 29, 2020

Ben Angela Estivenson David Andrea Nick Alessandro Rachel Anna Caroline Noah Gina Kai Katherine Klaudia Nicole Liana Nicholas Theron Thomas Sophia Eric Dror Jaden Michaela Karina Izzy Alexis Melody Alejandro

Tilkin Toko-Sime Torres Tuszynski Umana Usanov Vallefuoco Vasilopoulos Voit Wagar Walker Walter Walter Weaver Weidlich Weisman Wilkinson Williams Wolcott Wolfson Wu Yang Yaniv Yates Yee Yung Zavareei Zayas Zeng Zuniga Placencia

University of Michigan Montgomery College University of Kansas Syracuse University Anne Arundel Comm. College New York University Univ. of Md., College Park McGill University University of Richmond Univ. of Md., College Park Seton Hall University Miami University Univ. of Md., College Park McGill University Pennsylvania State University University of Arizona Towson University University of Western Ontario Univ. of Md., College Park Univ. of Md., College Park University of Texas at Dallas Univ. of Md., College Park Eastman School of Music Hood College Univ. of Md., College Park Univ. of California, Los Angeles Virginia Commonwealth Univ. Salisbury University Univ. of Md., College Park Loyola University Maryland

SCATTER BY THE NUMBERS Most Attended Schools

101 vs. 220 93

In State

Out of State

324

student responses

% of students going to a four year college

137

schools represented

4 7

163

32 8 39 17

CONFESSIONS

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The Class of

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Freshman Diaries

“If the days won’t allow us to see each other, memories will."

Freshmen Orientation, 2016 Our class of 2020 rocked WJ as the biggest class ever to grace the halls. “It was really intimidating seeing so many teachers and older students in the auditorium, but then Abe Kim (our SGA president that year) was so welcoming and made me feel like I was a part of the school,” senior Holly Darby said.

Glo, 2017

Homecoming, 2016

"I was really nervous about freshman year homecoming because it was my first really big event of high school and I didn’t know what to expect. I ended up having a lot of fun at the dance but it was still pretty overwhelming because there were so many people there,” senior Zoe Phillips said.

First Day of School, 2016

Photo Courtesy of Corrinne Stuckey and Rebecca Davids

With the lights shining through the gym, Glo reminds people how to party. “As a freshman, going to Glo was amazing. It was just an amazing night where I got to dance and have fun with my friends that was different than any other school event,” senior Miles Carr said.

Monday, August 29, 2016, about 500 students walked the hallways of WJ, ready to start their high school journey. Some were nervous, others were eager to start their new beginning. Freshmen swarmed around the halls to find their homerooms. Once in their homerooms, they would get stacks of papers and a new planner with the WJ logo on it. Teachers and staff stood in the hallway guiding freshmen to their designated classes.

Winter Ball, 2017 “The winter ball had good music: a jazz band along with spotify music, good food: cookies and hot cocoa, and beautiful decorations: paper snowflakes and a fireplace backdrop. I had such a great time and was disappointed when it was cancelled the next year,” senior Corrinne Stuckey said.

Junior legacies

During sophomore year, the class of 2020 lost to freshmen in the homecoming hallway contest. Under the theme of fantasy, the class had Alice in Wonderland. Given, the class of 2021 had a beautiful hallway full of fantastical sections, It is still uncalled for that a sophomore class loses to the freshmen class. “I felt disappointed because we really worked hard,” senior Kayla Kazemzadeh said.

The Original Sophomores

Photo courtesy of Meghan Rinehart and Zoe Philips

Gun Walkout, March 2018 As a result of the consistent school shootings, WJ students joined the county-wide school walkout to the capitol in order to demand gun control from the government.

Homecoming Hallway, 2017

Photo Courtesy of WJ students in the Capitol

Junior Girls, 2019

Gun Walkout, March 2019 In the following year, WJ students walked to the capitol again.

First Female SGA President Photo courtesy of WJ students in the capitol

Football Games, Fall 2019

2020

Photo courtesy of the class of 2020 girls during Junior Year

Following the seniors' departure, Class of 2020 girls wore their “Get Ready” on the front and “We’re about 2 0wn this house” on the back t-shirts.

Leadership Trip to Escape Room Photo Courtesy of the 2019 SGA Officers, Gwen Rodriguez (left), Jacqueline Moss (second left), Austin Mucchetti (second right) & Theodore New (right).

Photo Courtesy of the senior class in a football game

In senior year, the football team was exceptional and the class of 2020 made sure their presence and spirit was known. "Being the ones in that iconic student section cheering on our football team that broke the school record for winning a game in the playoffs was surreal,” senior Brian Rivas said.

Pep Rally, 2019

"I ran for SGA President in hope to make a change to the school. There hadn’t been a female president in the 44-year history of WJ. By winning, I hoped to encourage other females to run for this position. My time in office was definitely by far the best moments I’ve had at the school," Jacqueline Moss, SGA President, said.

Homecoming Movie

“The Homecoming movie was so much fun to make! I hope everyone else enjoyed it," Colleen Besche, Senior Class President, said. The 2019

Homecoming movie features the SGA officers, the senior class officers and multiple sports teams. The movie explores the importance of uniting all grades for Homecoming. “What makes the school so special, is that we can make a lot of good out of a bad situation,” Jacqueline Moss said in the movie.

Photo Courtesy of 2019-2020 Leadership Classs

The leadership class took a field trip to an escape room to work on team building. They got to work in small groups and attempted to escape.

Once upon a time Once upon a time

....in Senior Year

Painting the Shed, August 2019

Photo Courtesy of the Shed painted by the class of 2020

Photo Courtesy of the 2020 SGA Fall Pep Rally

AP Exams

Online School

Last day of school, March 13th 2020 Photo Courtesy of senior class

Friday March, 13th was the last time seniors ever got to be in the school building. Nobody expected this to happen and as a result seniors never got to say their goodbyes or experience the many senior events that would have come.

Graduation, Class of 2020

Due to the global pandemic, school became online learning. Students had to go to google classroom everyday, to not miss any due dates or deadlines. Teachers began to have zoom classes and would always ask how the students were doing. Participation was scarce in the first few weeks, but later students became more involved in classes. Students would use the chatting system and would start turning their mics and cameras on.

AP Exams were taken online for the first time ever due to the pandemic and school closures. It was a new experience for a lot of people. “I felt that online exams are easier than I expected. We are allowed to use other resources like our notes and quizlet, which makes me like it even more. Although the setting is inconvenient and unconventional, I actually enjoy online AP exams,” senior Partick Ibanez said.

We will have a virtual graduation in June. We will receive our certificates either electronically or by mail. This wasn't what we hoped for. This is not the ending we imagined, but the amount of passion, persistence and determination in this class could change the world. We might not walk the hallways of WJ again or have Prom or a typical graduation, but we will remember each other by the strength we held during unprecedented times.

By Rebecca Davids, Maram Faragallah, Marie-Elise Lattorre & DeVoncye Freelon,