Walter Johnson High School
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| Established | 1956 |
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| Type | Public Secondary |
| Principal | Dr. Christopher S. Garran |
| Grades | 9–12 |
| Location | Bethesda, Maryland, USA |
| District | Montgomery County Public Schools |
| Campus | Suburban |
| Colors | Green and White |
| Mascot | Wildcat |
| Newspaper | The Pitch |
| Website | http://walterjohnson.com |
Walter Johnson High School, (WJHS) is located at 6400 Rock Spring Drive in Bethesda, an unincorporated region of Montgomery County, Maryland.
As of 2006, the school principal is Dr. Christopher Garran and the assistant principals are Ms. Janan Slough, Ms. Amye Lang, Mr. Chris Merrill, and Ms. Nicole Morgan.
WJHS serves areas in Bethesda, North Bethesda and Rockville as well as the towns of Garrett Park and Kensington.
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[edit] History
Walter Johnson High School was founded in 1956 as part of the Montgomery County Public School system (MCPS). The school is named in honor of the late Washington Senators' baseball pitcher, Walter Johnson, who resided in a Bethesda house which still stands just a few miles away from the school on Old Georgetown Road. After retiring from baseball, Walter Johnson became a county commissioner for Montgomery County.
During the late 1950s and early 1960s, when the outer suburbs of Washington were within five minutes' drive of the Beltway, Walter Johnson was viewed as a "country" or "outer-suburban" school. The school was surrounded by farms and livestock, notably cow herds. Yearbooks indicate that, in those days, Walter Johnson's rival high school was Richard Montgomery High School in Rockville, Maryland. Apparently, Richard Montgomery was responsible for "Mighty Moo" character, who is discussed under "Mascots" below.
Enrollment increased from just a few hundred students in 1956 to 2,000 students by 2005, with much of this growth occurring during the late 1960s and early 1970s. During tremendous growth of the D.C. metropolitan area, particularly during the Vietnam Era of the late 1960s and early 1970s, the school's environment changed from countryside to that of a major metropolitan suburb.
During 1972-73 academic year, "WJ" experimented with a 90-minute mid-day "activity period" in which no formal classes were held and students were encouraged to occupy themselves voluntarily with extracurricular activities, which could include simply socializing or reading a book, as well as organized extracurricular activities. This unstructured approach to education was intended to encourage creativity and individuality. The activity period was cut back to two days a week in subsequent years. During this time period, writer Rudy Maxa profiled the social structure of the school in a Washington Post article in which the school was reported to be divided into three major cliques, "jocks," "freaks," and "brains," each with its own distinct subculture within the student body.
In later years, WJHS came to view itself as the second high school in Bethesda and a rival to Bethesda-Chevy Chase High School, so that a fierce cross-town rivalry emerged. The "Battle of Bethesda," as it came to be known, became the hot point of sporting events between the two schools.
Despite numerous renovations, the original building still stands. Additional wings have been added to the school on either end and classrooms have been modernized. A new student common area and cafeteria were added to the school in 2003. "The Clock," well-known to students, is still in working order and resides in the front hallway above the two golden plaques of the Wildcat and Spartan.
[edit] Modernization
Starting in fall of 2007 WJHS lost 1/3 of the school and gained 46 portables (nicknamed "portable city"). WJHS is on route for modernization in 2012, which will include a 'Student Union', free WIFI throughout the entire school, and a public space for all students. The space will be completed in the second phase of the process. Along with a new wing which will house new ESOL, English, and Science rooms, the gym will be expanded, and the locker room will finally link with the bottom English "G-wing".
[edit] Traditions
The school serves ice cream and cake on the birthday (November 6) of man who inspired the name for the school, Walter Johnson.
[edit] Mascots
When it first opened in 1956, its original mascot was the Spartan. In 1987, neighboring Charles W. Woodward High School merged into WJHS. The students were allowed to vote on the new merged school colors and mascot. The requirement that one school would keep their colors while the other school would keep their mascot. Woodward's "Wild Thing the Wildcat" and WJHS school colors -- green and white, won out.
The unofficial mascot is "Mighty Moo" of the school, a large brown cow. Early in Walter Johnson's history cows used to roam onto the football fields at various times. As seen in Walter Johnson yearbooks from the 1960s, the Mighty Moo character originated as a prank played by rivals from Richard Montgomery in Rockville, who painted a cartoon cow on the brick chimney at the back of the school, overlooking the football field, large enough to be clearly visible from cars passing by on Democracy Boulevard. Making lemons into lemonade, Walter Johnson adopted the cow as its unofficial mascot under the name Mighty Moo. Later yearbooks show that, even as the area became urbanized, the cows remained nearby and continued to graze across Rock Spring Drive from the school, pasturing in the shadows of high-rise office buildings through the late 1970s. Even though the cows are now gone, Mighty Moo remains.
[edit] Fight song
(To the tune of Across the Field, the Ohio State University fight song)
Walter Johnson, now's the time to lead us to our fame! Alma Mater, sing our praises and we'll take this game. RAH! RAH! RAH! Hit 'em hard and hit 'em again. Show 'em now that we're gonna' win. Spartans you've shown your might, We'll cheer for the green and white.
Words by Mrs. Jane Grube - PE teacher 1956-1964
Following the merger with Woodward High School the wording was changed to:
Walter Johnson, now's the time to lead us to our fame! Alma Mater, sing our praises and we'll take this game. RAH! RAH! RAH! Hit 'em hard and hit 'em again. Show 'em now that we're gonna' win. Wildcats you've shown your might, So we'll cheer for the green and white.
[edit] Chimney Painting
For decades, the senior class would climb up on the roof of the school and paint their names on the large brick chimney. At the start of each school year, the names would be painted over with the new senior class. This practice was even school-sponsored until the Fall of 2002 when the administration determined it was too dangerous for students to be up on the roof of the school. Instead of painting their names on the chimney, the senior class of 2003 was instructed to paint their names on the athletic shed. Although many seniors were upset at the sudden change and continued the tradition of painting their names on the chimney against the new school policy, shed painting has become the new tradition for WJ seniors.
[edit] Hazing
Like many schools in America, Walter Johnson had its share of hazing. In earlier times, if a sophomore were to step on the brass Spartan plaque in the main hallway, upperclassmen would make the sophomore scrub the plaque with a toothbrush. Sophomore students were the newest students in the school at that time as ninth grade (freshmen) were still taught in junior high school. This tradition continued and was transferred to freshmen when ninth grade students were moved into the high schools. The tradition included the second, Wildcat plaque, when that plaque was added after the merging with Woodward High School, and Walter Johnson adopted the Woodward High School mascot. Any upper classman could demand a sophomore (and later a freshman on Freshman Friday) sing the school fight song. The polishing of the plaques was stopped in the mid 1990s when school administrators put up a velvet rope around the plaques. Another hazing practice was that of "F-ing." "F-ing" involved an upperclassmen drawing the letter "F" on the face of incoming freshman. This was done with either a marker, pen, or paint. Most freshmen went along with the practice, but those who avoided getting the "F" were hunted down and given a larger "F" to mark their disobedience. The practice of "F-ing" was abruptly haulted in 2003 when principal Kevin Maxwell set precedent that suspended anyone caught "F-ing" a freshman. For 'Freshman Friday' (the first Friday of the school year, traditionally when freshman would be 'F-ed') of 2005, principal Chris Garran instituted a pseudo-hazing system, where upperclassmen would 'lei' a freshman student by putting a Hawaiian Lei around their necks. Many students decided to, instead, make stickers that had an F on them and stick them on unsuspecting freshmen. This is not encouraged, but because freshmen can just peel the stickers off, perpetrators are rarely caught.
[edit] Curriculum
APEX Walter Johnson’s signature program, Advanced Placement Experience, is in its ninth year. The APEX Scholars Program is designed to be a highly competitive four-year course of study. Prospective students apply during their eighth grade year, and are notified of their admission in the early spring prior to their ninth grade year. The application process includes making a list of activities, getting 4 teacher recommendations, and taking an essay test. The program offers a select group of students a comprehensive curriculum combining accelerated honors and intensive advanced placement level coursework. The program is run by T.G. Finkbinder, who is also an English teacher at the school.
[edit] Accomplishments
[edit] Academic
Walter Johnson High School was rated as one of "America's Best High Schools" by Newsweek magazine and was named the 45th best public high school in the nation for 2003.
In 2005 Walter Johnson High School was named 80th best public school by Newsweek magazine as one of "America's Best High Schools".
The College Board ranked Walter Johnson's AP World History class as the best in the world.[1]
Walter Johnson High School was rated as one of "America's Best High Schools" by Newsweek magazine and was ranked the 101 for best public high schools in the nation for 2006.
WJHS's "It's Academic" team won the Washington Area Championship and the mid-Atlantic Super Bowl in 2005 and in 2007. The team has also had several of its members elected to the All-State team, the most successful team at the Panasonic Academic Challenge.
Walter Johnson Debate and Forensics teams have also achieved notable results. The Walter Johnson Debate Team was county champion from 1993-2000, and 2003-2008. The Forensics Team has been county champion in every year from 2001 to 2008 and achieved either 2nd, 3rd or 4th Place in the County League from 1990 to 2000.
[edit] Athletic
All tournaments and finals are conducted by the Maryland Public Secondary Schools Athletic Association (MPSSAA).
[edit] Lacrosse
Montgomery Country Regional Champions 2004,2005
Montgomery County 4A/3A West Division Champions 2004
Maryland State Semifinalists 2004
Maryland State Semifinalists 2005
2004 Lacrosse Achievements:
Alex Chaudry, USLA All-American; MCPS 1st Team All-County; 4A/3A West Division 1st Team
Kaveh Saba, MCPS 2nd Team All-County; 4A/3A West Division 1st Team
Rod Bower, MCPS 2nd Team All-County; 4A/3A West Division 1st Team
Joe Brody, Chris Chapman & Josh Cohen, 4A/3A West Division 2nd Team
Jim Collin, USLA 2004 Coach of the Year
Brody Lynch, MCPS 3rd Team Special-Education All-County
2005 Lacrosse Achievements:
Joe Brody - All-American team selection
Joe Brody, Chris Chapman & Josh Cohen - 1st team all-division
Sam Werner, Trevor Malet & Rubin Grizian - 2nd team all-division
Joe Brody & Josh Cohen - 1st team all-county
Chris Chapman - 2nd team all-county
2006 Lacrosse Achievements:
Joe Brody, Chris Chapman - All-American team selection
Brett Linowes, Eric Weisman, & Trevor Malet - 2nd team all-division
Brett Linowes - 2nd team all-county
2008 Lacrosse Achievements:
JV team goes undefeated in its first ever JV program.
[edit] Soccer
Maryland Class A State Champions 1978
Maryland Class 3A State Champions 2000
Maryland Class 4A State Co-Champions 2006~ Lucas Szabo Honorable Mention All-State
Girls - Montgomery County Champions 1995, 1998 Girls - Regional Class 3A Champions 2002/03
Caroline Miller was the first Walter Johnson High School girl to be selected for the NSCAA Adidas All South Regional First Team and to the National Soccer Coaches Association of America All State First Team. She also holds the school record for most career goals scored.
[edit] Cross Country
Maryland Class 3A State Champions (Girls) 1996, 1997, 1998, 1999
[edit] Ice Hockey
'Maryland Scholastic Hockey League Public School State Champions 2004-2005'
For the 2006-2007 season, the team enjoyed its first-ever undefeated season, posting an 8-0-1 record. WJ entered the playoffs as first seed, but suffered a 5-2 loss to 4th seeded B-CC. However, WJ was given an at large berth in the state playoffs anyway. WJ posted its second consecutive loss in a 3-0 game against Glenelg, ending their playoff bid.
[edit] Field Hockey
Maryland Class 4A State Champions 1989
[edit] Track and Field
Maryland Class 3A State Champions (Girls) 2003
[edit] Tennis
Tiffany Lin & Maraya Pratt, MD State Girls' Doubles Champions - 2007
Maryland State Champions Mixed Doubles 2003, 2004, 2005
Maryland State Champions Girls Doubles 2003,2007
2006 Division & County Team Champions
Individual County Champions
Diana Pulupa - 1st Singles 1999
Lauren Wolman - 1st Singles
Tiffany Lin - 2nd Singles
Jimena Talavera & Alina Marciniak - 3rd Doubles
[edit] Notable alumni
Chris Montgomery - International Gay pride pioneer and leader
Georgia Engel - actress
Tim Kurkjian - ESPN baseball reporter and analyst
Matt McCoy - actor
Tommy Keene - singer/songwriter
Colleen Haskell - "Survivor" reality TV show contestant and actress
Nils Lofgren - rock musician
Carl Pope - Executive Director, Sierra Club
Cathy Hearn - Olympic Kayaker official website
[edit] References
[edit] External links
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