Skip to Main Content
The School Newspaper of Winston Churchill High School.

The Observer

The School Newspaper of Winston Churchill High School.

The Observer

The School Newspaper of Winston Churchill High School.

The Observer

Senior captain of the WCHS girls' varsity softball team Leah Sonnabend is up to bat, waiting for the right pitch to swing.

Athlete of the month: Leah Sonnabend

By Mallory Weiner, Sports Editor June 10, 2026

From catcher to outfielder to second baseman, WCHS senior Leah Sonnabend can do it all. Sonnabend is a highly valuable player on the WCHS Girls Varsity Softball Team and a utility player, indicating that...

Senior captain of the WCHS girls' varsity basketball team, Mena Hemphill, takes a layup shot in their game against Severna Park High School.

Athlete of the month: Mena Hemphill

By Sydney Stern, Copy Editor & Social Media Manager March 11, 2026

Freshman year, she followed. Sophomore year, she competed. Junior year, she contributed. And in her senior year, she leads. Mena Hemphill, senior captain of the WCHS girls varsity basketball team, went...

Bakari Taylor clears the High Jump bar at a March 2025 multi-school meet held at Seneca Valley High School.

Athlete of the month: Bakari Taylor

By Ryan Shenker, Sports Editor February 8, 2026

The bar rests on its uprights as the runway clears. A loud silence takes place over the arena as WCHS senior Bakari Taylor begins his approach, getting faster stride by stride before launching himself...

At Walter Johnson High School on Friday, Sep. 19, under the stadium lights, WCHS varsity football senior Noah Zhang runs into the endzone for a touchdown.

Athlete of the month: Noah Zhang

By Sydney Stern and Ryan Shenker November 7, 2025

There are a few players who, when they step on the field, change the entire rhythm of the game. From inspiring his teammates, elevating the level of play and reading the defense spotlessly, WCHS senior...

WCHS Senior Laila Foose kicks the soccer ball in her WCHS Varsity Girls Soccer game. She has 2 goals and an assist so far this season.

Athlete of the month: Laila Foose

By Ella Carnathan, Online Content Editor & Social Media Manager October 8, 2025

From bright red cleats to a blue headband, from shoving opponents to making the perfect pass, you cannot miss number eight controlling the field. Dominating the pitch, Laila Foose, senior captain of WCHS...

WCHS twin seniors Maggie and Joey King are team captains of girls softball and boys baseball, respectively. Interested in sports from a young age, the Kings are excited to continue athletics in college and beyond.

Athletes of the month: Joey and Maggie King

By Maximus Wang, Editor-in-Chief May 19, 2025

The ball barrels at blinding speed towards home plate. The athlete, ready and watching, swings at just the right moment. With a familiar ding, the ball flies off in the other direction, past the defense...

WCHS senior and athlete Drew Menick is a double sport athlete at WCHS, playing forward for the boys varsity basketball team during the winter and wide receiver for the boys varsity football team during the fall.

Athlete of the Month: Drew Menick

By Isabella Ngwana, Online Managing Editor February 4, 2025

Basketball is not just a game about scoring the ball. It’s about communicating with your teammates and making wise decisions on and off the court. Every second of an intense game of basketball matters,...

WCHS senior and dive team captain, Annika Shauf demonstrates a back dive at a dive team practice. Shauf spent her first to high school years on the swim team and transitioned to dive during her junior year.

Athlete of the Month: Annika Shauf

By Claire Moylan, Copy Editor January 2, 2025

Swim and dive is one of the most complex, difficult sports. The endurance required for swimming is like no other and the strength and muscle control for diving takes immense practice and dedication. Having...

WCHS senior Nate Swanson crosses the finish line to become the first boy to win back-to-back cross country county championships for Churchill.

Athlete of the Month: Nate Swanson

By Ryan Shenker, Assistant Sports Editor November 27, 2024

Crossing the finish line of his high school cross-country career, WCHS senior Nate Swanson has made himself known as one of the greatest WCHS Cross Country, Indoor Track, and Track and Field athletes ever....

Kareena Rathnam takes the court before her varsity volleyball game. As a captain, Rathnam hopes to lead her team to a successful season.

Athlete of the Month: Kareena Rathnam

By Isabella Ngwana, Online Managing Editor October 28, 2024

The heat of the moment on the court. The intense back and forth with the ball between the two teams. Libero players diving and scraping their knees to save the ball from hitting the ground, leaving the...

WCHS senior and boys volleyball player Alexandre Tchokokam blocks the ball from being hit over the net during an intense game of volleyball.

Athlete of the month: Alexandre Tchokokam

By Isabella Ngwana, Online Managing Editor June 6, 2024

While boys volleyball is a sport that piques the interests of a few, it always brings in a very diverse group of players. Those drawn to it know the thrill of being on the court and how it feels to spike...

Load More Stories
Activate Search
Athlete of the Month