What started as an on-site journalism class at Pivot San Diego last spring quickly evolved into something far greater, driven by a small group of motivated students and their remarkable initiative. Taking ownership of their storytelling, these students launched and now produce the Pivot Pulse, a quarterly newspaper that highlights the news, voices, and vibrant life of Pivot San Diego.
“We launched the class last spring not knowing quite what to expect, and it exceeded every expectation,” said Educational Coordinator Bree Cassady, who serves as the group’s faculty advisor. “The students have completely run with it.”
The class now has a nine-student editorial staff spanning grades 7-12, building experience in reporting, interviewing, and storytelling. Editor-in-Chief Lily Longoria, an 11th grader, leads the publication, having previously participated in SEMS TV at San Elijo Middle School.
The team recently published its Winter 2025 edition and are hard at work on the Spring 2026 issue for upcoming release.
“Right now, our paper is a print edition, but there is talk about taking the newspaper digital, which would be incredible,” explained Lily. “We hope to reach more parents and students from our other sites in the future, expand our audience, and possibly include video and audio as well.”
Past editions have covered field trips to SeaWorld and the California Surf Museum, along with senior college acceptances and early graduations, highlighting the experiences and achievements that shape the school year.
Beyond publishing stories, the class has built a strong sense of community among its members.
“Instead of quietly working on assignments, we get to talk and discuss current events at the school,” said Lily. “We are a very social group. We almost named our newspaper ‘The Social Butterfly’ to capture the energy in this class.”
The Pivot Pulse is a wonderful example of student voice and leadership in action at Pivot San Diego. As the publication continues to grow, it stands as a testament to what students can accomplish when given the space to lead. Keep an eye out for the Spring 2026 edition coming soon!