Sydney Brammer goes to Point Loma Nazarene University and is graduating in May 2026. She’s already been published in the Times of San Diego, and plans on expanding her college newspaper’s digital presence by starting its first-ever newsletter and producing multimedia content. Currently, Sydney is interning at Hawaii News Now for the summer, developing her experience in broadcast journalism. “I am passionate about local journalism and the power it has on communities,” she said.

Lindsey Brintwood goes to San Diego State University and is graduating in May 2026. She is the social media editor for The Daily Aztec where she leads the digital video strategy for her newsroom. She’s also worked as a sports field reporter for KUSI/Fox 5’s Prep Pigskin Report. “Each Friday night, I return to the high school sideline – where I was once a cheerleader – but as a reporter with a mic and a video camera,” she said.

Carla Gutierrez graduated from Southwestern College in May 2025. She was the assistant campus editor in 2024 and the campus editor this year. She is continuing her education at San Francisco State University, majoring in Bilingual Spanish Journalism. “Being a journalist became a part of me. It filled me with a passion to fight for all voices to be heard and to share this message.”

Lesley Garcia attends San Diego State University and is set to graduate in May 2027. She’s been writing for her college newspaper for two years and has also practiced speaking on camera. “Ideally, I would like to explore different jobs through my career such as investigative journalism and sports journalism.”

Yanelli Robles attends Southwestern Community College and is graduating in Spring of 2026. She has worked as the assistant photo editor and photo editor. In the Fall of 2025, she will be the Editor-in-Chief of The Sun. “Being in the newsroom not only opened my eyes to what I was capable of, but also gave me a purpose that truly was meant for me.”

Alexa Lima graduated from Southwestern College in Spring of 2025. She has worked as the editor of the Arts section for the Southwestern Sun and was the Editor-in-Chief for three semesters. Lima is the recipient of the Bradley J. Fikes Scholarship, in memory of the esteemed San Diego Union-Tribune reporter, whose dedication to the craft continues to inspire. “Journalists are needed now more than ever. Our democracy is at risk, and we are the liaison between the government and the public,” she said.

Diego Higuera goes to Southwestern College and is graduating in 2026. He is ranked fourth nationally for College Reporter of the Year by 2024 Associated Collegiate Press. He continues to report for the Southwestern College Sun, and serves as editor of Comics Beat. He plans to attend USC Annenberg School for Communication and Journalism. He dreams of working for the Voice of San Diego.

When he began his journey, he says he didn’t have the words to explain why he chose journalism. “I couldn’t describe what it meant to build a life from the ground up as a homeless Latino … I couldn’t express the anger I felt at the injustice, or the burning need to speak up … for my community for those silenced or treated unfairly. But I can now. I’m a multinational, award-winning journalist who has earned over 30 awards for journalistic excellence.” Higuera is the recipient of the Agnes Diggs Memorial Scholarship, celebrating the profound impact of the late North County Times columnist.