San Diego Unified School District

This year, Point Loma High School (PLHS) is celebrating their one hundredth anniversary through robust centennial celebrations the whole year. These events have been spearheaded by the PLHS Pointer Association (the PA), a 501c3 nonprofit organization consisting of parents/families, students, alumni, faculty and other community members serving Point Loma High School. Their goal is to raise funds to enhance education at Point Loma High School and to promote the activities of alumni of PLHS. The Centennial provided a number of fundraising opportunities, including limited edition Centennial logo wear, Centennial bricks placed on campus, Centennial sponsors and donors, as well as the  PLHS Centennial Gala in September which served as the primary fundraising event. Through these fundraisers, the PA raised over $50,000 to give back to the school. All of these funds are crucial to improve PLHS’s academics, athletics, and arts programs.

Events like these don’t just help the school programs financially, the school community is also profiting in engagement. As a high school senior, I know how difficult it is to get student involvement, but the Pointer Association created a recipe for school spirit with these celebrations. A pep rally at the end of the ‘24-‘25 school year started the Centennial buzz with current students indulging in 100 branded cupcakes and T-shirts. The excitement continued into the next school year with the Gala, which brought together over 1,000 Pointers to celebrate the school and recognize the beautiful community that’s been built at one of San Diego Unified’s oldest campuses. Scott Deschenes, President of the PA  boasted that the Gala “brought multi-generational Pointers together to celebrate the strong Pointer Spirit that exists in our community.” From the current cheer team and band, to multi-generation student speakers, to a former student over one hundred years old in attendance, the roots of the school connected to the growing branches in a night of fun.

All of these Centennial events were possible thanks to alums and parents in the Pointer Association, like co-chairs Pamela Rodrigues and Allison Leitz, their committee of volunteers, generous sponsors and donors. Allison explained to me that she hopes parents continue to get involved and stay involved in their local high school. She said, “Maintaining a strong school [is] foundational to a strong community.” The success of either is tied to the other. Major fundraising and celebratory events like these are how the Point Loma community can do their part to maintain their strong high school.

If you would like to support PLHS and get to be a part of the good times, please visit their website to learn more about how to donate and future fundraising opportunities, PLHS Centennial or email [email protected] to get involved, the team is always looking for volunteers! 

Click here to scroll through photos from the events taken by Point Loma High School yearbook students.

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