RYAN NEWA ’12| Online Sports Editor

In the fall of 2010, I began writing for the online publication. It being the first year of existence, many were skeptical of The Pulse’s ability to succeed up to the level of the award-winning print edition, The Tower.

Last year, being the first year of the publication, was a sort of an “experiment” year.

So why, with one of the top high school newspapers in the country, would I choose to devote most of my time to an unknown experiment like The Pulse?

Well, there are many reasons. I have always liked the fact that The Pulse allows writers a large amount of freedom. Throughout the past few years, I have been able to write about topics that are occasionally non-South related; sometimes pertaining to Michigan or Michigan State (I will be attending the latter next year).

Also, I have always thought my knowledge of sports would be a nice asset to the website. Having been an avid sports follower all my life, I have felt like my perspective could be really useful for an up-and-coming publication.

The way I see it, there is something to be said for building something. And certainly, I feel like we’ve built a nice foundation for the future of The Pulse. For as great as the print edition is, online publications are rapidly growing in the news world, and will likely continue to do so. I’ve always thought it would be special to build something from scratch; something that will hopefully be a fixture at South in the future.

The biggest reason I have stuck with The Pulse, though, is the people I get to work with. These past couple years, I have genuinely enjoyed going through the trials and tribulations that go with building something new because of the people I have experienced them with.

My advisers, especially, have been great. They have not only aided in the development of my writing, but they have taught me responsibility, something that I know will help me down the road.

My fellow editors and staff writers have also been a pleasure to work with. I have made a lot of friends from being on staff, and as a whole, it has been a great group of kids with which to establish an online news publication. All in all, it was the people and the relationships I have built that have made this a worthwhile experience for me.

In our just-completed second year, not only have we drastically increased the content published, but the quality and variety of writing has improved as well.  Looking back at this year in relation to last, it’s clear that significant strides have been made.

As for the future of the Pulse, expect it to continue to gradually improve year-by-year. In just its second year of existence, it has already come a long way.

But, there is no doubt in my mind that going forward, The Pulse will continue to grow and prosper. And even though I, along with several other important contributors will be gone next year, with the advisors and returning staff members, The Pulse will be left in good hands.

The foundation for something great has been laid.

And I’m glad to have been a part of it.