SAN DIEGO–Tragedy met inspiration for Scripps Ranch High School and San Diego Unified School District on Wednesday, with the completion of the school’s 15,000-square-foot classroom hall, athletic field renovations, and a new community garden named after a senior who died in a DUI crash more than twenty years ago.
Construction started on the California Distinguished School’s new classroom building and athletic fields in winter 2016. Now complete, the two-story learning space at the northwest corner of the campus holds 12 classrooms, while overlooking the beautiful Scripps Ranch mountain-scape.
Thanks to Propositions S & Z, the learning spaces each have state-of-the-art technology, including an interactive whiteboard, wireless voice amplification systems, new laptops computers for teachers and students.The new building features new student and staff restrooms.
“These upgrades within this state-of-the-art facility will only further the success of students here at SRHS and beyond,” SDUSD Board President Sharon Whitehurst-Payne said.
Superintendent Cindy Marten thanked the project team and local voters for all they have done to invest in upgrading educational facilities.
“Investing in education lays the foundation for our city’s future,” Superintendent Marten said. “Investments like this will continue to make San Diego a place for families to excel.”
Garden Club President Natalie de los Santos said she and other members approached Principal DeWitt with the notion of using the site outside the new classroom building for the new garden.
“We wanted to make this a home for Noelle’s plaque,” de los Santos said. “Many still remember Noelle Marra and her story.”
Just outside of the classroom hall sits a student-planted community garden named “Noelle’s Garden.” It is named after Noelle Marra, a SRHS senior who died after a DUI driver struck her in 1995.
To keep her memory alive, SRHS students and the community decided to place a plaque within the community garden.
“We will always remember Noelle’s leadership, spirit, smiles, and craziness,” the plaque reads. “The class of 1995 will always hold her close to our hearts… please don’t drink and drive.”
On the Northeast side of the campus, softball players have a new field to call home. Funded through Propositions S & Z, construction crews added new dugouts, bullpens, batting cages, concession stands, equipment storage, and an announcer’s booth.
Softball players are not the only ones benefiting from athletic improvements at SRHS: tennis players now have newly renovated tennis courts. Crews added new tennis surfacing, striping, and nets, as well as a new drinking fountain.
The football stadium underwent its own renovation: there are now ADA accessible bleachers on both the home and the visitor’s side of the stadium, as well as an ADA compliant press box. Those visiting the football games now have their own restroom and concession stand. New gates were also installed at the entrance, as well as a new ticket booth.
