Friday, October 9, 1998 — In what eventually became the most anticipated event in Verdugo's sixty-one year history, Kersey Field was finally bathed in light for the first-ever night football game.

Students, past and present, packed the stands for the Stadium Lighting Ceremony which was marked by speeches and dignitaries presenting plaques, by a rousing fireworks show and t-shirts commemorating the occasion, and by what everyone had been waiting decades for — a good old-fashioned game of football under the lights.

In a poignant moment, prinicpal Gary Turner was joined by former student body president Tami Pinkston (Class of 1997), VHHS Booster Club president Jim Nelson (Class of 1961), Harry and Susie MacGregor (Classes of 1955 and 1957, respectively), and Harvey Sherman (Class of 1956), all of whom had worked tirelessly over the years to make the lights a reality. Countless alumni representing each of the school's decades were there to cheer them on.

During the half-time ceremonies, School Board Member Julie Korenstein presented the school with a proclamation commemorating the event as did Pat Davenport, Field Deputy for Councilman Joel Wachs.

After the presentations and speeches, the assembled crowd was treated to a magnificent fireworks display before the football game resumed for the second half.

Known efforts to secure lights for the football field stretch back well into the 1950's and fundraising efforts were undertaken on several occasions over the decades. However, more urgent matters always seemed to take precedence.

Unwilling to let the project languish any longer, the field lights were eventually championed by Nelson and Turner, who were convinced that it was important to be able to allow working parents see their children play sports rather than being excluded due to their schedules. They also felt that it was equally important for Sunland-Tujunga to have a lighted outdoor facility for community events and activities. The school district and community agreed.

The cost of the lights was divided between funds raised by the school and by a matching grant of district facility improvement funds.

At the lighting ceremony, one alumnus from the 1940's was overheard to exclaim, "I never thought I'd live to see the day!" Instead, she lived to see her first night game!