SHS's Synthetic Turf Athletic Field

SHS has a stellar reputation in the state of Oregon as our students, clubs and athletes continue to excel in all areas of academic, performing arts and athletics.  We are very proud of our students, our teachers and our school and appreciate our wonderfully supportive families who help make SHS a world class high school.

We are also proud of our world class athletic field.  Since its installation in 2008, some of the sporting events the SHS athletic field has hosted include:

• 2008, 2009 & 2010 OSAA State Championship Football Games
• 2008, 2009 & 2010 OSAA State Soccer Playoff Games
• 2010 High School Lacrosse Championship Tournament
• 2010 Northwest Region College Lacrosse Championships

The athletic field is home to our amazing Storm athletes in football, lacrosse, track & field, and soccer and brings together the entire student body to enhance the spirit of our school. Central Oregon, the community of Bend and specifically the students of Summit High School have all benefited from the installation of the first artificial field east of the Cascades. Unlike grass fields in the area, the turf field allows for year round use with nominal maintenance expense. Summit High sports teams, as well as, area club teams have had access to the multi-use field and nearly 800 students participate in physical education classes each year because of the opportunity for year-round use of the field.

The effort to install the first turf playing field was undertaken by the generosity of private donors (The Field and Athletic Surface Taskforce; a.k.a F.A.S.T) who secured a five-year loan to pay the $480,000 price tag with The Education Foundation for Bend-La Pine Schools serving as the fiscal agent for donations. Unfortunately, due to the struggling economy, a number of donors have been unable to continue the financial support on their five-year pledge. This has created a shortfall in funds to pay back the loan. The projected shortfall totals about $164,000, including the monthly interest payments on the note.

A sub-committee has recently been formed by the Summit Storm Boosters to help with the efforts to raise awareness of, and secure the funds to pay off the loan for the spectacular field that our students are benefiting from on a daily basis. This endeavor is supported by the SHS coaching staff and administration. Summit High's parent-body has a "can and will do" reputation as evidenced by:

• The Summit Initiative to Reduce Class Sizes (S.I.R.C.S) -The only effort in the Bend-La Pine Schools to raise funds for the hiring of teachers, which has also benefited Mt. View and Bend Senior High.
• Funds raised for technology, Family Access Network and also to assist with the field debt at the successful "Chips for Teens" event held this past January.

We are asking for your help in both raising awareness of, and developing ways to pay off the loan for the turf at Summit. As the movie "Field of Dreams" inspired the vision of "if we build it they will come", so too a vision exists at Summit -- it is built, they are coming, and we at Summit High School (students, parents, coaches & teachers) are proud.

If you are interested in participating in this effort or making a donation, your dedication is greatly appreciated.

Contact Lynnanne Hayes or Lisa Zimmerman if you have any questions.

From all of as at SHS and the Summit Storm Boosters, thank you in advance!