The Field of Dreams Opens in La Jolla

The Gillispie School’s highly anticipated “Field of Dreams” on Fay Avenue is complete, and faculty, staff and Gillispie families celebrated the new addition to the School’s campus with a "Field Day" Dedication Ceremony on Friday, Sept. 6.

The event included dinner, music and fun games for the children organized by XTreme Fun.

Head of School Alison Fleming unveiled the field’s official name, “Pirtle Field,” chosen to commemorate the life’s work of one of Gillispie’s past educators, Suzanne Pirtle.

Ms. Pirtle worked as a teacher at Gillispie for 15 years before retiring in 2012. She was in attendance at the ceremony, sitting near the dedication wall that reads, “Dedicated to Suzanne Pirtle and all devoted Gillispie teachers.” The wall also includes plaques with personalized messages from families who donated to the School’s fundraising campaign that helped raise money to build the field on Fay.

This historic day in Gillispie’s history ended with a throw of the field’s “first” football pass by current parent and former Charger offensive lineman Mike Goff to Gillispie P.E. teacher Ed Whelan.  

This event was the first of many events that school will likely hold on its new, open outdoor space!

—The Gillispie School submitted this announcement.