FOR MANY YEARS, residents of the early City of Sunland/Tujunga fought to have a

high school in their community.

Prior to 1932, students had to take the bus to Glendale High. After ‘32, they were bussed to San Fernando High.

By August, ‘33, the Tujunga Chamber of Commerce was trying to secure a high school for the Tujunga Valley, but there was no money.

By October, ‘33, the Chamber of Commerce launched a campaign to raise the funds.

A ladies organization formed in ‘34 to press the district to build a high school. They lobbied for the next two years.

And Verdugo Hills High School was born.

Verdugo Hills High School75 Years of Excellence

1937-2012

Verdugo built on the site of a lemon orchard next to the original Plainview Elementary School.

• Calvin Coolidge High School was going to be the school’s name.

• Congressman John Steven McGroarty lobbied to have the name changed to Verdugo Hills.

• September 13, 1937: School opens (437 students, Grades 7-11).

• Room 7 was the main building-it was where the main building and flagpole now stands.

• 521 students in second semester. • June 21, 1939-First class of 51

students graduate.

• Verdugo takes over the Plainview ES site. Parking lot replaces the school’s main building.

• The other classroom buildings became part of the VHHS campus (Magnet area).

• 1940-New gym added• 1948-Main building completed • 1948-The original building moved.

• 1942-Cornerstone for Auditorium laid.

• 1957- Auditorium completed, named for John Steven McGroarty, a local, California's Poet Laureate and a U.S. Congressman.

• 1957-Keltner Glen added, named for Phil Keltner, active member of the school's Booster Club, left in a wheelchair after contracting polio.

• 1961-Glenn Hall built and named in honor of astronaut and US Senator, John Glenn.

• 1966-The building housing the wood, electric and auto shops built.

• 1969-Suffel Hall built-named for Ms. Lucia Shumway Suffel (art/jewelry-making).

• 1998-New Media Lab replaces Auto Shop and Electric Shop.

• 2012-SLC Project is completed.

Verdugo has had a long line of very successful alumni in every field-politics, music, drama, civil rights, industry, and more!

• Corey Allen (movies)• Dr. Susan Ashley (psychology -

author) Class of 1978

• Michael Baldwin (movies - actor)Class of 1981

• Bekka Bramlett (music)• Jan Brewer

(governor Arizona)

• Chris Burns (CNN anchor)

• Don E. FauntLeRoy (movies - director) Class of 1971

• Michael Huckman (reporter)Class of 1979

• K. Lee Johnson (movies - stuntman) Class of 1977

• Michael J. Kouri (paranormal) Class of 1982

• Scott Manzo (music ) Class of 1977

• Alan Lezman (movies) Class of 1968

• John Ingle (movies) Class of 1946

• A Martinez (Actor) Class of 1966

• Molly Murphy MacGregor (education) Class of S-1964

• Howard P. "Buck" McKeon (politics) Class of 1956

• Jeff Mitchum (photography) Class of 1977

• Jaye P. Morgan (singer) Class of W-1950

• Robert C. Nakasone (business) Class of W-1966

• Brian Nash (acting)Class of 1974

• John Purdell (music) Class of 1977

• Steve White (U.S. armed forces) Class of 1946

• Jonathan Valen (music) Class of 1977

• David Simpson (U.S. armed forces) Class of 1976

• Dick & Tom Smothers (comedy)

Verdugo Hills High School is proud of all we do for our students…the future leaders, artists, educators, doctors, lawyers…and everything in between.

Verdugo Hills High School75 Years of Excellence

1937-2012