UPLAND – Upland High School (UHS) celebrated the completion of its new athletic field on Feb. 18 with a ribbon-cutting ceremony, marking a major milestone for the school and broader community. The event honored the generous community partners and donors whose support made the project possible.

Local dignitaries, school officials, students, and community members gathered to commemorate the occasion and honor Ralph Cavallo, a beloved community leader who was instrumental in bringing the project to life and who died in early February.

Featured speakers included UHS baseball player Austin Mellon; UHS Head Baseball Coach Dylan Smith; UHS Principal Dr. Martin Gomez; Jesse Armendarez of the San Bernardino County Board of Supervisors; Board of Education member Wes Fifield; and Upland Unified Superintendent Dr. Lynn Carmen Day.

“This project coming to fruition proves that when we come together as a community, anything is possible,” Carmen Day said.

The ceremony was dedicated to Cavallo’s memory. Affectionately known as “Mr. Upland,” Cavallo was the first-ever recipient of a key to the City of Upland in September 2025 in recognition of his extensive volunteer service. During the ceremony, Armendarez presented the Cavallo family with a certificate of appreciation honoring his role as project manager for the new athletic field, which also includes a state-of-the-art scoreboard.

“Having facilities like this makes such a positive impact on team morale,” Mellon said, as students unveiled a banner reading “Cavallo’s Corner — In Honor of Project Manager Ralph Cavallo,” which will be displayed at the baseball field.

A commemorative plaque recognizing the community members and organizations who contributed to the project will also be installed.

“To our students — you are the reason we do this work,” Gomez said. “We look forward to seeing a CIF championship banner hanging on the field in the future.”

PHOTO CAPTIONS:

UUSD_RibbonCutting1: Noreen Cavallo and Jesse Armendarez of the San Bernardino County Board of Supervisors cut the ribbon to celebrate the completed installation of new artificial turf athletic fields at Upland High School on Feb. 18.

UUSD_RibbonCutting2: Upland High School baseball players warm up prior to a game on the new artificial turf baseball field. The project also included installation of a state-of-the-art scoreboard.