The South Lakes community was excited about using the $1.4 million new artificial turf to host the first varsity home football game. However, after only being used once for a varsity field hockey game, the turf was vandalized.

Between the night of Friday August 30 and Saturday August 31, the new turf and blacktop located near Langston Hughes were vandalized with obscene images and vulgar language, prompting students to go help out.

“I am upset over the vandalism done both here and at Herndon,” Principal Kim Retzer said. “This sort of criminal behavior does not represent our schools or the rich competitive tradition we have between our students, staffs, and communities.”

After the new turf was destroyed, around 20 students assembled in order to help clean up the stadium and field before the first home game.

“I appreciate and respect those students who stepped up on their own to clean the vandalism,” Retzer said. “Their actions exemplify what it means to be a Seahawk.”

Students took time out of their last bit of summer vacation to organize a cleanup crew just shortly after the incident. The cleanup entailed scrubbing the walls, blacktop, track, and field.

“A few of my friends and I heard about the graffiti so we decided to go help out,” senior Jojo Kidane. “We cleaned up what we could on the walls and pavement. It did not come out of the turf or track even with all of the scrubbing.”

Even though students worked hard to wash off all of the obscene images, FCPS maintenance crews were hired to power wash the remaining damage on the track and blacktop.

“The students were able to get some off the solid surfaces,” Retzer said. “Design and construction worked with the vendor on the process for cleaning up the fields.”

Questions and concerns arise about the upcoming Herndon game while the rivalry grows stronger. Multiple police officers will attend the game for security.

“I’m not overly concerned about the game because I feel that there will be enough police officers there for security,” officer Scott Bacon said.

Along with security, both principals discussed the rivalry during the Parent Keep in Touch meeting. They want to make sure that there is respect within the Seahawk and Hornet communities.

“Mr. Bates and I are working to try to bring student leadership from both schools together to help us ensure our upcoming game and future competitions, reflect a friendly rivalry,” Retzer said.

Due to the work of those involved in the cleanup, it was possible for the Westfield football game to be played at home as scheduled. Before the game began, there was a ceremonial ribbon cutting to present the new turf field.