Asheville Reporter

Stephens-Lee Alumni Association’s biennial reunions offer a chance to reminisce about days in the “Castle on the Hill” with former schoolmates. This year’s celebration marks 100 years since the first class graduated from a school that became well known across the southeast for its excellence in academics, athletics, and the arts. The final graduation took place in 1965, but the school’s legacy continues as its gym was converted to a community center in the 1970s.

“The alumni association is attempting to reach every alumnus from our beloved Stephens-Lee High School,” according to Sarah Weston Hart, president of the association. “Your attendance will be a memorable experience to celebrate, reminisce, and fellowship with alumni, family, and friends. Please do not miss out on your opportunity to participate in this wonderful celebration.”

The reunion celebration takes place at Stephens-Lee Community Center July 5-7, 2024 and carries the theme, “100 Years and Still Stepping (Let us Never Forget) the ‘Castle on the Hill.’” Highlights include a memorial service and Class Night on Friday; an official alumni meeting, banquet, and dance on Saturday; and cookout on Sunday.

For more information, alumni may direct questions to Stephens-Lee Alumni Association President Sarah Hart at (828) 279-7300 or Alberta Williams at (828) 215-1191 or contact their graduating class president. Stephens-Lee Community Center is located at 30 George Washington Carver Avenue in Asheville.

Stephens-Lee High School opened during the 1922-1923 academic year but held its first graduation in 1924. From its inception, the Academic Gothic style building became a center for Black culture, education, and athletics throughout North Carolina's mountains. When one of the only other high schools for Black students in the region burned down, students made a daily four-and-a-half-hour trip in an unheated bus from Yancey County to attend Stephens-Lee. With only one remaining Black high school located in Hendersonville, Stephens-Lee attracted students from throughout western North Carolina.

Asheville Parks & Recreation manages over 65 public parks and recreational spaces throughout Asheville. Its system includes recreation centers, swimming pools, Riverside Cemetery sports fields and courts as well as community centers offering wellness-, education-, and culture-related programs for residents of all ages. With ten miles of paved greenways and numerous natural surface trails within its portfolio it serves as a vibrant hub for people to connect with their neighbors while exploring Asheville's natural beauty.

Driven by its mission that Asheville is better when everyone has opportunities for support healthiness success Asheville Parks & Recreation was recognized as America's first nationally-accredited municipal recreation department For updates sign up for monthly newsletters follow Facebook (@aprca) Instagram (@ashevilleparksandrecreation) or visit www.ashevillenc.gov/parks