Stephens-Lee Class of ’63 Holds Celebration
By Johnnie Grant
Stephens-Lee Alumni Class of 1963 celebrated a weekend of fellowship and entertainment during their 50th class reunion held August 22-25, 2013.
The celebration kicked off on Thursday with a “meet-and-greet” at the home of Mr. and Mrs. John Darity of Asheville. On Friday evening, classmates gathered at the Asheville Events Center for a formal dinner, where they reminisced about school days at the “Castle on the Hill.”
The following day, participants toured the Stephens-Lee Community Center Alumni Room and the gymnasium, where many were excited to locate their names etched (and untouched) on the gym’s “wall of fame.”
Saturday evening, alumni returned to the Asheville Event Center, where members joined their classmates from places as far as Washington state, Oklahoma, Kansas, Michigan, and Illinois. On Sunday, August 25, the class attended Ray of Hope Interdenominational Church, with services conducted by past class president and Class of ’63 alumna Rev. Inez (Davis) Ray.
Class president Gerald Fant stated, “This class has worked very hard to make this reunion a memorable event. I’m hoping the class of ’63 continues to remain a cohesive group.” Other officers and committee members include: Vice Pres. Freddie Waters, Christine Stepp, Gloria Gilliam, Betty Paterson, Althea Goode, and Cecil Foster.
About Stephens-Lee High School
Stephens-Lee High School gained fame across the state, region, and nation in areas of accelerated academics, music, drama, and athletics. Stephens-Lee High faculty were highly credentialed, with most educators holding master’s degrees and PhDs from such prestigious universities as Columbia and Harvard. The school was the largest African American educational institute in Western North Carolina from 1923 to 1965.
