The Women of Allen High School: A Reunion Celebrating ‘Excellence, Enthusiasm, Empowerment’

Greeting each other are Allen High alumnae and former neighbors (L-R) Pamela (Haith) Njoka-Obi, class of ’66, Elaine (Whitson) Hunter, class of ’68, and Rosanna (Haith) Wilfong, class of ’68.

Alumni from local neighborhoods and from across the country, graduates in classes from 1949 to 1972, gathered recently in Asheville to celebrate the academic excellence and cultural heritage of Allen High School.

By Johnnie Grant

After an official greeting by the Honorable Terry M. Bellamy, Mayor of Asheville, the 108 alumni present were welcomed by Zanie (Bristol) Davidson, Class of ’65. The “Passing the Torch” statement was given by Margaret (Young) Roberts (’65), Dolores (Hymes) Lassiter (’50) spoke on the purpose of the gathering.

Ms. Beverly Dorn-Steele (’67), introduced by her sister Sheila (Dorn) Jones (’65), presented the keynote address, “Giving Back.”

Ms. Steele is Director of Educational Services & Outreach for WTVI-TV-42, in Charlotte, NC, where she developed and implemented the award-winning WTVI “Ready to Learn” program. Her message focused on how adults should provide programs and activities aimed at empowering youth to take charge of their destiny and become the forces of social change.

“We need to introduce them to activities that help them gain
self-esteem, to believe in themselves, and gain analytical and decision
making skills. So, go out there and make a difference in someone else’s
life whether it’s in a big or small way,” said Ms. Steele.

Allen High School alumnae sisters, Sheila (Dorn) Jones (L), class of ’65, and Beverly (Dorn) Steele, class of ’67.

In her job Dorn-Steele serves as a catalyst in developing outreach
campaigns by bringing together individuals, citizen groups, civic and
youth organizations, business leaders, educators, and health experts to
identify common problems, share resources, and promote solutions. She
has received numerous awards, both nationally and locally, and also is
an active advocate for family literacy, early childhood, and
multicultural education programs.

The Allen High Alumnus Footlocker Program Awards were presented to
Satorria Jones, a student at UNC Pembroke, and Ethan Moore, a student at
Western Carolina University. The Footlocker Program helps deserving
college students throughout North Carolina and nationally.

The evening ended with a benediction by Dr. Lillie (Madison) Jones
(’61).

A Brief History of Allen High School

Founded in 1887 by the Methodist Episcopal Church Woman’s Home
Missionary Society, Allen High School served the African American
population of Western North Carolina for three quarters of a century.
The first superintendent was Ms. Alsie B. Dole, who educated both boys
and girls in a grammar school and in an industrial department for girls
and women. Initially, children attended school during the day, and
adults attended at night. Alsie Dole also helped to found Berry Temple
Church (1887), which met in the school’s chapel until the congregation
was able to build its own home. In 1888, a high school curriculum was
added.

The school was re-named the “Allen Home School” in 1897 by Mrs. Marriage
Allen of London, England, who donated funds for a student-housing
dormitory.

In 1924, Allen Home High School became a four-year North Carolina
accredited high school and ended its grammar-school programs. In 1940,
it joined the Southern Association of Colleges and Secondary Schools,
becoming one of only two high schools for black students in the 17
counties of western North Carolina to be accredited by the SACSC. Boys
continued to attend until 1941, when the name was officially changed to
Allen High School; thereafter the school provided secondary education
exclusively for African American girls.

By 1947, the enrollment was 135 boarding and day students. The site
consisted of three buildings with 16 college-educated staff. During this
time the school offered an accredited college preparatory curriculum.
Allen High School sent more than 50 percent of its graduates to college,
some to Wellesley and Vassar.

Nationally and internationally known for academic excellence, the Allen
School graduated women who blazed trails around the world. In the 1960s,
President Lyndon Johnson presented a Presidential Scholar medallion to
Andrea Williams, an Allen High School graduate. Another alumna was a
NASA mathematician who traveled the world introducing satellite
technology in her role as Communications Director for President Jimmy
Carter. Jazz singer Nina Simone and 26th District Court Judge Yvonne
Mims Evans were also Allen High graduates.

Allen High School graduated 1,177 students before its 1974 closing,
which was due to a decrease in enrollment, desegregation, and a lack of
funds. In the mid-1970s, the school site became the Allen Center, and it
is presently the home of the College Place Office Park.

Allen High School Class of 1937
Allen (Home) High School, class of 1937. Pictured in the second row, fourth student from the left is Thelma (Peterson) Bristol.  Photo provided courtesy of Zanie (Bristol) Davidson.

Allen High School Class of 1965
How many family members and friends can you find in this photo?
Photo provided courtesy of Zanie (Bristol) Davidson, Allen High School Class of ‘65.