Avery: The Spirit That Would Not Die, 1865-2015

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Student Activities

Throughout the history of the school, Avery’s leaders encouraged students to participate in extracurricular activities such as drama, music, athletics, speech, and other club organizations, to develop school spirit, culture and “character.”

Music, Drama, Speech, and Clubs
Members of the Hi-Y Club in front of the Avery school building, Charleston, South Carolina, ca. 1939, courtesy of the Avery Research Center.

Members of the Hi-Y Club in front of the Avery school building, Charleston, South Carolina, ca. 1939, courtesy of the Avery Research Center for African American Histroy and Culture. Faculty member and Avery alumnus Alphonso W. Hoursey (far right) served as club advisor. Faculty and students organized the Hi-Y Club with the goal of promoting high Christian standards of character. Originally started as a club for male students, Avery students and faculty formed a female counterpart of the club in 1942.   

Jametta White as winner of the Miss Avery contest, Charleston, South Carolina, 1939, courtesy of the Avery Research Center.

Jametta White as winner of the Miss Avery contest, Charleston, South Carolina, 1939, courtesy of the Avery Research Center for African American Histroy and Culture.

"Girls' Annual Speaking Contest," program, 1936, courtesy of the Avery Research Center.

"Girls' Annual Speaking Contest," program, 1936, courtesy of the Avery Research Center for African American History and Cuture.

Members of the Girls' Glee Club, Charleston, South Carolina, 1925, courtesy of the Avery Research Center.

Members of the Glee Club, Charleston, South Carolina, 1925, courtesy of the Avery Research Center for African American History and Culture.

Members of the Criterion Club, Charleston, South Carolina, 1939, courtesy of the Avery Research Center.

Members of the Criterion Club, Charleston, South Carolina, 1939, courtesy of the Avery Research Center for African American History and Culture.

Members of Avery's high school chorus, Charleston, South Carolina, ca. 1950s, courtesy of the Avery Research Center.

Members of Avery's high school chorus, Charleston, South Carolina, ca. 1950s, courtesy of the Avery Research Center for African American History and Culture.

Dramatic Club student in costume for an Avery school play, Charleston, South Carolina, ca. 1920s, courtesy of the Avery Research Center.

Dramatic club student in costume for an Avery school play, Charleston, South Carolina, ca. 1920s, courtesy of the Avery Research Center for African American History and Culture.

Three Dramatic Club students in costume for an Avery school play, Charleston, South Carolina, ca. 1918, courtesy of the Avery Research Center.

Three Dramatic Club students in costume for an Avery school play, Charleston, South Carolina, ca. 1918, courtesy of the Avery Research Center for African American Histroy and Culture.

Dramatic Club student in costume for an Avery school play, Charleston, South Carolina, ca. 1920s, courtesy of the Avery Research Center.

Dramatic Club student in costume for an Avery school play, Charleston, South Carolina, ca. 1920s, courtesy of the Avery Research Center for African American History and Culture.

Members of the Dramatic Club, Charleston, South Carolina, 1939, courtesy of the Avery Research Center.

Members of the Dramatic Club, Charleston, South Carolina, 1939, courtesy of the Avery Research Center.

Dramatic Club students in costume for Avery school play, Charleston, South Carolina, 1918, courtesy of the Avery Research Center.

Dramatic Club students in costume for Avery school play, Charleston, South Carolina, 1918, courtesy of the Avery Research Center for African American History and Cultures.

Cast members of the production of Macbeth, Charleston, South Carolina, 1922, courtesy of the Avery Research Center.

Cast members of the production of Macbeth, Charleston, South Carolina, 1922, courtesy of the Avery Research Center for African American History and Culture.

Athletics
Student football team, Charleston, South Carolina, 1953, courtesy of the Avery Research Center.

Student football team, Charleston, South Carolina, 1953, courtesy of the Avery Research Center for African American History and Culture.

Four athletic coaches, Charleston, South Carolina, 1939, courtesy of the Avery Research Center.

Four athletic coaches, Charleston, South Carolina, 1939, courtesy of the Avery Research Center for African American History and Culture.

Student athlete, Charleston, South Carolina, 1918, courtesy of the Avery Research Center.

Student athlete, Charleston, South Carolina, 1918, courtesy of the Avery Research Center for African American History and Culture.

Six junior varsity basketball team players in junior class, Charleston, South Carolina, ca. 1915, courtesy of the Avery Research Center.

Six junior varsity basketball team players, Charleston, South Carolina, ca. 1915, courtesy of the Avery Research Center for African American History and Culture.

Boys basketball team with trophies, Charleston, South Carolina, courtesy of the Avery Research Center.

Boys basketball team with trophies, Charleston, South Carolina, courtesy of the Avery Research Center for African American History and Culture.

Ticket for an Avery Institute versus Burke Industrial School football game, Charleston, South Carolina, November 20, 1941, courtesy of the Avery Research Center.

Ticket for an Avery Institute versus Burke Industrial School football game, Charleston, South Carolina, November 20, 1941, courtesy of the Avery Research Center for African American History and Culture.

 

Avery varsity letter, ca. 1940s, courtesy of the Avery Research Center.

Avery varsity letter, Charleston, South Carolina, ca. 1940s, courtesy of the Avery Research Center for African American History and Culture.

Cheerleaders, Charleston, South Carolina, 1939, courtesy of the Avery Research Center.

Cheerleaders, Charleston, South Carolina, 1939, courtesy of the Avery Research Center for African American History and Culture.

Athletic directorate, Charleston, South Carolina, 1939, courtesy of the Avery Research Center.

Athletic directorate, Charleston, South Carolina, 1939, courtesy of the Avery Research Center for African American History and Culture.

Coach with student athletes, Charleston, South Carolina, 1939, courtesy of the Avery Research Center.

Coach with student athletes, Charleston, South Carolina, 1939, courtesy of the Avery Research Center for African American History and Culture.

Gymnastics team, Charleston, South Carolina, 1939, courtesy of the Avery Research Center.

Gymnastics team, Charleston, South Carolina, 1939, courtesy of the Avery Research Center for African American History and Culture.

Girls basketball team, Charleston, South Carolina, 1939, courtesy of the Avery Research Center.

Girls' basketball team, Charleston, South Carolina, 1939, courtesy of the Avery Research Center for African American History and Culture.