Annual Oyster Roast
Friday, January 26, 2024 | 7:00pm–9:00pm
Ashley Hall Sports Court
(Please enter event via the Smith Street Gate.)
This adult-only event is open to the entire Charleston community, so bring your friends. We look forward to seeing you there!
Tickets are $60 when purchased online by Wednesday, January 24.
Tickets are $45 for young alumnae, classes 2009-2019, when purchased online by Wednesday, January 24.
Tickets are $65 when purchased the evening of the event.
A cherished, longstanding Ashley Hall tradition, The Christmas Play assumed a digital format for its 2020 production in response to pandemic safety concerns. Against the backdrop of new technology, creative staging, and the need for the cast to socially distance, one thing remained clear: the love for this shared generational experience runs deep.
“This year we reimagined The Christmas Play in order to adhere to public health and safety protocols, and the spirit of this Ashley Hall tradition came to life in an entirely new way. Filmed outdoors on campus, the play allowed us to take full advantage of our cherished Senior Lawn as well as the Bear Cave, which served as the perfect backdrop for the Holy Tableaux.” —Head of School Jill Muti
Ask any alumna to name her favorite Ashley Hall memories, and The Christmas Play makes the list more often than not. Now in its 97th year, the annual performance is nearly as old as the School itself and draws together generations of graduates who relish memories of assuming roles of angels, shepherds, and jesters, reciting time-worn lines, and singing a repertoire that embodies the holiday season.
“The fact that you can reconnect so well with your Ashley Hall experience through watching the play makes it so special,” said Assistant Head of School and Upper School Director Anne Weston ’73, who treasures many fond memories of watching and performing in the play. “This year we worked hard to preserve the tradition of The Christmas Play in the face of challenging conditions.”
Historically, the logistics of The Christmas Play have adapted through the years to allow for location changes and staging demands, and the digital version represents the latest of these transformations. While the medium of delivery may change, it is reassuring to know the essence of this beloved tradition remains very much the same.
Another special Ashley Hall tradition is the sending of alumnae “telegrams.” Each year, alumnae cast members of The Christmas Play share warm wishes with members of the current cast. Filled with fun memories and loving support, these “telegrams” offer a glimpse into the special bond our alumnae have to their School and each other. Happy reading!
Bring your spouse, children, grandchildren, parents, nieces, nephews, and siblings for a picnic and Riverdogs game! Mix and mingle pre-game at a fun-filled picnic with hamburgers, hotdogs and all the fixings. First pitch is at 7:05pm when the Charleston Riverdogs take on the Columbia Fireflies. Tickets ensure special seating in Doby’s Deck. Tickets available online until May 25.
Adults | $20 Children 12 and younger | $10 Children 3 and under | FREE Young Alumnae (Class of 2003 and younger) | $15
Ashley Hall is thrilled to celebrate the life and work of distinguished alumna, Madeleine L’Engle Camp Franklin, class of 1937. L’Engle attended Ashley Hall as a boarding student beginning in 1933 and went on to write the award-winning novel A Wrinkle in Time. Known to her readers as Madeleine L’Engle, her book, A Wrinkle in Time, went on to win the Newbery Award in 1962. This year marks the centennial of L’Engle’s birth as well as a the exciting release of a new major motion picture by Disney of her beloved story, A Wrinkle in Time. We are proud of this Ashley Hall girl.
Click on the button below to learn more about Ashley Hall’s Uniquely Madeleine celebration.
Part angel and elf rolled into one, Dana Van Hook has spearheaded the Chicora Gift-Giving Project at Ashley Hall since 1999 and has helped share the spirit of this special season with approximately 3,000 Chicora Elementary students over this 18-year period. The Chicora Gift-Giving Project features a carefully assembled gift bag given to each student by Santa Claus himself at a special assembly at Chicora. The bag includes approximately 10 gifts: a new school uniform; toiletry items; new books based on the student’s reading level; and a special toy. Most importantly, the bags also include a personalized note from Santa with help from Ashley Hall students! “There is no agenda to the program and absolutely no overhead. 100% of everything is donated and comes from our amazing Ashley Hall community. The gifts given to these precious children takes pressure off their families during what is, for many, a financially challenging time of year. It fills my heart with a refreshed sense of joy every year,” said Dana.
This special holiday service project is embraced by students, faculty, parents, and Ashley Hall alumnae alike. Lively gift-giving assemblies are held in the Lower and Upper School with girls sharing presents and alumnae bring gifts to their Holiday party to contribute to the cause. Dana supplements contributions by shopping sales throughout the year, including buying Christmas cards the day after Christmas from the Dollar Store! Beginning the week prior to Thanksgiving, a special warehouse is donated for sorting of the inventory and bagging. Approximately 80 volunteers are involved in the bag assembly including Ashley Hall faculty/staff, 25 Upper School students, Chicora faculty members, and friends. Bags will then be transported to Chicora Elementary by bus—the large Ashley Hall 40-seater bus and 20 personal cars.
Thank you to all, especially Dana, for sharing your hearts with the children of Chicora Elementary School each December!
The Class of 2017 has officially taken their place as the newest members of the Ashley Hall Alumnae sisterhood.
With a class totaling 54, nearly half of our seniors accepted merit scholarships for academics. Many more students earned scholarships but chose to attend other institutions offering a better fit, substantial needs-based aid or instate tuition.
Cumulatively, the class garnered more than $2.6 million in merit scholarships to colleges and universities around the country.
Our graduates are attending 29 different colleges and universities.
Class members were accepted into 5 Honors Programs: College of Charleston, Clemson University, The University of Georgia, University of North Carolina at Wilmington Honors and University of South Carolina.
Congratulations to the Class of 2017. We could not be more proud of these young women and all they have accomplished at Ashley Hall. Look out world, here they come. Click on the button below to see the full list of this year’s college acceptances!
Ashley Hall is a K-12 independent school for girls, with a co-ed preschool, committed to a talented and diverse student population. We consider for admission students of any race, color, religion, and national or ethnic origin.
