Agnes Jeter
Agnes Jeter graduated from Winthrop College in 1929, where she was affectionately
known as "Jete". "Jete" began her athletic career at Union High School as an exceptional
guard on the first girls' basketball team. She played varsity all four years and was
captain of the team for three of those four years! Agnes Jeter's groundbreaking was
acknowledged by Union High School in 2000, by her induction into the Union High School
Athletic Hall of Fame.
While at Winthrop, "Jete" continued to be active in basketball while adding field
hockey, tennis, archery, track, and bowling to her athletic resume. She played three
years on the varsity basketball team and led her class team to four class championships.
By her graduation in 1929, Agnes Jeter was named one of the three best all-around
athletes at Winthrop.
Ms. Jeter is best known for her leadership of Camp Yonahlossee, which means "Trail
of the Bear". She began as a college student counselor in 1927 and by the 1950s she
was co-owner and director of the 350-acre camp in Blowing Rock, North Carolina. For
over 54 years, "Jete" touched the lives of hundreds of girls and young women at Camp
Yonahlossee. By her retirement in 1981, Agnes Jeter was welcoming the granddaughters.
Her camp was committed to teaching young girls the joy of living in the outdoors and
the benefits of life long activity. Her success can be measured by the annual reunions
held by former campers. These same campers maintain a Web site and are known as the
"Sisters of the Y". These women continue to support each other and "Jete" through
their ongoing involvement with each other. What could be a better testimony to her
impact? Ms. Jeter has often said that the best decision she ever made was to attend
Winthrop.