He was Christian. He was loyal, loving, and faithful. He was funny and friendly. He was passionate, outgoing, and creative. And he was musical: he was Avery Andersen. By sponsoring this year’s Sunday showing of the fall musical, The Avery Andersen Foundation fosters a community love of fine arts while honoring the alum’s legacy.

Avery graduated from Atlantic High School in 2019 and attended Iowa State University to study meteorology, but was tragically killed in a one-car accident two days before Christmas in 2021.

Avery was involved in everything he could be. His mother, Sue Andersen said this meant everything from “being a freshman on the football team and wearing his football [jersey] to march in the halftime show.”

He just wanted to be involved with his community. “He wanted to try everything whether he was good at it or not,” said father Steve Andersen.

Their son loved performing. Sue said that if you asked Avery what his greatest accomplishment was, it would be making the All-State Band his senior year after being recalled every other time he auditioned.

Avery’s death forever changed his parents’ lives and the lives of everyone who knew him. Community members reached out to the Andersen family asking to make donations towards funeral expenses. The family received more donations than they needed to cover the funeral cost, so Steve said, “We knew we needed to give [the money] back,” and that was the “seed money” they needed to start the Avery Andersen Foundation.

As parents, Steve and Sue said the purpose of the Foundation is to ensure Avery’s legacy is not forgotten, and to raise money for things that Avery enjoyed and that were important to him. The Foundation sponsors different scholarships: the All In Award, the Beta Sigma Psi Spirit Award, and the Friend in Meteorology Award. These scholarships are awarded to individuals who are mentors, inclusive, and “all in.”

Beginning in 2023, the Foundation began providing free tickets to the musical’s Sunday matinee. They picked Sunday’s show because, according to Steve, “It didn’t have the greatest attendance of the three [performances].”

They aimed to fill up the auditorium: they almost did so last year, but want to garner an even larger crowd this year. This is something that the Foundation is proud of because it’s Avery’s way of giving back to his community by making sure the musical had support for every single show.

Sue said, “Part of the core value of the Foundation is the idea of celebrating people who embrace others.”

Avery was known to embrace others, wherever or whoever they were. Additionally, sponsoring the musical fits the Foundation’s purpose because it’s for everyone. According to Sue, you don’t have to be in band or choir class to be in musicals, nor do you have to be a good singer or dancer, but you have to be willing to have fun and enjoy yourself.

Avery was in all of the plays and musicals while in high school. “Music is really where he shines,” said Sue.

One of the reasons he loved it so much was the relationships he made with people. He loved being able to come in after school hours, have fun, and hang out with his friends – he loved to make people laugh and smile. Avery thought that the most important thing about a high school activity is whether or not it is inclusive.

Sue’s favorite musical memory was of Avery’s solo song “The Gypsy In Me” in the “Anything Goes” musical his senior year.  She said it was funny because it was a chance for him to be “dorky on a larger scale.”

Avery played a nerdy British man, and despite Sue’s belief that he may have been “type cast,” he was perfect for the role. He was never afraid to go out in front of a group of people and be funny and goofy. Steve’s favorite memory of Avery in the musical was watching him try to dance because “he is not a good dancer by any means.”

In line with Avery’s passions, a goal of the Foundation is to encourage all AHS students to “try things.” If something interests you, high school is the time to try it. Sue said, “Whether it be journalism, music, football, speech, debate, tennis, choir, or wrestling, get out there and do things.”

The Foundation board is still working on coming up with future long-term fundraisers. Steve said, “So far [we have] been supported just through the kindness and generosity of the community.”

Supporters can make donations by texting AVES to 53-555, which creates a link to their website. The Foundation is always trying to come up with new ideas for activities and fundraisers, and if people have different ideas, they’re encouraged to contact the Foundation with those suggestions.

For nearly three years and hopefully more, the Avery Andersen Foundation has honored his legacy by sharing his passion through the community. The Foundation wants people to support not only the musical, but all theater events, to support the students and celebrate their hard work. Avery’s legacy as an “all-in” person lives on.

This story was originally published on AHSneedle on November 13, 2024.