Red Pepper Initiation Banned? How Sad!!

Outgoing 1962 Red Pepper Officer
 and new 1963 Officers - First Row: 
Shirley Adams, Patsy McWilliams, 
Cassandra Corley, Rosie Litchford,
and Marsha Gibson

It was regrettable to hear the Sikeston Public School Board banned the Red Pepper Initiation a few years ago.  It was part of the school culture and was a tradition that girls looked forward to their Freshman year of high school.  I never heard of anyone harmed, or of any violence as part of the Red Pepper Initiation Day.  You were not required to join the Red Peppers, but for those who did join, initiation was considered a privilege.  It was worth one day of silliness.

First, you had to memorize the following songs.  Then you had to sing them to the satisfaction of the Red Peppers grading you for acceptance.

               All three verses of the “Red and Black.

All three verses of “The Star-Spangled Banner.”

There were a few other things that I have forgotten in fifty-five years, but these were the two biggies.

The INITIATION DAY was always on a Friday.  Green Peppers were required to have a Red Pepper sponsor to lead you through the day.  I remember I had to pull my sponsor in a red wagon where ever she wanted to go.  We were required to wear ridiculous costumes all day, even to classes.  Any Red Pepper could tell us to do something, and we had to do it.  It was done in fun and very few, if anyone, felt dehumanized.  It was fun for everyone, and it was required to be a cool RED PEPPER.  I remember two more things we were expected to do, even on the school grounds.  In talking with my friend and classmate Millie Bennett Nauman by telephone recently, and we recalled the following:

The First Requirement:  We had to drop to the ground when they said: “HIME is coming.” Then we had to put our noses to the ground so we could not see HIME.  Green Peppers were not worthy of seeing HIME before we became full Red Peppers.

The Second Requirement:  When asked by a Red Pepper, “Who is the Greenest Green Pepper?”  We had to respond with the following.  Millie reminded me that we also had to get down on our knees while citing this, and we had to turn in circles.  The proper response was -

Of all the Green Peppers Ever So Green

I am the Greenest pepper you have ever seen.

Then, when the school bell rang for school dismissal, all the green Peppers gathered in front of the “old” high school and waited for their sponsors.  We offered our sponsor a ride to the park in front of the business section, in the middle of town.  There, everyone enjoyed a big celebration and final initiation tricks.  Some green Peppers had eggs crushed on their heads, some had honey poured over their heads, then cornflakes smashed into the honey.  I was lucky.  I just had orange juice poured over my head, in addition to wearing a green Pepper all day, I also had to wear an orange around my neck.  It was not until that moment in the park that I understood why I had to wear the orange.  If my sponsor told me to eat either, or both, then I ate it.  At the end of that day, the green Peppers looked a mess, and they were tired. 

Then, the Red Pepper President blew her whistle signaling the conclusion.  Initiation was over, and inclusion began.  There were hugs, cheers, and congratulations.  We made the cut!  Most young ladies considered it fun and worth every moment of that day to become RED Peppers for three years.  Some may call this hazing, I call it character building.  Things given without effort is never appreciated as much as things earned.  

Gone, but not forgotten!