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!

1950s Dating in Sikeston, Missouri

Tom and me with Monoply Board

My freshman year at Sikeston High School I enjoyed playing trumpet in the band, marching in the band at football games and parades, being with my girlfriends in Red Peppers, participating in the National Forensic League (a speech and debating club), and a few more activities.  But most of all I enjoyed spending time with Tom Harmon.

I remember that each day after school he would be waiting for me by the Band Building.  He would carry part of my things and we would go to Wag's and get a Pepsi and Fifth Avenue candy bar.  On the way home, we would share the 12-ounce drink, in a bottle, and 3 ounce candy bar.   We stopped at Heath Street to go our separate ways.  We looked into each other’s eyes and hating parting.  We must have looked ridiculous to others.  We were very young, only 14 and 16 years old my Freshman year, and yet thinking we were grown-up.  Surprisingly, I am still with that skinny, pimple faced boy.  He is no longer skinny and has put on weight over the years.  His skin is now clear and he is a handsome man.

Tom had no car, so we walked places.  I know that seems odd today, but in the 1950s and early 1960s people in small towns often walked places.  Most families had only one car that they shared.  Dad always had the last word on who got to use the car at any given time.  Partly because we walked, everyone was thinner back then.  People never ate in their cars, they ate together at the kitchen or dining room table.  In general, everyone was more active, and kids played outside until their mothers called them in at evening time. 

There was not a lot to do in Sikeston without a car.  We went to the movies one a week and went out driving around with friends in their cars.   Tom came over to my house almost every night.  My parents were not fond of cards, so we played board games at my house, like Chinese Checkers or Monopoly.  Most evenings we walked out back and sit on the picnic table and talked.  When my Dad came out and coughed it was time to go back inside, and for Tom to go to his home.

My parents tried to interest me in other things so I didn't spend as much time with Tom but that rarely worked.  I do remember my going to Band Camp one summer at Southeast Missouri State in Cape Girardeau.  That was a lot of fun.  I made new friends and interacted with students who all enjoyed playing music.

Oh, if we only knew then, what we know now.  I realize now that our youth is a time to explore opportunities and broad friendships.  Had I not been wrapped up in Tom Harmon I might have had a much richer High School experience.  I have had a good life and would change only a few things.  I look forward to my class reunions and will be in Sikeston attending my 55^th SHS Class of 1962 reunion this September.  I realize how much I missed in school when I listen to friends fondly recall all they did in high school, without being focused on a single person.  Sadly, we can only give young people advice to enjoy their youth, each one has to experience it their way.  What is good for many, is not always good for others.  Those differences make life and people interesting.  I remember that walking home with Tom Harmon made me happy then, and I still enjoy walking beside him today.

Memories of Sikeston, Missouri

                                         

Most of us who grew up in a small town have fond memories of our hometown.  For me, it was Sikeston, Missouri. We could walk anywhere, anytime and by yourself, if we wanted.  We knew the neighbors on both sides of our house and usually many more neighbors.  If my parents were not home for some reason and I needed an adult, I just went to a friendly neighbor.  We knew all the neighbor kids that went to school with us too.

I have posted pictures to bring back memories of the place.  From the library to the Bank of Sikeston with its painted mural (I believe it is a Thomas Hart Benton mural) on the back wall, to Kirby's Sandwich Shop.  Everyone knew you, and we were kind to one another.

  

Those of us born in the mid-1940s experienced a freedom of movement that children today could hardly imagine.  We could get on our bikes and ride all over town as long as we were home by the time our Mom told us to be home.  I was blessed with good loving parents, but I am sure there was some child abuse back then too.  We just never heard of it.  Not one of my friends talked badly about their parents.  Their siblings were another story.  That has not changed over the years.  It was not perfect, of course.  The relations between Blacks and Whites were not acceptable. Many Whites had a feeling of superiority over Blacks, and I was uncomfortable with that back then, and still am today.  As a child and teenager, you just seem to go with the flow.  Today, I defend my opinion, when different than the majority, in as non-offensive manner as possible. 

   

Who could forget the Jaycee Bootheel Rodeo?  I looked forward to purchasing my western clothes for the rodeo, the Rodeo Parade, and learning who the movie or TV star would be that year.  I wish I had saved some of the programs to remind me of all the stars that appeared at the Rodeo while I lived at home.

    

     

Another great memory is of the Gay 90's Village and all those moving and loud musical instruments.  I begged my Dad to take me there all the time.  We would go out to the Village about once a week.  Sadly, it is gone now, but I am grateful to Mr. Eakins for restoring all those beautiful instruments so they can continue to bring joy to old and young alike.  My husband Tom and I visited Eureka Springs, Arkansas in 2006.  In the lobby of one of their historical hotels stands one of the larger models roped off to the public.  In the front left corner is a sign stating, "purchased from Paul Eakins of Sikeston, Missouri."  Just think, I played the instrument in the Gay 90's Village weekly.  Today, it is by special invitation only.  I think a bit of each of us remains the child from our hometown.  Our hearts skip a bit when we connect to those formative years.