Kilties
"The Kilties were founded by R. Ritchie Robertson as the first uniformed girls group in the country. They have come to represent true democracy at SHS [now Central High School], and to typify the high school girl at her best and most charming.
"Any sophomore girl could apply; the only physical requirement was that she be between five feet two and five feet five inches in height, because the uniforms have no hems. She had to pay a two-dollar rental for the uniform. Grades were important, because a girl with consistently poor grades ‘has no time’ for the training required. A rhythm, posture and marching test was also given.
"Some of the leaders of the 1953 Kilties were, left to right, Mary Ann Chilton, assistant drum major and senior twirler; Bobbie Kay Todd, Trumpet captain; Sara Stubblefield, President; Alice Jane Thompson, drum captain; and Kay Ann Leaming, pipe captain."
Bias Magazine September 1953
Find this article at