It was only fitting that 33-rpm records, old newspapers, and movie stars were in the background, when four generations of Edna
Earl Chapman Grant's family gathered, on Wednesday night, to celebrate four generations of membership in the Hi King Klub.
Edna Earl was a member back in 1933-34 and began a family tradition.

 

"HKK....84 Years and Still Going"

 

by: Bobby McDonald

 

 

Anyone having been reared in Sulphur Springs knows that a "SCUM," "Is the the lowest form of animal, vegetable, and mineral matter living!!!." No one knows for certain when the first "SCUM" was born, but anyone can tell you that the Hi King Klub in Sulphur Springs has been a tradition since 1926. It's one of the oldest social organizations for young ladies in Northeast Texas and has seen a number of changes in its 84 years history, but still embraces tradition. Back in 1926, young ladies in Sulphur Springs were looking for something to do and created a Hiking Club, and would take hikes in and around Hopkins County, on Saturdays, forming the original sisterhood.

"For our initiation, we had to wear a man's white shirt, backwards," remembers Edna Earl Chapman Grant. "And, that was back during the Great Depression, 1933-34. "But, we didn't do some of the things the girls are required to do now, like slave auctions, 'baby night,' and having a presentation at the end of the year. I really don't remember us doing anything that allowed us to 'dress-up'!"

"Well, we've changed a trademark tradition of HKK, this year and the scums are eating 'egg beaters' instead of raw eggs," related Meagan Massey, Edna Earl's great-granddaughter. "Because of the salmonella scare, we voted to let little sisters eat 'egg beaters' for the first time, as it had a been an HKK tradition to eat raw eggs, for generations!"

 

"A scum is the lowest form of animal, vegetable, or mineral matter living!!!."

 

"We had presentation back in 1985-86, when I was a member," related Jennifer Kennedy Massey, Meagan's mother, and Edna Earl's granddaughter. "And, I can remember my Mom, the late Pam Kennedy, talking about her presentation, so I know they had it in 1958-59, when she was a member!"

 

 

 

This year's presentation is planned for the spring season, where each of the senior members and their little sisters will be presented in the Hopkins County Civic Center.

 

 

As part of the initiation, little sisters are required to "Hate Boys" for the entire week, beg for candy and canned goods to donate to the food bank, wear the same clothes to initiation each night, wear red lipstick, and "write on each sheet of a roll of toilet paper," along with learning songs, facts about the organization, and who alumni members are.

"I remember our initiation, just like it was yesterday," revealed Vera Harrington. "I was a member of the organization back in 1950-51, and we were taken to Daingerfield State Park, where they mixed a pot of ketchup, BBQ sauce, and put wieners in it for us to eat. Then, we spent the night, had syrup poured in our hair, oatmeal put in it, and had to ride home in the back of a pick-up! My daughters were members back in the 1970's and it was much the same thing, but they had a week-long initiation!"

 

 

 

"When we went to college and pledged a sorority, it was a 'piece of cake' to go through initiation, when you'd been an HKK member," allowed another alumni of the organization. "College initiation was much easier, but HKK was fun, when you were going through it with all of your best friends!"

 

 

 

 

 

And, speaking of initiation with your best friends, Jan McDonald Lawrence related that she was initiated in 1979, and that the "scums" weren't suppose to be seen driving. She and three of her friends went to one of their grandmother's house and "borrowed" her old "Rambler," stationwagon car, and dressed up like little ol' ladies and came to town, drove around the local parking lot, waving at the big sisters, and were never detected. "We had more fun that night!" related Jan. "Of course, doing it on the sly, made it just that much more fun!"

"I was a senior member in 1976," related Judy McDonald Jones. "And, we celebrated the Golden Jubilee of HKK, and presented the original members at our presentation, so we got to meet the women who started the organization. I remember Mrs. Lena Mae Rogers and Mrs. Margaret Ashcroft being original members!"

 

 

 

 

 

 

"We did a number of service projects throughout the year, like collecting for March of Dimes, the local Food Bank, and other charitable causes, and met monthly to plan presentation," remembered Jones. "I think they continue to do those things, basically like you would any other service club."

This year the HKK is once again collecting food for the Food Bank and will wear "pink" on Thursday night, to raise awareness for fighting Breast Cancer.

"It's a great way to share your high school experience and something that unites you with the other women of Sulphur Springs," expressed another alumni. "You certainly never forget all of the stuff you must eat and the silly and fun things that you did, during initiation week!"

 

Part of the Big Sisters and their pledges for 2010-11 pose with food collected for this year's Food Drive, on
Wednesday night. On Thursday night, they will be raising awareness for Breast Cancer.

 

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