100 Years Ago: Dec. 11-17

From The Indianapolis News, Thursday, December 16, 1920: All school dances are banned at Shortridge High School until the “ultra-modern and immodest shimmy, camel walk, tickle-toe, and cheek-to-cheek” dances are discarded and more dignified dance steps of previous years are once again taken up by the students, principal George Buck announced today. Buck added, “All class censors have been notified; Shortridge cannot recognize the present-day dances. Some young people dance these immodest steps at all dances, and it has become such a practice at most dances that they ought to be under the supervision of policewomen.” The ban puts an end to a few formal dances that have been a part of Shortridge students’ social life for years. The senior prom scheduled for next month, dancing at the annual junior reception, and several other class dances have now been cancelled.