Our high school Anchor and Key clubs were the same way. For Anchors (all female) only the most elite girls were allowed in and the girls (not the faculty--as it was advertised throughout the school) voted on the new members. "Initiation" included being forced to go all over town one afternoon after school in RIDCULOUS (sometimes scandalous) outfits making a public fool of yourself. Some stuff was really crude. The following day the girls were met at their house by their "big sis" and wore their Anchor jersey and whatever other clothing items the big sis wanted. They were not allowed to wear makeup and often had stuff written all over their bodies. Whenever the "pledges" saw a member that day they had get on their knees and recite some poem about how they were "peons" and "striving to sail their way to (i don't remember the word)" Girls also had to do whatever the members said all day...some people even made them lick food off of the floor
Key club was even worse....the guys were dressed in drag and always had mustard and ketchup and vinegar and egg smashed on their bodies. Then they had to come to school like this!!! It was really unfortunate to have to sit by one of these guys because by the end of the day they were smelling pretty ripe. Later on they went to initiation at someone's lake house...consisted of getting drunk and being paddled.
The administration never thought this was of concern. And I only graduated high school 5 years ago...
Lovely, don't ya think??