Education: Rebellion in Bethany

Almost anywhere else, a ceremonial kiss is part of every high-school queen's inaugural. But not in Bethany, Okla. Most of its 2,600 citizens are Nazarenes, members of a strict sect close to the fundamentalist Methodists, who consider public kissing sinful, along with beer halls, smoking, and women in shorts. Last week, when 16-year-old Basketball King Riddell Riggs defiantly kissed 16-year-old Queen Charlotte McClain before an applauding crowd of students, the incident touched off a near civil war.

Next day, 16 pupils quit the high school, fearing that even stricter rules were sure to follow. Six of the rebels were promptly expelled....

Want the full story?

Subscribe Now

Subscribe
Subscribe

Learn more about the benefits of being a TIME subscriber

If you are already a subscriber sign up — registration is free!