On this day in 1975, the Shanley High School Deacon Dollies, a rope-skipping troupe, were highlighted for their complicated halftime routines performed at local and state basketball tournaments.
Here is the complete story as it appeared in the paper that day:
In recent years halftime entertainment has become an important part of the basketball scene. This is especially true at tournament time.
One of the better-known groups in the local area that performs at basketball games is the Shanley High School Deacon Dollies, a troupe of nine girls who do rope skipping routines in time to music. They were organized six years ago and are directed by Marlis Callahan.
The groups perform at each Shanley home basketball game during the season and at the regional and state Class A tournaments.
Their complicated maneuvers require practice at least three times a week, or oftener when they are learning new routines. Tryouts for the group are held each spring with sophmores and juniors eligible so the following year all are juniors and seniors.
Current members of the Deacon Dollies are: Michelle Bolgrean, 1509 4th Ave. S., Eileen Bower, 415 14th Ave. N., Deb Cossette, 620 1st St. N..; Meg Grove, 509 Southwood Drive; Jill Olson 310 27th Ave. N.; Holly Riedman, 802 1st St. N.; Barb Thoreson, 1730 16th St. S., Fargo, and Mary Grams, 1301 4th Ave. N., and Connie Setter, 1117 1st St. S., both Moorhead.
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