slave day

     Slave Day was once a traditional high school event. On slave day, upperclassmen--juniors and seniors--could "buy" sophomores. The sophomores sold themselves to raise money  for their class trip, or for the sophomore dance. If a sophomore was purchased by a junior or senior, he or she had to carry his owner's books all day. Sophomores were let out of class early to meet their "masters", so they would be in time to carry their books from one class to another. Other conditions were sometimes imposed, such as a silly outfit, but as a practical reality, only if the "slave" would put up with it. The sophomore class treasurer already had the money, anyway ( a slave went for $2, or something close to it ). Some schools called this "plebe" day.