The group was started under the direction of Judith A. Meeks, shortly after she became the Choral Director at CGHS. The Debtones performed in a costume, performed more popular music and added small dance steps into the mix of their show. The group became popular around the Indianapolis Metropolitan area quite quickly and made a couple of early television performances in the 60's and early 70's. In many ways the Debtones were way ahead of their time. Many women's ensembles were not looked at as being very serious from a performance standpoint. The Debtones really showed that women's groups were just as great to listen and watch as mixed groups.

The size of the group varied, however it was usually no more than 20 members, and on average would be 12-16 young ladies, mainly upperclassman. We are proud to have many people in our community as part of one of the first year's of the group known as The Debtones.

With show choir competition gaining in popularity, the shift towards mixed groups in competition and very little opportunity for female show choirs, Debs began to be considered more of a junior varsity show choir, training students for their opportunities in the mixed competitive group. However, by the mid-1980's it was clear that Debtones would soon begin competing in Women's Divisions at show choir competitions and that they would once again be considered a varsity level ensemble with the creation of the new JV group, Great Expectations.

1988 marked The Debtones first year in competition with Danny Evert as the choreographer. Although a somewhat new concept, female show choirs; Debs went on to win every competition they competed in from 1988 through mid-1992, when they were defeated at Lawrence Central HS by Edgewood HS's Sophisticated Ladies. Throughout those years and years to come, The Debtones would begin to emerge as a leader, and innovator among women's show choirs. This also meant that the group began beating many mixed show choirs into finals competitions. In 1993, an exceptional performance year for the Debtones resulted in Sound System placing first and Debs second in the finals at Sullivan HS in Sullivan, IL.

The Fall of 1995 marked a new direction for The Debtones. Dan Andersen was hired as a new assistant director and Judy Meeks asked him to direct the Debtones. This was a hard decision, as Judy had created this ensemble, watched as it had changed and progressed through the years and now was passing it to a new director. Debs had a successful year, and placed second in the Women's Division at Showstoppers, their first time participating.

Mark Nevil was hired in the Fall of 1995 to replace Dan Andersen as the Assistant Choir Director and the director of The Debtones. The group overall was still highly competitive although was inconsistent in competition. However, The Debtones still placed among mixed groups in competitions throughout 1996, 1997 and 1998. In the spring of 1998 Mr. Nevil decided to move on to other professional endeavors and resigned as the Assistant Choral Director.

Misha Thomas, who had been the Assistant Choir Director at Center Grove Middle School was offered the position. Misha had been around the year prior as a chaperone on a trip Sound System and Debtones had taken. After accepting the position, she decided to hire a new choreographer for The Debtones, replacing Gail Steesma, who had been choreographing the group for three years. Chris Miller, the accompanist suggested that she call Christopher Pratt, a former student and member of Sound System, who was working on his degree in Music Education at Ball State. After a quick call to Christopher, it was agreed and he was hired in July of 1998 at the choreographer for The Debtones.

1999 brought a different style of show, and strong musicality under the direction of Misha Thomas. The highlight of the 1999 year was the group placing fourth overall at the Branson Show Choir Cup, just behind Sound System, who placed third. 2000 brought even better things. After a rocky first competition, The Debtones went undefeated the rest of the year and was the first Center Grove ensemble to travel to New York City for the Accent on the Arts performance event.

2001 brought an undefeated competition season, the first since 1992. The competition season was capped off with a trip to Chicago and a win at the Chicagoland Showcase. Unfortunately, at the conclusion of the school year, Mrs. Thomas announced her resignation to follow her husband Toby to Columbus, Ohio for a new job. This also, coincidentally meant that there was not a Director, nor Assistant Director for the upcoming year. This had never occurred. The hunt for a new Director for all the groups began immediately.

In late June 2001, Christopher Pratt, the choreographer for The Debtones and Choral Director at Danville High School in Danville, IL, was hired as the Choral Director at CGHS. In mid-July Laura Dyer, the Assistant Director at Anderson Eastside Middle School was hired to take the director position for The Debtones. Ms. Dyer asked Christopher Pratt to stay on as the choreographer for the group to help keep some consistency in the program.

In 2002, Debs had a successful year placing third in the overall competition at Show Choir Nationals and winning its Women's Division. In 2003, the group also traveled to Branson, to participate in the Show Choir Cup where they won the best Female Group Award. 2003 was an up and down year, several wins in the female division, but the group also placed third once and didn't make women's finals at North Central. At the end of 2003, Laura Dyer stepped down and accepted a job at Anderson Highland HS in Anderson, IN. In June of 2003, Michele Shetter was hired to take direction of the group.

Ms. Shetter, then assistant director at Warren Central HS and in charge of Hi-Lites began directing and choreographing The Debtones after being hired. As with any year of change, the Debs had some problems adjusting, but soon came to realize that they were in very capable hands. 2004 marked the first time in several years The Debtones went undefeated in their division. The group also traveled to Showstoppers in Orlando, Florida where they were named Women's Grand Champion Show Choir earning captions for Outstanding Music, Visual and General Effect. The Debtones were named Women's Grand Champion at Southmont High School in Crawfordsville, IN.

In 2006, Ms. Shetter resigns as Assistant Choral Director and Director of The Debtones.  Jennifer Dice, a former Franklin Central Director, was then hired in take her place.  The Debtones continue an undefeated season, taking the Grand Championship trophy for the 2006-2007 season at Southmont, Danville, Norwell, and Lawrence Central High School. 

Most recently the Debtones completed a perfect season in 2006-2007.  The 42 singer/dancers, 10 crew members, and 8 member band won the following awards: Southmont High School - Grand Champions; Danville High School - Grand Champions, Outstanding Vocals, Outstanding Choreography,  Outstanding Female Soloist - Julie Nussbaum, Outstanding Tech Crew; Norwell High School - Grand Champions, Outstanding Vocals, Outstanding Choreography; Lawrence Central - Grand Champions, Outstanding Vocals, Outstanding Choreography; Southwestern - Grand Champions; Showstoppers Orlando - Grand Champions, Outstanding Music, Outstanding Visuals, Outstanding General Effect.  The Debtones were under the direction of Jennifer Dice, assistant directors Marian Hart, Shelia Leachman, and John Skaggs and choreographed by Damon Brown and Andy Haines.