Principal puckers up for piglet

Sam Houston Elementary Principal Julie Walker said she'd do anything if her students would meet their fund-raising goal.
Well, almost anything.
"I told them I'd do anything except sleep outside or do anything to my hair," Walker said.
And when the fundraiser sponsored by the Parent-Teacher Organization went well, Walker had to eat her words.
Or, at least, kiss them.
Grade by grade, excited students filed into the school's gym to watch their principal pucker up for a baby pig.
"Yeah!" the children screamed almost in unison as Walker laid her lips on the farm animal Friday morning.
But it was a reward for raising more than $23,000 for the parent-teacher organization, funds for which are directed to helping with teacher supplies and upgrading playground equipment, PTO President William Glover said.
"Kissing the pig was a motivator for students," Glover said.
Students received a variety of prizes, including a movie day with popcorn donated by the Roxy Theater, a visit from a party bus, an ice cream party provided by O'Charley's and other prizes.
Glover said the PTO fundraiser – selling items such as candles, cookie and brownie dough and coffee – conjured up about $7,000 more this year than last.
The top 10 students even got a limousine ride to Mt. Juliet to eat at Logan's Roadhouse.
Glover admitted he feared Walker might seek some sort of reprisal.
"I didn't know what she'd want me to do, so this will give her time to think about what she wants me to do next year," Glover said. "But we were really excited about what we were able to sell."
Staff Writer Jason Cox can be reached at 444-3952 ext. 45 or by e-mail at jason.cox@lebanondemocrat.com.