Pucker up: Leechburg teachers kiss pig as part of PTA fundraiser
Wherever Sully waddled, squeals of delight weren’t far behind.
Sully, a 6-month-old, black-and-white Kunekune pig from Gilpin, was the guest of honor Thursday at David Leech Elementary School.
“I love the pig!” one student shouted as Sully trotted by.
Sully’s visit was in honor of Pig Wars, a fundraiser sponsored by the PTA.
Now in its second year, Pig Wars challenges students from kindergarten through fifth grade to raise money to win a doughnut party for their classroom — and perhaps an even greater prize.
The class that raises the most money gets to watch their teacher kiss a pig.
“It’s a great way for our PTA to raise money for assemblies, for field trips and everything else, without really having to put a ton of effort into it,” Principal David Keibler said. “It’s something the kids love.”
Sully’s pig breed comes from New Zealand; Kunekune, pronounced KOO-nee KOO-nee, means “fat and round” in the native Maori language.
“It’s fat,” fifth-grader Zach Kubla said as the pig made its way through his classroom.
Sully’s owner is Shera Arner, who is Leechburg Area’s PTA president.
He lives in Gilpin with Arner, her husband and sons.
Arner’s son, Alvie Eshelman, said it’s fun to live with the pig.
“He sleeps in the bathroom,” Alvie said.
Arner got Sully from a farm in Burgettstown, Washington County.
He likes to sleep and scratch and gets along well with people.
“He’s a very loving pig,” Arner said.
He’s also a little directionally challenged. Mom had to bring him back after he wandered away, then guided him down the hallway once or twice.
“I don’t think he’s used to all this,” Arner said.
Students and teachers were excited to welcome and pet the pig — which was different than the one Arner brought last year.
“It’s cute,” first-grader Landon Horneman said of Sully.
For the first Pig Wars, Arner brought another pig, Brinley. Brinley was a potbellied and Kunekune mixed-breed pig.
Unfortunately, as Brinley grew older, her friendly demeanor changed, and she could no longer live with Arner’s family. She now lives on a farm close to Arner’s home.
“She works a lot better with other animals,” Arner said.
Kobe Stitt, another fifth-grader, liked Sully a lot. He said the pig was much nicer than the one his mother used to own.
“It’s definitely the nicest pig I’ve ever seen,” Kobe said.
Pig Wars raised about $800.
Donations were as small as 1 cent to as high as $20. Each classroom had a donation jar that students put their money in.
The money will be used for activities such as field trips and assemblies.
“Last year, we were able to donate a large chunk of money for the fifth grade to go on their first Gettysburg trip,” Arner said.
First place went to fourth-grade teacher Mary Deemer’s class. First-grade teacher Niva Vargo’s class came in second.
After the winner was announced, Deemer took off her jacket to reveal a white T-shirt bearing a pig with a lipstick kiss mark on its cheek.
The students cheered and clapped as she made her way across the auditorium stage.
“Kiss the pig!” they chanted emphatically.
Deemer obliged.
Much to the delight of the students, Vargo and Keibler did, too.
“The PTA funds 100% of our field trips. They do special teacher projects. They do a lot for our school,” Deemer said. “If I can just kiss a pig, that’s just one little thing I can do to help the kids and the PTA out.”
Arner said the PTA plans to make Pig Wars an annual event.
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