Principal Emmert dyed his hair pink and kissed the pig.

SOUTH WHITLEY — The challenge was presented to students in November to participate in a fundraiser for South Whitley Elementary to sell an overwhelming amount of Rise’ n Roll pastries, and if successful, Principal Bryan Emmert and Guidance Counselor Nate Wessels vowed they would dye their hair and kiss a pig. Wednesday afternoon they made good on that promise, as students had blown the original fundraiser goals out of the water.

“The South Whitley Elementary students did a fantastic job with our Rise’ n Roll fundraiser,” said Emmert. “I know when I set our goal at 200 dozen donuts, 100 dozen cookies and 40 pies I was just hoping we would reach that. After the orders came in at over 700 donuts, 600 cookies, and 454 pies were ordered, I was so excited! Thank you to our students, staff, and parent volunteers for all of their hard work.”

Overall, the students sold approximately $19,000 worth of product. From those sales made by the students, the school received around $9,000 in funds raised. Principal Emmert shared that the funds will go toward “student activities, field trips, the roller skating group Skate Time, and some special things for the future.”

In addition to the goals set, students also raised $90 in loose change for the school. The students were able to cast votes for who they would prefer to see dye their hair or kiss the pig, but in the end, Emmert and Wessels both chose to dye their hair and kiss the pig.

The pig was provided by the Schipper family from the local South Whitley Community. The celebration culminated with Christmas carols and performances by each grade at SWE on the last day before their Christmas break.