At SEES: More Locks Of Love, Principal Kisses Pig

Students at South Edmonson Elementary were beside themselves this morning as their day started with a school-wide assembly to celebrate two very special occasions. The program began with Averie Hill, a kindergarten student, who decided to donate her long blonde hair to Locks of Love. She is the daughter of Chris and Wendy Hill of Chalybeate. 

When Averie was asked what made her choose to donate her hair she replied, "I just really wanted to help somebody." She was all smiles as she said how much fun it was to have her hair cut in front of the school. She also said she wanted to do it in the future. "I want to do it every time my hair grows back out," she said with a grin.

Averie's Mom, Wendy, cuts the long ponytail. (SEES)

Averie proudly displays her locks to be donated. (SEES)

Averie after she got a complete cut and style with Emily Ellis from The Springs Salon. (D.Doyle)

That excitement alone would probably have kept the students going all day long, but it only got better from there. Principal Jamie Woosley had promised his students that if they raised at least $2,000 for the "Hoops For Heart" program, he would kiss a live pig in front of the school. Students received pledges for the program which benefits the American Heart Association. The school exceeded their goal by raising over $2,500 for the event, causing the principal to pucker up, but not before he was plastered in lipstick by 4th grader Ty Brantley, the student who raised the most amount during the drive. 

"It's not everyday you have to kiss a pig...but for an event like this, to see how excited the kids get, it's well worth it," Woosley said. He went on to say that as great as it was to raise money for a worthy cause, it was also about students learning about the cause itself and what it does. When he was asked what he thought about the actual kiss, he reluctantly replied, "It was, uh...it was...great." He laughed as he said he was looking forward to the moment again next year.  

Darren Doyle, story and photos