Principal kisses pig as kids pass fundraising goal

Principal Mike Long at Rio Vista Elementary in Cathedral City kept his end of a bet – if the kids could raise more than $10,000 at their Jog-a-Thon, he would kiss a pig. They raised $22,000.

Monday, in front of the entire school, he kissed one-year-old pot-bellied pig Vicky. Four times.

“It was black and really big and it was really fat,” described second grader Makayla Perkins.

The Parent-Teacher Association at Rio Vista had initially proposed kissing a snake, but Long said he drew the line there.

“Over the weekend I got a little nervous about it,” said Long, “I was picturing a bigger pig, but Vicky was a very sweet pig. It wasn’t that bad.”

Vicky was brought in by a handler at the Mobile Zoo of Southern California. Vicky’s tail was wagging quite a bit, which means she enjoyed the attention and affection.

While it was a good incentive, Long said the promotion and dedication of the Jog-a-Thon participants was key for its success.

The money will be used in the classrooms for books and supplies.