Eastshore Elementary principal makes good on a promise to students by kissing a live pig

“Kiss the pig! Kiss the pig!” chanted the crowd of Eastshore Elementary School students. Principal Lisa Kadam, being a woman of her word, obliged. 

That’s right. Principal Kadam puckered up for Cookie the Pig at a schoolwide assembly on Friday, weeks after promising to do so if Eastshore was able to generate at least $20,000 during its March 9 Jog-A-Thon. Students, staff and families did their part, raising nearly $21,000 at the event, which is the PTA's largest fundraiser. PTA member Cathie Rain, who co-chaired the Jog-A-Thon, came up with the idea of the pig-smooching incentive and successfully sold it to Kadam beforehand. After the school met its goal, Rain contacted the Norco-based Ham & Eggs Ranch about renting a live pig. That’s how Eastshore came to host Cookie, a 17-year-old pot-bellied sow that appeared even more pot-bellied than usual, and for good reason – she was pregnant. “She also has some really big teeth, which I was not expecting,” Kadam told the keyed-up crowd. Much to the delight of Eastshore’s students, Mrs. Kadam knelt down a few moments later and planted a kiss on Cookie’s snout. And for the benefit of those whose views’ were obscured, she followed up with a few more. "That wasn't so bad," she said afterward. From her students' perspective, that was an understatement. "I think the kids have been more excited about this than anything we've ever done," said Administrative Assistant Cecie Bertone. Update: The Orange County Register has posted a story on its website, along with photos and a video. You can access the entire pig-kissing multimedia experience by clicking here.