BREA : School Will Hold Jog-A-Thon Today

Students at Fanning Elementary will be jogging as many laps around the school’s soccer field as they can as part of a fund-raiser today.

Principal Dave Biniasz has promised to shave off the mustache he has worn for 16 years at a November assembly if they manage to raise $25,000 during the school’s ninth annual Jog-A-Thon.

The feat is more than possible, according to Peggy Thomas, chairwoman of the event. Students raised $28,000 last year and she expects more than $25,000 will be collected from people who have pledged to back the runners at this year’s event.

Posters that read “Bring in the cash to shave the mustache off Mr. Biniasz” have been hanging in classrooms to motivate the pupils, Biniasz said.

“It’ll be hilarious,” said Laura Thatcher, 11, who has collected $242 in pledges for her planned jog.

Biniasz, who became Fanning’s principal this year, said he is ready to bid farewell to his mustache. “I figure hey, it’ll grow back,” he said.

His predecessor, Tim Harvey, kissed a pig at last year’s Jog-A-Thon and in the past, others had pies thrown in their faces or were dunked in water tanks as part of what has become a yearly humiliation ritual for principals.

The money raised from the Jog-A-Thon will pay for field trips, playground equipment and instructional materials at the school.