Getting Up Close and Porcine-all for Literacy

“Kiss the pig! Kiss the pig!” the Tustin schoolchildren chanted.

What had she gotten herself into? thought Guin Foss Elementary School Principal Liz Friedrich. But she had made a promise, and she intended to keep it. If students would commit to reading at least 15 minutes after school each day for a year, Friedrich said, she’d pucker up to Zorro the potbellied pig.

So Friedrich had no choice Friday but to dab on some hot pink lipstick, said to be Zorro’s favorite color. She followed that with some mouthwash because Zorro deserved nothing less. And then, the countdown began: “3, 2, 1 . . .”

Friedrich edged forward, hesitating ever so slightly, offered up a quick kiss and then quickly retreated. That wasn’t so bad, Friedrich thought. But the schoolchildren would not let her get away so easily. The second time around, Zorro would not be so lucky. Nor would Friedrich.

Eyes wide open, the pig trembled as Friedrich once again dragged forward, her lips planting pink on his moist snout as the 6-month-old piglet squealed and shrieked and shied away.

The idea to kiss a pig if the Home Reading Club met its daily reading goals was the brainchild of Carolyn Griffith, parent of 7-year-old student Daniel.

“I honestly think she would walk over burning coals for these kids,” Griffith said of Friedrich. “She’d do anything. I love her wonderful enthusiasm, her dedication to the school.”

Participation was weak during last year’s reading club at the north Tustin school, even though awards such as a picnic and extra recess awaited, Griffith said. So this year, there had to be an extra incentive. Zorro did the trick.