Perhaps the better question is, would you kiss a pig if it motivated your students to participate in a food drive?

Kylie Harris, Sheffield Area Elementary School principal, did just that on the final day of school before the holiday break.

Organized by second grade teacher Kristine Conn, the 12 Days of Christmas food drive entered its fifth year with the goal of 1,250 pieces of food that would be donated to the Sheffield Food Pantry. Sheffield students were able to meet the goal amount that will go on to feed between 65 and 75 families within the Sheffield area.

“During the time we have been participating in the drive, I have communicated frequently with the Sheffield Field Pantry, and have learned that needs are often seasonal in nature, and different supplies are needed during different times,” Conn said. “The holidays of Thanksgiving and Christmas are the great times of need for Sheffield and the surrounding communities. From that, the idea of the ’12 Days of Christmas’ was born.”

Sheffield Area Elementary School Principal Kylie Harris gets to kiss a pig after students successfully reached their 12 Days of Christmas food drive goal.

By reaching their goal, students also put their principal in a position to either kiss a puppy or a pig, and naturally, chants of, “kiss the pig,” were heard immediately after students gathered outside Friday afternoon.

“We knew that the students needed an incentive — something to work for,” Conn said. “We asked our principal, Mrs. Harris, if she would be willing to ‘let the students do something silly to her,’ like tape her to the wall or pie her in the face if they met their goal. Unsurprisingly, she said ‘Whatever you need, count me in.’ We considered the options, but those prior ideas didn’t seem like a mighty enough goal for this challenge.

“Instead, we found the Chapman’s beautiful puppy and the Heeters’ adorable pig, and we thought, ‘Why not have her kiss one? Why not let the students choose?”

In the two weeks leading up to the inevitable kiss day, students would take the opportunity in the hallway to let their principal know their choice, with pro-pig students boisterously stating, “You’re going to kiss a pig,” while the puppy crowd would quietly reassure Harris with subtle chants of, “Puppy, puppy, puppy.”

Despite the nerves, Harris kept good on her promise.

“Whatever it takes for our kids,” said Harris. “Anyone who knows me would say, Kylie would do whatever it takes for her kids. They’re so excited. It’s been so fun seeing them get so excited for this, and their joy. It’s really made the holiday very fun and for a very good reason, so count me in.”

Harris also credited Conn for her dedication to the annual project that has not only provided much needed food but also an education for students to understand why and where the food is going.

“I understand that it’s a tradition for the school,” Harris said. “It truly is amazing to see the volume of food that has been raised. The kids bringing it in, their excitement, and understanding what they’re doing. They understand that they’re bringing in something to share with others. She (Conn) has put in a lot of time and a lot of effort, and many many hours into organizing it. She’s brought a lot of excitement into the kids as well.”

Along with the students, Harris, and Conn, the Sheffield Area Middle-Senior High School cheerleaders led by head coach Melissa Bullock, as well as the Sheffield Area Elementary School P.T.O. in addition to staff members all played a role in the 12 Days of Christmas food drive being successful, including counting, packing, and delivering food, as well as motivation and encouragement.

“It’s an amazing community truly,” Harris said of the group effort. “I believe whole-heartedly in service. There’s so much that goes into school than just education. As a society we don’t understand everything that goes into a school day, but we’re bringing up small humans, right? We’re raising them.

“We’re teaching them values that are going to carry with them for life. With projects like this we’re teaching to have an eye out for others in need, and to give something back and to pay it forward. We’re also teaching that if you come upon a hard time, there are people who are going to help you. There is a community. There are supports that are available.

“Life changes in a minute and you never know when you might be someone who has a need at that time. In addition to teaching them about giving, we’re also teaching them about receiving, and the supports that are available in our community if they ever need it.”