| It was a gorgeous day. Our contestants gathered on the quad, eagerly awaiting the results. Dr. Jacobs reminisced that it had probably been about seven years since her last pig kiss. Hoagland and Potter seemed almost too at ease with swine handling. Coach Hicks was glad the Lady Jags had finished a good season, so they might not be so eager to throw votes his way. Lily Siu hoped the pig noticed the similarity with her name and his own, Sus domesticus, and would be kind. Missi Gouty wondered if the little guy, a runt, would pity her. Brad Weaver was glad to know that campus services does not include pig bathing (Hoagland handled that). Janet Redenbaugh mistakenly thought that professional attire would get her off the hook. Carla Boyd hid on the sidelines, Garrett behind a camera. And Downing knew his fate when he agreed to participate. The public had voted with their money throughout the week and now the moment was at hand: Which of our contestants had been selected for a swine smooch with Barry the Barrow? |  |
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to always start at the top! |
Dr. Jacobs demonstrated her magnificent leadership skills beforehand, befriending Barry. This really paid off later. |
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| Pi Omega Chapter President, Laurie Little, announced the surprise results. Apparently there was a four-way tie. At least there was when the chapter officers finished some unauthorized (honest!) last-minute voting! Mr. Downing would have company after all. | Barry was very well mannered and polite when Dr. Jacobs had the sense to be first in line. Barry remained calm and quiet. But then Craig Potter approached... |
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| Nobody is quite sure what Mr. Potter did to Barry. The kiss was too fast for the camera to catch. What IS known is that the poor piglet didn't stop squawking and kicking afterwards. What did you whisper in his ear, Craig? | Or perhaps it was Steve Downing's kiss that spooked the swine (have YOU ever seen a pig stand on its head?). Please note that the contestants were allowed to kiss whatever snout, forehead, OR CHEEK they preferred. Please also know that there were a lot of people on hand very eager, cash in hand, to be sure that Mr. Downing got up close and personal with that pig. |
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| Finally, always the romantic, Janet Redenbaugh
closed her eyes while planting a tender smooch on the other cheek, hoping
to soothe the
savage beast. |
Ahhhh, two of a kind! Pi Omega thanks Mr. Hoagland for arranging for Barry's arrival, bathing him, handling him during the event, and finding him a good home where he will live out the remainder of his life as a family pet. At least that is what we prefer to think. It is much better than the chapter luau Mr. Hoagland had suggested! |
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| We, of course, thank Barry
for his patience and participation.
Special thanks to Tracy Lorenzen and Lorenzen Farms, Chrisman, Illinois, for donating him for our event. |
We thank our 11 contestants, the crowd
that cheered us on, and all the voters who made donations to this great
cause. And we thank the American Cancer Society for their continued
efforts in fighting these horrible diseases.
All proceeds from this event go to the American Cancer Society as part of the donations raised by Team DACC-Phi Theta Kappa for the 2004 Relay For Life, May 22-23 in Ellsworth Park. We hope to see you there! |
