Shorn sheriff, pig smooch help raise JCHS funds for Samaritan Center

Pig kissing and sheriff shaving were features of the annual holiday assembly at Jefferson City High School this year.

The activities were part of a fundraising effort led by the Student Council to benefit the Samaritan Center. Others pledge their support to motivate giving.

If at least $500 dollars was raised, history teacher Marianne Ferris, incidentally a collector of pig paraphernalia, agreed to smooch a pink piglet.

For $1,000, the math department would put on a show and for $1,500, Cole County Sheriff Greg White agreed to go bald.

As the barber stood ready, White's last words were in answer to how he felt about losing all his hair.

"Nervous," he replied.

Then 40-year veteran of the business, barber Norman Luebbert, swiped the first stroke of the razor. Earlier, Luebbert was looking forward to performing in front of his biggest audience.

"It's all going to be gone," he said with a smile. "It'll just look like a 6 o'clock shadow."

During five collection days in November, the student body raised $2,255, which will be used to benefit at least 20 families.

Volunteer Executive Director Marylyn DeFeo accepted the check on behalf of the Samaritan Center and thanked the students.

"It's just amazing you stepped outside yourself," DeFeo said.

The song, "I'm Too Sexy" played and the spotlight shone as White's bald head was finally displayed. The students applauded and cheered.

Deputies from the sheriff department turned out to support White at the assembly, including Lt. Gary Hill who wanted to make sure White would go through with it.

White admitted to receiving some friendly teasing from his department, including a new nickname, "Buzz." But for him, the sacrifice was all worth it.

"The kids in Cole County are our greatest treasure. Anything I can do to support them is the right thing to do," said White.

"I'm proud to be a part of it."

Principal Richard Pemberton credited the hard work of the Student Council for helping inspire generosity in the entire school.

Class President Zach Porter, senior, said although they set the bar high, his faith in his fellow students never wavered.

"I knew we could do it," he said. "The high school definitely wanted to give back to the community."

cknott@newstribune.com

Norman Luebbert uses an electric razor to shave the head of Cole County Sheriff Greg White during a Thursday morning assembly at Jefferson City High School. (Julie Smith/News Tribune photo)