Waukesha Principal Sprayed With Slime 98 Times For Fundraiser

WAUKESHA, WI — A Waukesha principal took 91 pies to the face last year. This year, she danced around the school in an inflatable chicken suit and camped overnight at the school.

That would be enough for any educator.

But not Banting Elementary School Principal Mary Garcia-Velez, who is known never to turn away from a school-related challenge. On Wednesday, she agreed to be slimed 98 times.

It was for a fundraiser the PTO put on for the school. The majority of the money raised will be used to replace old playground equipment

Banting Elementary's PTO-sponsored Ninja Challenge is a two-week-long online fundraiser that concludes with students getting the opportunity to take part in a fun, healthy obstacle course during gym class.

The Ninja Challenge raised more than $21,000 – 40 percent above its goal – thanks to the enthusiastic school culture, fostered by Garcia-Velez.

“Mary is an exceptionally dedicated leader whose contagious excitement makes a huge difference for a fundraiser like this,” said PTO President Jessica L. Gonzalez. “The kids see her having fun and naturally want to be a part of it. The sense of community and school spirit the Ninja Challenge has inspired is incredible."

Kids brought in their own money, emptying piggy banks and selling their toys, to get a new playground, Gonzalez said. The 98 students who raised $100 or more through the Ninja Challenge got to spray slime at Garcia-Velez.

"Get A Good Slime On Her"

First in line was third-grade student Alex Vega, who raised $1,337 by selling a number of his prized WWE toys online.

Vega was decked out in his bacon-and-egg pajamas, an extra incentive for hitting his goal.

The third-grader told reporters he was excited about having a new playground at the school. "There were some toys I didn't want and sold them on Ebay. Some people donated without buying the toys," he said.

Vega felt bad about spraying Garcia-Velez, whom he described as very nice. Nevertheless, hje promised "either way to get a good slime on her."

"She is going to get messy," he said. "She will have to wash those clothes, like, five times."

His advice to his principal was to cover eyes in case the slime stung.

The slime was thge "Nickelodeon version: apple sauce, vanilla pudding and water," Gonzalez said. She reassured concerned onlookers it tasted good. She had a bucket full of "blasters" for kids to spray the slime about 6 feet away from Garcia-Velez.

A New Playground

Funds from the Ninja Challenge will replace old playground equipment. The rest will support projects to enhance the learning environment at Banting, such as field trips, teacher requests and schoolwide events.

Through two Ninja Challenge fundraisers and grants and other gifts from the community, the Banting PTO raised $74,000 toward new playground equipment.

Two new structures are planned for the Banting playground, including an obstacle course and a large play structure. The school met its “stretch goal” of $20,000 this year, so students will have the opportunity to vote on an additional smaller piece for the playground.

When the school reached its $15,000 goal, Garcia-Velez made good on her promise to camp out at the school. Students were able to submit suggestions for what she should do during her evening, and a portion of her night was livestreamed on YouTube for students.

It included a tour of her sleeping quarters, playing H.O.R.S.E. with the custodian, making s’mores outside her office, reading bedtime stories and introducing her night companions, daughter Sofi and dog Fenway.