Peter Meriwether, 7, in the gray shirt, along with his classmates from Kiley Shine’s first-grade class get to spray Silly String on Thursday, May11, at Mars Area Primary Center principal Jessica Semler as a reward for having the most registered students in the Kids Heart Challenge. Kim Schuelke’s morning kindergarten class also won the honor. Shane Potter/Butler Eagle

ADAMS TWP — Armed with cans of Silly String, two classes at the Mars Area Primary Center gathered around their defenseless principal Thursday, May 11, to celebrate helping raise over $20,000 for the American Heart Association.

Principal Jessica Semler told the little crowd that their classes won the opportunity to “Silly String” her for completing the “Principal’s Challenge” as part of the association’s Kids Heart Challenge fundraiser.

“Our goal was to raise funds, and, you know, our school broke a record this year — over $20,000 was raised,” Semler told the children. “And then we had our ‘Principal’s Challenge’ to see how many people could register to do Finn’s Mission and complete all of his little activities there.”

Kiley Shine’s first-grade class was top in its grade level with 25 students registered to complete the online fundraising and educational activities. Kim Schuelke’s morning kindergarten class was top of its level with 21 registered students.

“Give yourself a pat on the back, right now, because that was awesome,” Semler said.