Slime time

COEUR d’ALENE — What's slimy, smiling and green all over?

Ramsey Magnet School of Science P.E. teacher Trena Burt and Principal Crystal Kubista after their top fundraising students dumped green goo all over them Friday afternoon.

"It's almost as exciting as watching a Zags game," Burt said, prior to getting slimed.

The 10 students who collected the most money for the Kids Heart Challenge gathered in the hallway outside the office, abuzz with anticipation as Kubista and Burt appeared wearing trash bags and goggles and sat on chairs arranged in kiddie pools to catch the slime.

Through the Kids Heart Challenge, Ramsey students raised more than $8,500 for the American Heart Association to fight cardiovascular disease.

Second-grader Kayla McClellan raised $548. As the second place winner, she helped dump a bucket of green on Kubista's head, then joined in a round of spraying Silly String all over the educators.

"I am just feeling so happy that I got to do it," Kayla said.

In first place was fifth-grader Isabella Taylor, who raised $652.22

"It was fun, just looking at how miserable they were," Isabella said with a grin. "But I didn't really want to do it just to slime them, I did it to help those who need the money that need heart things."

The campaign began Jan. 11 and the kids had until Feb. 5 to turn in their money.

"The whole school gets involved with class competitions; it truly is a whole school effort," Burt said.

After getting slimed, she and Kubista both shared their delight. Ramsey has been participating in this fundraising challenge for 22 years.

"I feel wonderful," Burt said afterward. "I feel like I've been slimed and stringed."