Often times, Neveln Elementary School students are greeted by Principal David Wolff while heading to class.

Monday morning was no different — except Wolff was a little tied up.

Duct-taped to the wall, Wolff was nothing but smiles as he said hello to passing students who either giggled or took a picture with their principal. All of this was a prize for the students after raising more than $1,000 to purchase a mascot costume for their school.

“It’s very uncomfortable,” Wolff said with a grin. “But, we’re having fun.”

Part of that prize included duct-taping various faculty members to the wall and for the winning grade to pose for a picture with their chosen teacher. Wolff was chosen as the lucky man to initiate the activity.

Student Council members said it took around eight rolls of duct tape to have Wolff stick to the wall. Other staff members lined up to be taped to the wall over the course of the week include Eric Kossoris, Josh McRae, Clint Phillips, Erik LaRock and Ryan Schwenn.

Student Council members Mariah Fett, Haley List, Leah Pischke and Izzy Wiese said the idea to tape their teachers to the wall was something that could raise some school spirit, while raising money for a mascot costume.

“We were looking for something funny to do,” Pischke said. “They had to raise money to a certain level in order to get a specific teacher taped to the wall.”

Student Council adviser Jennifer Duley said her students spent a lot of Fridays selling popcorn to earn money for the mascot costume. During the last five years she worked at Neveln, Duley said the school didn’t have a mascot; the new one will make appearances at a variety of sporting events and school functions.

“We’re wanting to encourage the Neveln community to collaborate, to unite and to bring us more together,” she said. “Since we raised more than $1,000, our PTO will be matching funds to put toward our school mascot costume.”

Each grade had to raise money in a competition of sorts in order to get the chance to be photographed with their taped principal or teacher. While some staff members were a little hesitant at first, they eventually volunteered to get themselves on the wall.

“We had popcorn sales every Friday,” Fett said. “We were so excited that we got to do it. Teachers were really nervous, but Mr. Wolff said they ‘had to do it, no matter what.’”

By the end of the year, Neveln should be receiving their mascot costume as the result of their fundraising efforts.

“This is a new experience for our students,” Duley said. “They’re able to see visually what they’re getting from their fundraising. …this student council is awesome.”