A handmade quilt crafted by an Iola High School alumnus turned into quite a gift recently.
The quilt, courtesy of Jackie Robinson, who graduated with Iola’s class of 1962, was donated to the school this week by Iolan John Masterson, a classmate of Robinson’s.
The quilt project was three years in the making, featuring signatures of Iola’s classes of 1960 through 1962.
Reunion attendees signed the quilt at each of the last three class reunions when those respective classes returned for their 50-year reunions.
Robinson actually made up two quilts, Masterson explained. The first was the grand prize for a drawing among the reunion attendees. By selling chances for the quilt, the project generated $510, which was donated to the high school.
Incoming IHS Principal Stacey Fager said the money will go into an emergency student relief fund.
“We’ll occasionally get a student in dire need of a pair of shoes or gym shorts or whatever,” Fager said. “This donation sounds like a perfect fit.”
Fager intends to have a display case built for the quilt so it can be displayed for all to see in the office area at the high school, preferably by the time school resumes in August.
