KHS Monument Quilt Raffle

The KHS Memorial Committee recently held a raffle for a beautifully handmade Kenyon High School quilt. 

Congratulations to winner, Greg Canton!

Greg received an original quilt designed AND completed by Julie (Sahl) Huseth, KHS Class of 1970

Greg’s name was drawn at the Gunderson House during Kenyon Octoberfest on September 18th, 2021

All proceed will go to the construction/upkeep of the KHS Monument.

Quilt Winner

Memories of Kenyon High School Quilt

Designed and Completed by Julie (Sahl) Huseth, Class of 1970: 

The pattern for this quilt was originally a Craft Direct quilt pattern called, I LOVE MINNESOTA. Julie revised this pattern to fit the Memories of Kenyon High School quilt. There are fourteen blocks around the center. Each block represents something about Kenyon High School. We ope you enjoy this quilt, and reminiscing about your days at Kenyon High School.

BLOCK ONE: STRUCTURE

The Kenyon High School was built in 1915. It is an example of Greek Rival architecture for its features of red brick and mortar, double hung windows, white columns, white triangular pediment, white cornice, and a white oval egg model. 

The red in this block represents the red brick and mortal and the white represents the white columns, pediment, cornice, and egg molding that were part of the structure of the building.

In the mid 1800s the Greek Rival architecture was recommended for school buildings because this architecture is symbolic reflections of democratic ideals which promotes free education for all.

Quilt Block 1

BLOCK TWO: THE CLASSROOM

The gold in this block represents the desks. In 1915 a wooden desk was used. The bench and desk were all one unit. Throughout history other desks were used such as; a chrome desk with had a cubby hole for personal belongings, a plastic chair with chrome legs that was connected to a fiberboard tabletop, rectangular tables with two chairs, and triangular tables.

Quilt Block 2

BLOCK THREE: THE GYMNASIUM/AUDITORIUM

In 1939 a gymnasium/auditorium was added to the Kenyon High School building. It was a stage or a gym. This block reminds us of the big maroon drapes and the maroon boundary lines on the gym floor. In the 1960s this area was used as a stage for plays, concerts, and pepfests. Do you remember where the seniors sat?

 

Quilt Block 3

BLOCK FOUR: THE CAFETERIA

The star in this block represents the good meals that where served to the Kenyon High School students. They were pretty good. What meal entrees or food items do you remember being served when you went ot school? What was your favorite?

Do you remember going through the lunch line to pick up your food and proceeding to the table with bench seats or going to triangle tables pushed together? The square around the pinwheel represents deciding where to sit. Do you remember where you sat? What else do you remember about lunch time?

The hot lunch program started in 1939 for the country kids. The town kids had to go home for lunch. In 1943, Congress set aside $60 million to fund, expand, and sustain the school lunch program. In 1944 they allocated another $50 million. In 1949, the House Committee of agriculture stated there was a need to have a permanent legislative basis for a school lunch program, not year-by-year. This became law. The funding could be used for food, creating space for dining, and furnishing kitchen equipment. Through the years, laws and guidelines have changed. Food is need, as well as, good education to have a safe and thriving community. 

Block 4

BLOCK FIVE: THE LIBRARY

The red and white triangles in the border of this block represents the shelves in the library, and the center squares in the block represents the books.

Having a library in a school was not a norm. In fact, in 1953 only 36% of all public schools had a library and in 2019, 91% of all public schools had a school library.

Block 5

BLOCK SIX: TEACHERS/CLASSES/ACTIVITIES

Kenyon has always been recognized for its great educational school system. Many classes and activities were offered to the student body to help them find their gifts, develop their skills, and expand their leadership potential. 

The center star in this block represents the teachers that taught in Kenyon High School. There were many teachers. What teachers do you remember? What teacher influenced you the most?

The triangles in the corner of this block represent the academic, vocational, music, art, physical education class and the activities that were required and offered in Kenyon High School. What classes prepared you for your future? What activities did you join?

Block 6

BLOCK SEVEN: STUDENTS

This quilting block is called the friendship star. 

School is whree many students find their first friend. Some of these friendships last a lifetime. Usually students in school range from 5-18 years old. Now with preschool  they may start at 4 years old, and the maximum age being 21. Twenty-one needs to be the maximum age rather than eighteen for some students that may be held back, have special needs, and english learners.

When the school opened in 1915, not everyone went to high school. Many students went as far as eighth grade. As more and more high schools were built, the more and more students went beyond the eighth grade.

In 1915, nineteen students were in the senior class. In the mid-1960s to mid-1980s, there were around seventy students in the senior class. In 1990, the numbers dropped to 38 students in the senior class, which was the last Kenyon Vikings senior glass.

Block 7

BLOCK EIGHT: SPORTS

What is a school without sports?

This block represents sports teams forming a huddle for instruction; to create motivation and unity.

Sport teams have always been a part of the Kenyon High. What sports available has varied through the years, as well as the good sports records and the poor sports records. Kenyon High School sport participants have several times represented Kenyon at the state level.

BLOCK NINE: LOCKERS

Remember opening your lock, spinning the dial on way, and then another, and then back again?

This block represents spinning that dial just right to have your locker open. 

Each grade level had a certain area for their lockers. Do you remember where the senior lockers were? 

Block 9

BLOCK TEN: BUSING

The gold blocks with the gingham triangles represent homes. The X represents buses going in each direction to deliver the students to their home.

In Kenyon, school bus transportation started in 1939. Transportation to get to school may have been available before 1939, but it was most likely a horse and buggy carpool or an open truck. Some students did not have transportation opportunities before 1939, so they stayed in town during the week.

The busing service started with one or two routes and eventually grew to 14.

Block 10

BLOCK 11: GIRLS VS. BOYS SPORTS

The corner squares have two different colors. One represents girls sports and the other boys sports.

According to the Kenyon High School yearbooks, there was a girls basketball team from 1915-1923. 

In the 1970s, title nine gave the schools the responsibility to offer the same sport opportunities to girls as they offered to boys.

According to the yearbooks , back in 1972, track started for girls. In 1975 basketball, golf, and volleyball started for girls.In 1980, softball was added.

Block 11

BLOCK 12: THE ADDITION IN 1962

The center square represents the original building and the four corners represent the four areas that were added in 1962. Science, music, gymnasium and a shop for home economics.

In the 1960s through the 1980s, there was an increase of money allocated by the federal government of education to the vocational classes and the interest in those classes increased.

Block 12

BLOCK 13: AWARDS

The star in the middle of this block represents the students that were presented awards throughout the years.

Many educational departments gave awards to seniors ad the end of the school year.

Block 13

BLOCK 14: DEMOLITION

The triangles in this block represents the swirling demolition equipment.

Kenyon High School operated from 1915-1990. In 1990, Kenyon and Wanamingo school districts merged to create Kenyon-Wanamingo High School.

In 1997, the building was shut down due to asbestos and a new school had been built. 

Due to many circumstances, Kenyon High School became an eyesore, so in 2013 the school was torn down. The land was sold to First Lutheran Church. An alumni committee is planning and raising money for a memorial monument and part on a portion of this land.

Block 14