Students participate in Quilts of Honor project

According to Fisher, who graduated with an FCS degree, 26 quilts will be presented to vets. Eleven were donated from the non-profit organization, Quilts of Honor based in California and 13 were made over the past few months by local CSC, 4-H and church volunteers.

Fisher said she researched possible connections to make the program a reality and discovered Gail Belmont, the founder of Quilts of Honor. The two stayed in contact and Fisher said she was pleasantly pleased by the support she received from Belmont who has been honored by the White House for her work honoring Vietnam Veterans with quilts.

Students in Moody’s Alteration and Construction class (FCS 135/135L) created one quilt top and Monique Jensen of Alliance created another. The other class members are: Karli Ferry of Osmond, Neb., Ashley Heelan of Lewellen, Neb., Shanie Hollenbeck of Estilline, S.D., Amanda Kolen of Chadron, Mickenzi Loyd of Big Piney, Wyo., Kyla Monie of Arapahoe, Neb., Christina Morris of Juneau, Alaska, Courtney Smith of Hampton, Neb., and Jade Spring of Custer, S.D.

Moody said the students’ group design planning phase included about two hours and the stitching took more than 20 hours.

“We will complete the quilts with hand stitched binding. That will add a collective 10 to 20 hours, as well. The skills and collaborative process of building a quilt for this service learning project, plus co-curricular involvement with community members and being part of the larger national program, is both rewarding and inspirational to my students,” Moody said.

ROTC cadets enrolled at CSC will provide the Color Guard for the ceremony and assist with seating and other facets of the ceremony, according to Lt. Nate Reicks.