One class offered at Hays High that many students may not know about is Crafts for Leisure and Profit, taught by Hays High teacher Kelli Karlin.

“Crafts for Leisure and Profit is a class where students learn to knit and crochet,” Karlin said. “Students have made everything from scarves to sweaters to felted slippers. Some students have even designed their own stuff.”

According to Karlin, each student is required to do a community service project within the semester. The service can either be a premature hat for babies, a chemotherapy hat, or a lap blanket for the nursing homes. The funds for these projects are paid for by the grants that she writes to Midwest Energy.

While this class can be for the sole purpose of leisure, it also can be for profit.

“I’ve also had students who make money for the things that they make,” Karlin said. “Either way, it’s a fun class to take.”

Crafts for Leisure and Profit may seem like just an easy class, but it also has some work involved.

“The first couple classes are frustrating for students who’ve never done this kind of stuff,” Karlin said. “I’ve had tears and bad words and frustration with some students in the past. After they get the hang of it, then it’s fun and relaxing.”

16nvuong@usd489.com