Wanda Legako dedicated her career to education, so it shouldn’t be a surprise that she wanted that commitment to continue as a legacy.
She was one of 13 Legako siblings to graduate from Wellston High School and she returned to the family farm north of Wellston after she retired from a career as a teacher and coach.
She never married and, with no children of her own, would occasionally buy certificates of deposits and earmark them for her nieces and nephews, said Joseph Legako, one of her nephews and one of her two guardians.
Along with those was a certificate of deposit for Wellston schools.
After she passed on July 10, Joseph Legako called the school to tell Superintendent Mike Franz about the bequest.
Wanda left no instructions for how the money should be spent - only that $20,000 go to the high school and $10,000 to the elementary school. Franz said administrators are looking for an appropriate use.
“I visited with the principals a bit, but we haven’t decided exactly what that’s going to be,” said Franz. “We’re trying to figure out the best use so it will impact the most students. Maybe some things out front.”
Wanda graduated from Wellston High School in 1943
See additional photos on Page 2A.