April 10, 2026 Local Stories in and Around St. Joseph, Illinois

Upcoming SJO graduate Lewis ‘excited’ to take next step at University of Kentucky

Hannah Lewis always wanted to go to college out of state.


She traveled to Alabama and Florida trying to find the perfect fit.


She found it four and a half hours away from St. Joseph, in Lexington, Ky.


“After visiting six other universities, I knew that I loved the campus and the opportunities that the University of Kentucky had to offer,” Lewis said.


Lewis will be majoring in Human-Health Sciences, which is pre-medical studies.


Lewis said after visiting a number of campuses, it was easy to decide which ones to apply to. The tough part of actually choosing which one she would attend came later.


Lewis was accepted to all of her favorite universities.


“I really had to decide what school I would be happiest at,” she said. “The University of Kentucky had everything I was looking for.”


The University of Kentucky was the first school that Lewis applied to. However, other schools sent her acceptance letters in a more timely fashion.


“I got anxious,” Lewis said.


She took matters into her own hands, went online to check her application status and was relieved to see a big, blue “congratulations” appear on the screen.


“I yelled for my parents and texted my friends about the news,” Lewis said. “I was very excited.”


Lewis said her parents were happy she decided to attend the University of Kentucky and even happier it was relatively close to St. Joseph.


“They are also excited for me to take the next step in my life,” Lewis said. “They were proud that I decided to leave the area for college, too.”


Despite looking to the future, Lewis is also taking a moment to reflect on her time at St. Joseph-Ogden High School.


She said she will miss the amazing community she grew up in and her favorite teachers at SJO. 


From being a stat girl for the football team, taking part in the We the People competition and playing softball, Lewis has numerous great memories from her time as a Spartan.


“My favorite memory from SJO would have to be being a stat girl for the football team,” she said. “I loved the atmosphere and getting to be on the sidelines to watch my favorite sport was unforgettable.”


Lewis said SJO has taught her to take advantage of all the opportunities presented to you.


“Even if it may be a little out of your comfort zone,” she said, “it will be worth it in the end.”


Lewis, who will be speaking at graduation on Sunday afternoon, said she is looking forward to seeing all her classmates and teachers in one place for the last time.


“It will be sad,” she said, “but exciting at the same time.”

in People
Banner
Related Posts

Get to know Steve Peters

March 25, 2025

March 25, 2025

Steve is running for the St. Joseph Village Board. What is the best thing about St. Joseph? I have been...

How I get it done …. with Jennifer Huls Wayland

October 14, 2022

October 14, 2022

We asked local business owners to describe their leadership style and how they make decisions. This week we talked to...

10 things you don’t know about me… Brad Krall

February 20, 2019

February 20, 2019

Every week we ask an area resident to share 10 interesting facts about themselves. This week it is Brad Krall,...

10 things you don’t know about me… Dina Fox

June 5, 2019

June 5, 2019

My husband, Kerry, and I met when I was 18 years old in the middle of a snow storm.  We’ve...

Village hires administrator

June 24, 2021

June 24, 2021

The Village of St. Joseph has its administrator.During its June 22 meeting the village board voted to hire Joseph Hackney....

5 things you don’t know about me… Will Rubach

August 8, 2019

August 8, 2019

Will is in the running for the title of Little Prince! He is six years old. We asked him to...

More than a coach: SJO to honor Duval with field dedication ceremony Friday night

August 19, 2021

August 19, 2021

An educator. A coach. A friend. A husband. A father. A community icon. On Friday night the community and high...

Senior Spotlight with Payton Cain

December 12, 2019

December 12, 2019

Every week we ask a St. Joseph-Ogden senior five questions. This week we spoke with Payton Cain. What do you...

10 Things You Don’t Know about me Nikki Setterdahl

December 8, 2020

December 8, 2020

For years, Nikki Setterdahl and her daughter Whitney have been bringing joy to teens at Barnes-Jewish Hospital through their project...

SJO makes graduation plans for June

May 1, 2020

May 1, 2020

St. Joseph-Ogden High School is making plans for graduation to honor the Class of 2020. In a letter sent to...

Foundation created to honor Oberheim

June 9, 2021

June 9, 2021

The family of Police Officer Chris Oberheim is working to develop a not-for-profit foundation. The foundation name was announced Tuesday...

Passion for fitness inspires Hixson’s JustBfit class

September 17, 2019

September 17, 2019

Brenda Hixson likes to help people be fit. Hixson created a fitness program that meets at St. Joseph Grade School...

5 Questions with Cohen Sands

January 26, 2023

January 26, 2023

We asked the members of the Heritage Bass Chorus five questions. Here are Cohen Sands answers. What does it mean...

St. Joseph Automotive looks to pay it forward with coat drive

December 18, 2019

December 18, 2019

Casey Phillips recognized there was a need in St. Joseph and she wanted to do something about it. The co-owner...

Senior Spotlight… Ally Monk

January 29, 2020

January 29, 2020

What are your plans after you graduate from St. Joseph-Ogden? After graduation, I plan on attending the University of Missouri...

Comments
Leave a Reply