March 18, 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

Senior spotlight: Chloe Duckett

May 16, 2019

May 16, 2019

Leading up to graduation, we asked five seniors five questions. Next up is Chloe Duckett! What will you be doing...

10 things you don’t know about me… Allison Wakefield

August 18, 2022

August 18, 2022

What is your favorite place to travel to? Pennsylvania What is a TV show/movie you can watch over and over?...

Talk of the Town… Jim and Jen Wagner

August 6, 2019

August 6, 2019

Every week we ask a village resident or official three questions. This week we spoke to Jim and Jen Wagner...

Family hoping for a miracle

January 22, 2019

January 22, 2019

Angelique and Cole Rosnett have been faced with an unimaginable choice. To save their daughter Ivy they may have to...

Senior spotlight… Luke Cohen

October 22, 2019

October 22, 2019

Every week we ask a senior five questions. This week we talked to Luke Cohen. What do you want to...

Benefit to be held for Fisher family

March 18, 2019

March 18, 2019

Next Saturday the St. Joseph IGA and Wagner Signs and Graphics are coming together for a good cause. From 7...

‘Nadirah knew that growing up in St. Joe was just the beginning of her journey through the world’

December 9, 2020

December 9, 2020

Nadirah Edwards left an impression on everyone who met her. Whether it was her kind smile and brilliance at a...

Talk of the Town with SJO Superintendent Brian Brooks

May 9, 2019

May 9, 2019

Every week we ask a village mayor, school superintendent or board member three questions. This week we talked to St....

Kids’ recycling project leads to three new benches at local parks

September 11, 2019

September 11, 2019

The residents of St. Joseph will have three new benches to sit on. The village has bought three benches for...

Remembering Ross Booker: ‘We are missing something special now that he’s gone’

March 8, 2022

March 8, 2022

Before responding to an accident that would ultimately claim his life, Ross Booker made a point to roll down the...

Senior Spotlight with Jordan Stiverson

October 2, 2019

October 2, 2019

Every week we ask an SJO senior five questions. This week we spoke to Jordan Stiverson. 1. What is the...

Senior spotlight… Lindsey Aden

January 2, 2020

January 2, 2020

What are your plans after high school? I hope to attend Stanford University to double major in political science and...

Generous family man Fisher suffering from major health issue

January 24, 2019

January 24, 2019

Luke Fisher likes to solve problems. The assistant public works superintendent does everything from work at the sewer plant to...

10 things you don’t know about me… Cindy Berry-Rajlich

September 11, 2019

September 11, 2019

Every week we ask an area resident to give us 10 facts about themselves. This week we talked to Cindy...

Get to know Holly Clingan

March 25, 2025

March 25, 2025

Can you please provide some biographical information? I am Holly Clingan, and I’ve been a homeowner in St. Joseph for...

Comments
Leave a Reply