January 1, 2026 Local Stories in and Around St. Joseph, Illinois

Harper finds positive outlet in music

St. Joseph-Ogden sophomore Lauren Harper loves to sing.

That is why she loves the choir.


“It’s basically the time where I get to de-stress and do what I love,” she said. “I also love the people there.”


Harper was named Fine Arts Student of the Month and was nominated by band director Chuck Hess.


Hess said Harper is a team-player.


“She always exhibits a great attitude,” he said.


Harper said she is looking into attending Illinois State University where she plans on studying music or becoming a theater director for high school programs.


Harper said being a fine arts student at SJO is great because of the family atmosphere.


“I cannot stress enough how much of a family we are,” she said. “We all support and lift each other up.”


Harper only joined the band this year, which she said was an adjustment.
“Entering a program in the middle of your high school career is hard,” she said. “I’ve been in fine arts before but never high school band. It has been a struggle getting used to it, but so worth it.”


Harper said she was honored to be chosen as Fine Arts Student of the Month during her first year in band.


“It feels awesome knowing that I have made a positive impact,” she said.

in Schools
Banner
Related Posts

Sign ‘em up: SJO, Wagners help recognize high school seniors during pandemic

April 17, 2020

April 17, 2020

St. Joseph-Ogden High School senior Jordan Stiverson received a surprise when he looked out his window on Tuesday. SJO Principal...

SJO announces Illinois State Scholars

December 15, 2023

December 15, 2023

Fifteen St. Joseph-Ogden students have been named Illinois State Scholars. The State Scholar Program publicly and personally identifies graduating high...

Grade school collecting items for food pantry

January 28, 2020

January 28, 2020

The students at St. Joseph Grade School are doing more than celebrating their 100th day of school—they are helping their...

Donation could change the face of sports and activities at SJO

February 16, 2021

February 16, 2021

An anonymous donor has made St. Joseph-Ogden High School an offer they couldn’t refuse. And because of it, SJO athletic...

St. Joseph Grade School to stay on hybrid schedule through end of school year

March 11, 2021

March 11, 2021

St. Joseph Grade School Superintendent Todd Pence said he is recommending the grade school and middle school keep their hybrid...

SJO honors night recipients announced

May 27, 2019

May 27, 2019

The following students were honored in mid-May by St. Joseph-Ogden High School during the high school honors night. • EIU...

St. Joseph Middle School 6th grade honor roll

June 7, 2023

June 7, 2023

LAST NAME FIRST NAME Arnold Ramsay Barnett Callie Beeler Henry Bello Adam Blacker Teagan Blakley Bailey Brown Tabbitha Butts Logen...

Live at SJO school board, January 23, 2023

January 23, 2023

January 23, 2023

I am here until 8 p.m cause Matt has to go back into work. They are discussing sports field placement...

SJO Third Quarter Honor Roll

March 30, 2021

March 30, 2021

FreshmenArmstrong, AdenBott, MyaBuss, TylerDenhart, GarrettFrasca, JosephHayes, JayciLannert, LaurenMaroon, CarsonMcBride, SethMcMahon, ShannonSantiago, DanielWard, ElissiaWilson, Spencer SophomoresActon, AlyssaAlwes, CanyonBurch, TaylorCarter, PaytonChatterton, GwenCollins,...

St. Joseph Middle School 7th grade high honor roll

June 7, 2023

June 7, 2023

LAST NAME FIRST NAME Bronowski Ava Carter Liam Clark Patrick Coffey Carly Dietiker Avarie Dirksmeyer Ainsley Divan Trey Eaton Connor...

SJO first quarter honor roll

November 14, 2023

November 14, 2023

Freshman Acosta-Reyes, YadielAlbrecht, SamuelCastro Gutierrez, BrendaEnnis, JamesonGaines, LeahGarrett, ElijahGeorge, GunnarHuls, MorganHundley, AidenIkemire, BrynnJackson, FaithJones, WaylonLewis, JaydonLyttle, AvriannaPalmer, TrippWarns, ShelbyWright, CameronWright,...

St. Joseph middle school 8th grade high honor roll

June 7, 2023

June 7, 2023

LAST NAME FIRST NAME Ahart Lillian Benoit Zachary Burnett Colin Clark Elizabeth Crider Abigail Dahl Hayden Davis Iris Downs Justin...

5 questions with Mallory Wagner

April 16, 2023

April 16, 2023

Mallory Wagner plays Jay in St. Joseph-Ogden’s “The Descendents”. We asked Mallory five questions before the final show today at...

Daniels named Fine Arts Student of the Month

January 30, 2019

January 30, 2019

Emmy Daniels loves to create beautiful music. That’s why she loves chorus. “It is an opportunity to come together and...

Live at SJO school board, August 22, 2022

August 22, 2022

August 22, 2022

I am here at school board! Greg Smith has volunteered to drive extracurricular. There’s a super long list of personnel...

Comments
Leave a Reply