May 6, 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

5 Questions with Al Pearman

April 16, 2023

April 16, 2023

Al Pearman plays Ben in St. Joseph-Ogden’s “The Descendents”. We asked Al five questions before the final show today at...

SJO Fall Athletic Awards

November 15, 2019

November 15, 2019

CROSS COUNTRY-BOYS MOST VALUABLE-2019 – Brandon Mattsey MOST IMPROVED – 2019 – Logan Wolfersberger TIM MIES EFFORT AWARD-2019- Charlie Mabry...

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...

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 announces academic letter winners for the 2020-21 school year

October 12, 2021

October 12, 2021

Thanks to Appl Sanitary for sponsoring our honor rolls and academic awards posts. St. Joseph-Ogden High School hosted an Academic...

St. Joseph Middle School 5th grade high honor roll

November 14, 2023

November 14, 2023

FIRST NAME LAST NAME Ariela Adili Zoey Bird Cole Dietiker London Gallagher Cooper Graham Caleb Huckstadt Aubree Johnson Kendall Lubinski...

SJO Board to discuss basketball at November meeting

November 4, 2020

November 4, 2020

Basketball isn’t a sure thing at St. Joseph-Ogden High School this winter. The district will have to decide whether to...

St. Joseph Middle School 7th grade honor roll

November 14, 2023

November 14, 2023

FIRST NAME LAST NAME Ramsay Arnold Henry Beeler Adam Bello Teagan Blacker Bailey Blakley Nora Buckley Grant Clark Logan Crider...

School making changes to parking lot availability

July 4, 2024

July 4, 2024

St. Joseph Grade School is making some changes to the availability of its parking lot. The district recently placed letters...

SJO FFA holds petting zoo

February 21, 2019

February 21, 2019

An annual tradition is taking place at St. Joseph-Ogden High School today—the SJO FFA petting zoo to celebrate National FFA...

St. Joseph Middle School 8th grade Honor Roll

November 14, 2023

November 14, 2023

FIRST NAME LAST NAME Kira Aase Miles Atwood Lucas Barton Coleton Beckett Draven Black Blake Cavanaugh Hunter Cler Alivia Combs...

A familiar face to lead PVO

February 25, 2019

February 25, 2019

Jeffrey Isenhower will start a new job on July 1, 2020. He will take over the Prairieview-Ogden superintendent for Vic...

Live at SJO school board

September 23, 2019

September 23, 2019

We are here at SJO school board. They are discussing the insurance group they belong to and their options. An...

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,...

Comments
Leave a Reply