January 21, 2026 Local Stories in and Around St. Joseph, Illinois

Spartan Spotlight… Kendall Ayers

Kendall Ayers has plans to travel after graduating from high school.


The St. Joseph-Ogden senior plans to take a vacation out west before attending Parkland College in the fall. Ayers said he plans on participating in the Parkland Pathways program before transferring to the University of Illinois to major in computer engineering.


Despite looking forward to his trip, Ayers knows he will miss certain things about SJO.


The Royal resident, who participates in scholastic bowl, drama club and chorus, said his greatest memories of school are the day-to-day interactions.

Ayers said he will always remember going to All State Chorus at Olivet Nazarene University, which was a huge accomplishment. His favorite classes at SJO were physical education and chorus. His all-time favorite teachers are his fifth and sixth-grade teacher Mrs. Max, Mrs. Steffen, Mr. Kieffer, Mr. Beckett and Mr. Hess at SJO.


Ayers, who enjoys playing video games, singing and working on computers, also has a passion for geology.

He said he would tell future SJO students to “get their foot in the door and make an impression.”

in People
Banner
Related Posts

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

August 8, 2019

August 8, 2019

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

10 things you don’t know about me… Kelly Skinner

January 15, 2020

January 15, 2020

St. Joseph resident Kelly Skinner is opening her new business, Soul Care, today. The grand opening and ribbon cutting is...

10 things you don’t know about me… Jeff Damler

May 27, 2022

May 27, 2022

Jeff Damler, is the Senior Vice President, Loan Officer, Branch Manager at Longview Bank in St. Joseph. Here are 10...

Get to know to know SJO Senior Marching Band member Maya Hewkin

October 21, 2022

October 21, 2022

My favorite thing about marching band is the connection between the students. Being in band is like being a part...

‘I have absolutely loved portraying her’

April 3, 2022

April 3, 2022

Sophia McDade loves everything about the Addams Family production. The senior, who is acting in her second show with the...

10 things you don’t know about me… Tammy Vallee

June 15, 2020

June 15, 2020

My husband Troy and I will have been married 20 years this October and have three daughters – Jordyn, Macy...

10 things you don’t know about me… Jim Wagner

June 13, 2019

June 13, 2019

Every week we ask an area resident to share 10 things we don’t know about them—this week is St. Joseph...

Kids say…

June 17, 2019

June 17, 2019

Every week we ask five St. Joseph area students a question about farming. Today, five students from PVO South tell...

Wagners give back in a variety of ways

May 29, 2020

May 29, 2020

Jim and Jen Wagner like to help people. They have helped people through the pandemic at their business, Wagner Signs...

5 things you don’t know about me… Deklan Quinn

August 7, 2019

August 7, 2019

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

‘Being the first of anything comes with challenges, but also a lot of opportunity’

July 13, 2021

July 13, 2021

St. Joseph Village Administrator Joseph Hackney likes challenges. “Being the first of anything comes with challenges, but also a lot...

Get to know Scott Perkins

April 1, 2025

April 1, 2025

Scott is running for the St. Joseph Grade School Board. What motivated you to run for school board? I’ve been...

Fine arts student of the month… Kabriel Schuster

August 29, 2019

August 29, 2019

Each month a committee of teachers selects a fine arts student of the month from nominees from the drama, art...

Hartman makes finals of Project Run and Play.

April 14, 2022

April 14, 2022

St. Joseph resident Emily Hartman has made it to the last round of Project Run and Play. The project is...

Senior spotlight Eric Poe

February 7, 2020

February 7, 2020

Every week we ask a St. Joseph-Ogden senior five questions. This week we talked to Eric Poe. Thank you to...

Comments
Leave a Reply