March 9, 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

Longview Bank helps area schools

July 15, 2020

July 15, 2020

Longview Bank is helping local schools. The bank donated $2,500 to eight school districts. Shiloh, Villa Grove, Unity, Heritage, St....

SJO student creates program to help the food insecure

December 23, 2021

December 23, 2021

Kirsten Schaefer wants to help feed her neighbors. Schaefer, a junior at St. Joseph-Ogden High School, created the Feeding Your...

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...

Senior spotlight.. Bailey Dowling

August 13, 2019

August 13, 2019

Every week we ask an SJO senior five questions. This week we spoke to Bailey Dowling. What do you want...

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...

10 things you don’t know about me… Jeff Van Buskirk

October 7, 2020

October 7, 2020

What is your favorite childhood memory?I took guitar lessons when I was in 4th or 5th grade and did not...

10 things you don’t know about me… Angela O’Brien Page

August 26, 2019

August 26, 2019

Every week we ask an area resident to share 10 facts about themselves. This week we asked Angela O’Brien Page....

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...

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...

St. Joseph man peacefully protests against police brutality: ‘We need to listen’

June 4, 2020

June 4, 2020

Jon Arteaga isn’t looking for any praise by protesting at the corner of Main Street and Route 150 in St....

Kids say… what does a farmer do?

December 22, 2019

December 22, 2019

This week we asked students at St. Joseph Grade School to tell us what they think a farmer does. What...

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...

5 things you don’t know about me… Josiah Thaman

August 7, 2019

August 7, 2019

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

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...

Senior Spotlight… Drew Coursey

July 17, 2019

July 17, 2019

Every week we ask a St. Joseph-Ogden senior five questions. This week we spoke to Drew Coursey. This post is...

Comments
Leave a Reply