November 18, 2025 Local Stories in and Around St. Joseph, Illinois

Opening address by Indira Robinson

Hello, it is my pleasure to be able to welcome staff, family, and friends to the Saint Joseph-Ogden class of 2021 commencement ceremony.

Whether you are here in-person or tuning in virtually, thank you all for being here to support us. I know that we never could have predicted our senior year to turn out this way, however, I am thankful that we were able to end our senior year together and to be in a somewhat normal graduation ceremony today.


It may be easy to recognize what we have lost but our struggles do not define who we are. Us being here today has proved how we have been able overcome the struggles of the past year and while I hope there is nothing worse than a global pandemic in our future, there is no doubt of our ability to adapt and overcome anything that comes our way. We also can’t let the past year and a half cloud the good memories of high school either.


For me, some of those have been marching and playing music with some of my best friends, watching Evan fall down the stairs while racing down the hallways, Alec and Mr. Searby’s alien debate, and listening to Mr. Beckett singing with his karaoke machine in the hall. Each and everyone one of us have our own memories that this school has helped us create and I hope all of our future endeavors will do this for us too. Thank you again staff, community, friends, and family for your endless support and encouragement. Congratulations class of 2021.

in Schools
Banner
Related Posts

Hallett is new SRO in place at St. Joseph, PVO schools

September 10, 2019

September 10, 2019

Champaign County Sheriff’s Deputy Shawn Hallett has always held the police in high regard. “As a child, I remember having...

SJO expected to vote to issue bonds for facility upgrades

June 9, 2021

June 9, 2021

Tonight at 6 p.m., the St. Joseph-Ogden Board of Education will meet to discuss issuing Taxable General Obligation School Bonds...

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...

Emmert expresses himself via artwork

May 1, 2019

May 1, 2019

St. Joseph-Ogden senior Nathan Emmert loves creating art work. “I have always enjoyed making different kinds of art,” he said....

Heritage First Quarter Honor Roll

November 8, 2023

November 8, 2023

High Honors: Freshmen: Ashley Barkley, Nathan Bensyl, Lillie Bishop, Erika Bonilla, Addison Hopper, Lillian Perkins, Breanna Ploense, Clark Roland, Jayden...

We the People holding one final fundraiser

April 2, 2019

April 2, 2019

There is one final chance to help the St. Joseph-Ogden We the People Civics Team fund their trip to Nationals...

SJO third-quarter high honor roll

March 30, 2022

March 30, 2022

FreshmenBeckett, EJBenoit, AudreyBesson, WillBonny, SarahBrown, LandonClampitt, MadisonDavenport, AerolynDietiker, EllaDitchfield, LukeEnnis, JacksonFranzen, SavannaFunk, AddisonGerdes, TaytonGetty, OliviaHamilton, MakennahHarris, LaurenHesterberg, HaleyHouston, MaebreeKearney, SaraKindle,...

Wentzloff brings Lurch to life in Addams Family

April 3, 2022

April 3, 2022

Lili Wentzloff knows how to portray a character with few words. She is portraying Lurch, the butler of the creepy...

Heritage Junior High Honor Roll

January 19, 2023

January 19, 2023

HONOR ROLL Heritage Junior High has compiled the list of honor roll students for the second quarter. Astudent must have...

2021 SJO honors night

May 13, 2021

May 13, 2021

On Wednesday St. Joseph-Ogden High School announced the winners of scholarships. The winners are listed below. National Merit Scholarship (commendation)...

An end of an era at St. Joseph Middle School

August 11, 2021

August 11, 2021

For the first time since 1994, Chris Graham won’t be greeting St. Joseph students on the first day of school...

Talk of the Town with Superintendent Todd Pence

May 27, 2019

May 27, 2019

Every week we ask a village mayor, trustee, school administrator or board of education member three questions. This week is...

Prairieview-Ogden First Quarter Honor Roll

October 31, 2022

October 31, 2022

7th Grade Highest Honors: (3.7-4.0) Tyler Bonny Casen Goff Gaby Gomez Royce Loschen Lane McKinney Airin Rash Korinne Travis Evelyn Valentine...

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...

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...

Comments
Leave a Reply