April 30, 2026 Local Stories in and Around St. Joseph, Illinois

Closing address by Garren Meeker

I would like to thank everyone for coming to the graduating ceremony of the class of 2021.

Whether that be in person, or virtually, thank you for being here.

When I thought about writing this speech I thought I could put off the inevitable.

This year has been full of firsts for us all, but it has been accumulated with a list of lasts. For some of us it was the last time we would sit in the cafeteria to eat with our friends, the last time some would partake in a high school sport, and for a lot of us the last time we were taught by our favorite teachers.

Sadly, the inevitable has come and I stand here before you all giving this speech.

The idea of being a high school graduate is now only an idea, and we are to continue with our lives beyond Saint Joseph Ogden High School. I don’t think we can plan for this new adventure, as this past year has proven life is full of unexpected turns. But with the unknowing inevitable that lies before us, we will all be going forward better people because of this school. I cannot say what the future holds, but I do know that Saint Joseph Ogden High School has played a great part in that future, because once a Spartan always a Spartan.

in Schools
Banner
Related Posts

SJO announces academic letter winners

May 17, 2021

May 17, 2021

Academic Letter Winners for the 2019-2020 Academic Year Class of 2020 (Graduates)Lindsey Aden Jenna Albrecht Michara AllenMallory Ames Kendall Ayers...

St. Joseph Middle School 6th grade honor roll

November 14, 2023

November 14, 2023

FIRST NAME LAST NAME Cali Argo Avery Bigelow Bristol Brown Avery Carter Kinley Dalton Dominick Fletcher Addyson Friese Vincent Gagich...

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...

Live at SJO school board

December 20, 2022

December 20, 2022

I am just a tad late cause the husband was on radio. #wdwssportstalk They are doing a facilities update. Things...

St. Joseph Middle School Announces 7th Grade Honor Roll

April 16, 2019

April 16, 2019

7TH GRADE HIGH HONORS Logan Allen Owen Baltzell Addisyn Barclay Samantha Beetz Kyler Brown Chloe Burkhalter Rachel Divan Joseph Frasca...

Graduation main address by Flannery McCorkle

May 19, 2021

May 19, 2021

Good afternoon, Spartans As I look out at my classmates, I feel truly blessed to have been a part of this...

SJO third quarter high honor roll

March 29, 2021

March 29, 2021

FreshmanAllen, LoganBaltzell, OwenBeetz, SamanthaBurkhalter, ChloeDivan, RachelEricksen, SadieFrick, AddisonGetty, GraceHaake, LoganHarper, ChloeHarris, RachelHausman, BrodyHueber, AnnabelleJacob, TannerJolley, KyaJones, HeleneKibler, ToriLeVeck, PatrickLewis, HaydenLewis,...

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...

SJO “We the People” fundraising for nationals

January 22, 2019

January 22, 2019

Gage Atwood loves a challenge. The St. Joseph-Ogden High School senior challenged himself this year by joining two very different...

St. Joseph Middle School 8th grade honor roll

June 7, 2023

June 7, 2023

LAST NAME FIRST NAME Albrecht Samuel Barbee Zhou Canamore Willis Ditchfield Nickolas Ennis Jameson Gaines Leah Garrett Elijah Graham Skyler...

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....

St. Joseph 7th Grade Honor Roll

November 9, 2021

November 9, 2021

Albrecht, Samuel Benoit, Zachary Canamore, Willis Colvin, Jaxson Ditchfield, Nickolas Downs, Justin Ennis, Jameson Gaines, Leah Garrett, Elijah George, Gunnar...

St. Joseph Grade School updates parents on COVID concerns

August 31, 2021

August 31, 2021

Fifty-five students from St. Joseph Grade School are in quarantine for exposure to COVID-19. Forty-two of those students are related...

SJO announces academic letter winners

September 30, 2022

September 30, 2022

Class of 2022 (Graduates) Addison Allen Tyler Altenbaumer Kailyn AndersonNicolas Anzelmo Ella Armstrong Abigail BehrensAlanna Bensyl Ella Besson Andrew BeyersBrandie...

Maxey named to SJO Board of Education

June 23, 2020

June 23, 2020

The St. Joseph-Ogden School Board has a new member. The Board of Educated voted to fill a vacant position with...

Comments
Leave a Reply