February 6, 2026 Local Stories in and Around St. Joseph, Illinois

‘I love everything about our new space’

The drama program at St. Joseph-Ogden High School has a new home.


“It means a lot to this program and just fine arts in general,” said Drama Director Chandler Dalton.


The former gym is now a fully functioning auditorium with state-of-the-art lighting and sound, an actual stage and seating for 491 people.


“We no longer have to share the space with wrestling in the winter and can work longer on the stage to perfect our performances,” Dalton said. “I no longer feel like I have to rush to throw a show together because another activity needs to gym or having to wait until a sports season is over to be in there.”
Dalton said there is a lot to love with the upgrades including a motorized curtain, new LED lights, having a bigger stage to work on and comfortable seats.


“I love everything about our new space,” she sails.


Dalton said the drama students love the new space. On March 3 they will officially the spring musical set onto the stage.


“The students can’t wait to start practicing on the stage,” Dalton said. “The drama kids have been kept up to date on the whole process. Mr. Brooks took them in there back in October and it was a pretty cool experience for them.”

in Schools
Banner
Related Posts

St. Joseph Middle School 8th grade honor rolls

January 19, 2022

January 19, 2022

ST. JOSEPH MIDDLE SCHOOL —  2nd Quarter, 2021 8th Grade High Honor Roll Ames, Trevor Barrowman, Kylie Barrowman, Lexie Beyers,...

St. Joseph Middle School 6th Grade High Honor Roll

November 14, 2023

November 14, 2023

FIRST NAME LAST NAME Jovie Anderson Adalyn Bacon June Barnhart Elijah Bronowski Ethan Burnett Bowen Crackel Kolton Cruz Cameron Daly...

Grade school collecting items for food pantry

January 28, 2020

January 28, 2020

The students at St. Joseph Grade School are doing more than celebrating their 100th day of school—they are helping their...

SJO still waiting on property tax money

July 16, 2019

July 16, 2019

St. Joseph-Ogden High School has only received roughly $22,000 of the money it is due from Champaign County property taxes....

SJO Honor roll

January 11, 2020

January 11, 2020

FreshmenCramer, Morgan Adams, Madison Alwes, Canyon Blackburn, Ethan Burch, Tyler Collins, Bryce Dial, Aleah Dow, Abigail Funk, Alex Harms, Hallie...

More than a coach: SJO to honor Duval with field dedication ceremony Friday night

August 19, 2021

August 19, 2021

An educator. A coach. A friend. A husband. A father. A community icon. On Friday night the community and high...

SJO announces Illinois State Scholars

December 15, 2023

December 15, 2023

Fifteen St. Joseph-Ogden students have been named Illinois State Scholars. The State Scholar Program publicly and personally identifies graduating high...

SJO Winter Sports Award Winners

March 12, 2020

March 12, 2020

Basketball CheerleadingTia Pruitt, Sr.Raegan Crippen, Jr.Vania Kaenzig, Jr.Alyssa Lynch, Jr.Alyssa Maddock, Jr.Ava Meyer, So.JoLeena Reynolds, So.Alexis Taylor, So.Regan Uden, So.Leah...

Franzen finds freedom in music

October 4, 2019

October 4, 2019

Dakota Franzen is an inspiration. Marching Band Director Chuck Hess said Franzen’s efforts to be the best he can be...

St. Joseph Middle School 8th grade honor roll

April 7, 2022

April 7, 2022

8th Grade Honor Roll Barrowman, Kylie Bartlett, Guinevere Blackburn-Kelley, Timera Blackburn-Kelley, Timothy Campbell, Shelby Coffey, Christopher Daly, Nathan Dwyer, Caleb...

‘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...

SJO hopeful to keep in-person learning through end of semester

December 9, 2020

December 9, 2020

Six staff members at St. Joseph-Ogden High School are currently in quarantine after testing positive for COVID-19 or being a...

SJO HONOR ROLL SECOND QUARTER

January 11, 2021

January 11, 2021

FreshmenAlewelt, EdwardAllen, ChloeAllinger, KadenBrown, KylerChahine, MayaDenhart, GarrettDressen, CameronGoldenstein, GraceGrant, BriannaGula, AmayaHayes, JayciLannert, LaurenLeVeck, JakeMcBride, SethMcMahon, ShannonSweet, ZoeyWaller, BraxtonWilson, SpencerWright, Mitchell...

Should children wear masks in school? Parents in St. Joseph weigh in

February 11, 2022

February 11, 2022

Earlier this week, St. Joseph Grade School, St. Joseph Middle School and St. Joseph-Ogden High School changed their decisions to...

Sexton uses love of music as motivation

May 1, 2019

May 1, 2019

Joshua Sexton loves band so much he plans on continuing it in college. “It’s one of my passions,” he said....

Comments
Leave a Reply