December 14, 2025 Local Stories in and Around St. Joseph, Illinois

Sorority gives grants to teachers

Psi Iota Xi is a National Sorority with local chapters in various midwestern states.  This philanthropic group helps people.  The main focus is on music, art, literature, speech, and hearing but this can branch out in many directions.  Membership is open to women who wish to enrich libraries and local philanthropic events in their area.

Iota Sigma is a chapter of Psi Iota Xi that is chartered in St. Joseph, IL.  Locally we support the Summer Reading Program at the Swearingen Memorial Library in St. Joseph as well as in Homer, IL.  We make donations to Feed the Need at the St. Joseph United Methodist Church.  We have sponsored a music student who has traveled to Florida to present with his school.  

This year we decided to offer grants to teachers at the St. Joseph Grade and Middle Schools to teachers who have special projects that expand their curriculum.  These projects were required to focus on music, art, literature, speech, or hearing.  Teachers were asked to present us with information on their goals and how they would use the money if their project was selected.  

A committee from Iota Sigma read through the materials sent to us and have decided that these three teachers’ projects would each be partially funded:

Allison Schuette Speech and Hearing for grades preK – 8th

Amber Garrison & Stephanie McCall Literature – Grade 8

Maria Wilson, Lady of the Library Literature – Middle School Librarian 

On November 7, 2023 the members of Iota Sigma presented awards to those projects selected at the St. Joseph Middle School.

Left to Right:  Alisyn Franzen (Middle School Principal), Jill Robbins (Iota Sigma Member), Amber Garrison (8th Grade Literature Teacher), Stephanie McCall (8th Grade Literature Teacher), Rita McCannon (Iota Sigma Member), Maria Wilson (Lady of the Library),  Allison Schuette (Speech and Hearing Teacher), Michelle Wagner (Grade School Principal).

Submitted by:  Jill Robbins

in Schools
Banner
Related Posts

Madrigals return to St. Joseph-Ogden

December 1, 2024

December 1, 2024

A Christmas tradition is coming back. The St. Joseph-Ogden Music Department is hosting a Madrigal Dinner on Dec. 7. 2024...

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...

SJO board approves back to school plan

July 27, 2021

July 27, 2021

St. Joseph-Ogden High School has created a plan for the 2021-22 school year. A plan that is subject to change....

Closing address by Garren Meeker

May 19, 2021

May 19, 2021

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

PVO Junior High 7th grade honor roll

November 8, 2023

November 8, 2023

7th Grade Highest HonorsSydney AbernathyJebb AdenKolbie BusboomElla GerdesElla MohrAlea RashEaston RayCaylah RobertsRyan Schmitz 7th Grade High HonorsAllie BottAvary BuhrMax BuhrChase...

St. Joseph Middle School 8th Grade Honor Roll

November 2, 2021

November 2, 2021

Barrowman, Kylie Barrowman, Lexie Blackburn-Kelley, Timera Blackburn-Kelley, Timothy Carlson, Jacob Chaudhary, Rudra Clark, Joshua Ericksen, Katherine Getty, Camden Haley, William...

“It couldn’t be done” read by Erica Guelfi

June 16, 2020

June 16, 2020

It Couldn’t Be DoneBY EDGAR ALBERT GUESTSomebody said that it couldn’t be done      But he with a chuckle repliedThat “maybe it couldn’t,”...

SJO could return to full in-person instruction

March 3, 2021

March 3, 2021

St. Joseph-Ogden High School is starting to plan for the future. Superintendent Brian Brooks said the school is looking into...

Wagle reaches out of her comfort zone

April 3, 2022

April 3, 2022

Alayna Wagle loves Halloween. So the Addams Family spooky motif is right up her alley. “I was pretty familiar with...

SJO Winter Sports Letter/Awards Winners

March 20, 2023

March 20, 2023

Dance TeamKatie EarleyCourtney MyrenSamantha BeetzGrace GettyTaylyn LockhartOlivia GettyReese WheatleyMadison WolkenAbby GettyLily RiceGracyn Sjoken MIP- Lily RiceDance Your Heart Out Award-...

How I get it done: St. Joseph-Ogden Principal GARY PAGE

June 1, 2023

June 1, 2023

We ask local leaders to discuss their views on leadership, how they set goals and what a typical day is...

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...

PVO 4th Quarter honor roll

July 8, 2023

July 8, 2023

This post is sponsored by Fisher Yard Barns. 7th Grade Highest Honors (3.7-4.0) Tyler BonnyIsabella FrerichsCasen GoffGaby GomezKellyn IrwinRoyce LoschenLane...

SJO High Honor Roll

January 11, 2020

January 11, 2020

FreshmenActon, AlyssaAtwood, McGwire Baker, Kaytlyn Baltzell, Olivia Carter, Maddux Casanova, Yamilka Chambers, Ariana Coursey, Cale Cromwell, Aiden Dahman, Zachary Elsbernd,...

Ames and Aden advance to district competition

January 28, 2019

January 28, 2019

Most people dislike public speaking. Not St. Joseph FFA member Mallory Ames. Ames, along with Lindsey Aden and Abby Schlueter...

Comments
Leave a Reply