February 17, 2026 Local Stories in and Around St. Joseph, Illinois

Q and A with SJO Hall of Fame inductee Morgan Gooding 

1. How does it feel to be inducted into the hall of fame?
Honestly, it was a surprise. So many have graduated from SJO who have done and continue to do great things. I’d never even thought about being selected. It is great to see how excited it has made my family. I’m not sure my kids have fully grasped what it means but maybe one day they’ll think I’m cool.. we’ll see.



2. What is your favorite memory from SJO?
I may be cheating on this one because I’m picking a weekend instead of one moment. June 3-4 was unforgettable. The end of senior year, winning state, riding on the fire truck, and graduating all in a 24 hour span. I’m tired thinking back on it now, I’m not sure how our parents kept up but it was a memory that will last a lifetime. I loved sharing it with my softball team, coaches, parents and classmates!


3. What is one thing you learned at SJO that you have taken with you into your professional world?
Persistence! Finding a way through roadblocks, not giving up when things get hard. Twice I tore ligaments in my knee before starting the softball season. It kept me out for a full season, delaying a second but my coaches and teammates refused to let it slow us (me) down. I learned far more about pitching sitting on the sidelines than I had in years of camps. When I got hurt the second year, it was another reminder to slow down and focus on the basics. What a great outcome from persevering!






Banner
Related Posts

Get to know Terri Cummings

March 12, 2025

March 12, 2025

Terri Cummings is running for St. Joseph Village Board, for a four year term, as a republican. What is the...

Live at St. Joseph-Ogden School Board, April 28, 2025

April 28, 2025

April 28, 2025

Mitch, Jim and Alicia just took the oath of office. Jim Rein was nominated for president again. (He won.)Vice president...

How does a TIF work?

February 11, 2025

February 11, 2025

How does TIF work?A geographic area is designated as a TIF district. 


 Property owners in the district pay the same...

Mold issue being addressed at SJO

August 25, 2025

August 25, 2025

A mold issue in St. Joseph-Ogden High School is being addressed. Superintendent Brian Brooks said the mold was discovered last...

Get to know Mitch Schluter

April 1, 2025

April 1, 2025

Mitch is running for the SJO School Board. What motivated you to run for school board? I WANTED TO GET...

Parade to raise money for food pantry

July 3, 2025

July 3, 2025

Boy Scout Troop 40 wants to celebrate America while helping the community. During the annual Fourth of July parade, Troop...

Kern, Cafarelli, Carter and Atwood help SJO golf team have continued success

September 20, 2022

September 20, 2022

The St. Joseph-Ogden High School golf team has established a pretty common routine this season. Jacob Kern or Ashten Cafarelli...

Live at SJO school board, October 28, 2024

October 28, 2024

October 28, 2024

It’s me and the Spanish teachers here tonight. They are doing a curriculum review. I am doing a blog. They...

Library to host author

February 5, 2026

February 5, 2026

The St. Joseph Township-Swearingen Memorial Library, 201 N. Third, St. Joseph, IL 61873, is excited to announce we will have...

Live at St. Joseph Village Board March 25, 2025

March 25, 2025

March 25, 2025

Discussing bills. Art would like them to use local vendors when possible. Art likes how the bills are organized now....

St. Joseph CCSD #169 posts opening for school board

August 14, 2025

August 14, 2025

Earlier this week St. Joseph CCSD #169 announced a vacancy on the Board of Education. Lois Hewerdine resigned from the...

Vendor profile: Fun Faces and Balloons and Snow 2 Go

August 9, 2024

August 9, 2024

Tell me about your business. We are Fun Faces and Balloons and now Snow 2 Go!! We provide amazing balloon...

Road Tripping

July 19, 2024

July 19, 2024

Every week we will feature a location within an hour and a half of St. Joseph that you can take...

Comments
Leave a Reply