One of the most attractive things about St. Joseph-Ogden High School is the small town values that permeates throughout the school's culture. The commitment to family, friends and the community to not only succeed, but excel is a core value in academics, the arts, activities and of course, athletics. The level of caring and support is sometimes immeasurable.
"There is a culture of high expectations," St. Joseph-Ogden principal Gary Page said about not only the impressive academic accomplishment achieved by this year's senior class, but of the student body and faculty as a whole. Sixty-six percent of the members of the Class of 2019 graduated with a grade point average of 3.0, a 'B' or better. "It is the positive competitiveness they have with each other, but at the same time they are always supporting each other."
Cole Zaccarelli was apprehensive when he and his family moved into the area three years ago. Coming from a much larger community in Texas, he was sure there would be fewer opportunities to enjoy. It didn't take long for his mind to change.
"St. Joe has everything you could possibly imagine. Just the fact that our class (cumulative) GPA was 3.3. That's insane," he said proudly. "The number of things I've experienced, like going to play in an All-Star (football) game in Texas, the tradition of going to state and watching the state football championships; those are things I will always remember."
Nick Boggs, who will start Butler University's pharmacy program this fall, said he will always remember the Spartans' run to winning the 2016 state basketball title and getting kicked out of prom his junior year with his girlfriend.
"That was pretty fun," he said smiling from ear to ear. "It's a good memory for my girlfriend and I."
He had nothing by praises for school that just became his Alma Mater.
"St. Joe is a really good school. We have great teachers, great friends and a really good community," he said immediately. "My mom and my dad are really proud of me."
Hopefully, he won't forget his first home varsity run last month, either. His baseball season isn't over quite yet. Boggs and Spartans won a regional baseball title less than 24 hours before he graduated with honors from SJO. The Spartans advanced to a sectional semifinal against fellow Illini Prairie Conference rival Bloomington Central Catholic.
"Our offense was okay, but not terrible," Boggs said about the 3-1 win over Monticello. "We've got figure it out for the next game."
Erinn Miller described graduation day as bitter sweet. Her immediate plans includes attending St. Louis University to study nursing.
"It sad because you are leaving all your friends that you have been with for a really long time. It is also pretty exciting," Miller said. "I'm kind of sad to leave my family, but it will be okay."
Her advice to the Class of 2020 and beyond was simple. Get involved.
"Definitely try everything. If there is a class you want to take or join or club, do it. You might something you really like."
Zaccarelli's message for the upcoming senior class was similar to Miller's recommending that everyone experience should try to experience everything they can.
"You don't have to fit any kind of demographic. Experience as many things as you can."
"There is a culture of high expectations," St. Joseph-Ogden principal Gary Page said about not only the impressive academic accomplishment achieved by this year's senior class, but of the student body and faculty as a whole. Sixty-six percent of the members of the Class of 2019 graduated with a grade point average of 3.0, a 'B' or better. "It is the positive competitiveness they have with each other, but at the same time they are always supporting each other."
Keanen Swanson escorts classmate Rylee Walsh during Saturday's graduation processional. One hundred and eighteen seniors received their diplomas before a near capacity gymnasium of family and friends. (Photo: PhotoNews Media/Clark Brooks)
Cole Zaccarelli was apprehensive when he and his family moved into the area three years ago. Coming from a much larger community in Texas, he was sure there would be fewer opportunities to enjoy. It didn't take long for his mind to change.
"St. Joe has everything you could possibly imagine. Just the fact that our class (cumulative) GPA was 3.3. That's insane," he said proudly. "The number of things I've experienced, like going to play in an All-Star (football) game in Texas, the tradition of going to state and watching the state football championships; those are things I will always remember."
Nick Boggs, who will start Butler University's pharmacy program this fall, said he will always remember the Spartans' run to winning the 2016 state basketball title and getting kicked out of prom his junior year with his girlfriend.
"That was pretty fun," he said smiling from ear to ear. "It's a good memory for my girlfriend and I."
He had nothing by praises for school that just became his Alma Mater.
"St. Joe is a really good school. We have great teachers, great friends and a really good community," he said immediately. "My mom and my dad are really proud of me."
Hopefully, he won't forget his first home varsity run last month, either. His baseball season isn't over quite yet. Boggs and Spartans won a regional baseball title less than 24 hours before he graduated with honors from SJO. The Spartans advanced to a sectional semifinal against fellow Illini Prairie Conference rival Bloomington Central Catholic.
"Our offense was okay, but not terrible," Boggs said about the 3-1 win over Monticello. "We've got figure it out for the next game."
Erinn Miller described graduation day as bitter sweet. Her immediate plans includes attending St. Louis University to study nursing.
"It sad because you are leaving all your friends that you have been with for a really long time. It is also pretty exciting," Miller said. "I'm kind of sad to leave my family, but it will be okay."
Her advice to the Class of 2020 and beyond was simple. Get involved.
"Definitely try everything. If there is a class you want to take or join or club, do it. You might something you really like."
Zaccarelli's message for the upcoming senior class was similar to Miller's recommending that everyone experience should try to experience everything they can.
"You don't have to fit any kind of demographic. Experience as many things as you can."
SJO Class Officers of 2019
|
President Vice-President Secretary Treasurer |
Miss Rylee Sjuts Miss Hannah Lewis Miss Kalli Ingram Mr. Justyn Frisby |
Seniors in National Honor Society
Cassidy Danielle Bagby, Adam Douglas Frerichs, Benjamin Duane Setterdahl, Nicholas Ryan Boggs, Hannah Elaine Lewis, Jacob Anthony Shaw, Rebecca Michelle Campbell, Keely Ireland McCorkle, Kaitlin Marie Shoviak, Kayla Nicole Cañas, Erinn Catherine Miller, Grant Edward Siegmund, Emmy Noelle Daniels, Eve Frances Owens, Rylee Mareka Sjuts, Nathan Taylor Emmert, Adam Patrick Rose, Brianna Grace Suits, Emilie Louise Fox, Abigail Kaylyn Grace Schlueter and Maclayne Kathryn Taylor.
Unity's all-time leading scorer Elyce Knudsen is at it again. Now a member of the Millikan women basketball program, the freshman baller has tallied 57 points in just three games for the Big Blue.
In the second game of her college career, Knudsen dropped a team-high 29 points against Wheaton College. Despite her extraordinary effort, Millikan fell by seven at King Arena in Wheaton, 90-83.
Two days later when the two team squared off again, the Unity alumna led her team to victory with a game-high 17 points in the Big Blue's 85-60 win at home last Saturday.
Knudsen is back in action again tomorrow at 7pm when her team faces Augustana College and again at 2pm on Saturday with the Vikings.
