Photo of the Day - October 29, 2020


SJO celebrates regional title victory

SJO girls regional champs!

Senior Anna Wentzloff and sophomore Alison Kearney celebrate with teammates while waiting for the awards presentation after the St. Joseph-Ogden girls basketball team's regional title win over Villa Grove. With home court advantage, the Spartans prevailed in a 50-34 decision over the Blue Devils on February 13.

(Photo: PhotoNews Media/Clark Brooks)

Area runners qualify for boys cross country sectional

Sixteen area high school runners qualified to compete at the IHSA St. Teresa cross country section next Saturday.

With no state meet this year due to the Coronavirus pandemic, eight members from both Unity and St. Joseph-Ogden will run for a chance to bring home this year's highest award in cross county next week.

Representing the Rockets, who finished in fouth place at the regional meet, are seniors Jarrett Cox, Ben Gavel and Connor O'Donnell along with juniors Nolan Miller, Clayton Jamison and Thomas Cler. The upperclassmen are supported by sophomore Brendan Graven and freshman Bryson Denny.

Finishing above Unity in the final team standings, the St. Joseph-Ogden boys squad was just 7 points away from bringing home the regional title. Helping SJO to a second place finish and advance were Ethan Blackburn, Charlie Mabry, Carson Maroon Brandon Mattsey, Elijah Mock, Luke Stegall, Spencer Wilson and Logan Wolfersberger.

Regional Results:
5. Brandon Mattsey (SJO) 16:00.6
8. Charlie Mabry (SJO) 16:11.6
10. Carson Maroon (SJO) 16:19.9
11. Elijah Mock (SJO) 16:37.6
14. Connor O'Donnell (Unity) 16:39.7
16. Logan Wolfersberger (SJO) 16:40.6
17. Ben Gavel (Unity) 16:44.0
19. Jarrett Cox (Unity) 16:45.8
24. Luke Stegall (SJO) 17:06.0
27. Clayton Jamison (Unity) 17:14.3
29. Spencer Wilson (SJO) 17:19.7
30. Thomas Cler (Unity) 17:21.0
39. Bryson Denny (Unity) 17:54.6
40. Brendan Graven (Unity) 17:58.9

SJO to hold virtual parent-teacher conferences

Instructors at St. Joseph-Ogden High School will hold Parent-Teacher Conferences on Thursday, November 5 via an an online chat platform.

Parents are encourage to contact the high school to make appointments with their student's teachers and guidance counselor either by email or phone. Conferences will be held from 3:00 – 5:00 pm and from 6:00 – 9:00 pm that day.

With first quarter grades distributed to students on October 29-30, this will be a good opportunity for discuss student's academic performance as well as objectives for remaining quarters with teachers.

To schedule an appointment by email, contact Nicki Falls at fallsn@sjo.k12.il.us or call (217) 469-7321. Appointments must be made by November 2.

Photo of the Day - October 20, 2020


Nate Michael playing basketball for SJO

Spartans stall in semifinal

Trapped by Robinson seniors Derrick Nicholas and Aaron Siler, St. Joseph-Ogden basketball starter Nate Michael looks for an open teammate to pass the ball during their sectional semifinal contest on February 29, 2012. Michael, who grew to become a prolific scorer, was held to just a single three-pointer in the 57-32 sectional semifinal loss. He finished both his prep and college career with more than 1,000 points. As a Spartan, he drained 1,244 points, good for fifth in the program's all-time scoring list, and was the 51st Bearcat to surpass the 1K mark finishing his career with 1,528 points.

(Photo: PhotoNews Media/Clark Brooks)

Izard scores 21 in Williamsville game

Chance Izard led St. Joseph-Ogden to victory with a 21-point performance in his team 50-22 win over Williamsville on January 7. Izard also snagged a game-high six steals for the Spartans in the non-conference matchup.

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Payton Grimsley slides across the floor
Payton Grimsley slides across the floor after trying to scoop up a loose ball in SJO's home game against Williamsville. The senior was scoreless in the game but spearheaded a great defensive effort by the Spartans who held the Bullets to just ten points in the first half. (PhotoNews Media/Clark Brooks)


Ty Pence added another 15 points and five steals to the SJO effort. The Spartans' solo freshman player on the varsity squad this season was a threat both in the paint and from outside the arc.

When the game resumed after halftime, the two teams returned to the floor with SJO nursing a 12-point cushion on the scoreboard. Pence went on to tally an 11-point third quarter that helped pile on a huge 43-14 advantage over the Bullets.

Williamsville's Sam McCoy, also a freshman, led the Bullets in the scorebook with 10 points.


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Conner Hodge and Payton Cain fight for the ball
St. Joseph-Ogden seniors Conner Hodge and Payton Cain fight to keep the ball away from Williamsville's Brendon Bishop during first half action. Cain and Hodge combined for just six points in the SJO victory on January 7. (PhotoNews Media/Clark Brooks)


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Jordan Kelly
Senior Jordan Kelly brings the ball down the floor in the second half of the second home basketball game of the new year for the Spartans. So far in 2020, SJO has outscored opponents, 118-73. (PhotoNews Media/Clark Brooks)


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Head coach Kiel Duval keeps an analytical eye on his team late in the fourth quarter as his Spartans pick up their second win of the year and advance to a 10-4 record for the season. (PhotoNews Media/Clark Brooks)


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St. Joseph-Ogden's Conner Hodge
Despite Williamsville's 6-2 freshman Sam McCoy's attempt to block, Conner Hodge puts the ball back up strong after snagging a rebound during first quarter action. McCoy led the Bullets' scoring effort against the Spartans with ten points. (PhotoNews Media/Clark Brooks)


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SJO wins
With the bench players on the floor and the game well in hand, SJO seniors (left to right) Jordan Kelly, Payton Cain, Chance Izard, Payton Grimsley and Braydon Rupert flash winning smiles. (PhotoNews Media/Clark Brooks)


Box Score
St. Joseph-Ogden 8 14 21 7 - 50
Williamsville 6 4 4 8 - 22


Scoring
St. Joseph-Ogden: Beyers 2, Cain 4, Coursey 1, Hodge 2, Hutcherson 3, Izard 21, Kelly 2 and Pence 15.

Williamsville: Hyson 4, McCoy 10, Riley 4, Smith 2 and Walbert 2.






Food & Dining |
Recipe-of-the-week: 3 Layer Arkansas Possum Pie

The star of your next spread can be hidden away in the refrigerator for a surprise delight for your guests. It's topped with chocolate syrup and chopped pecans, and your loved ones just may vote it to be their favorite dish.

It's an Arkansas Possum Pie, made with three delicious layers and crunchy toppings for a show-stopping dessert.




Recent study suggests childhood trauma could haunt Illinois adults for life
New data from the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention showed 75% of U.S. high school students said they have had at least one adverse childhood experience, or ACE.

Research has shown ACEs can alter a child's brain chemistry and produce a prolonged toxic stress response. Experiencing at least one ACE as a child is linked to having alcohol and substance use problems in adulthood, and chronic diseases such as diabetes and obesity.


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Tipped wage system isn't working, removing taxes won't save it
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What will? Replacing the subminimum wages that tipped workers make with one fair wage nationwide.

The federal minimum wage for most workers is just $7.25. But for workers who get tips, employers are allowed to pay them $2.13 an hour. If tips don’t raise your hourly pay to at least the ...
Health & Wellness |
Is it depression, ADHD or bipolar disorder?
Lavender Zarraga, APRN, a behavioral health provider at OSF HealthCare, says it’s not uncommon for her patients to ask for a medication that isn’t the right fit.

The culprit? She says symptoms of common mental health issues like depression, attention deficit hyperactivity disorder (ADHD) and bipolar disorder can overlap. So, it’s important to stay in contact with your provider to make ...

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