SJO senior spotlights with Nolan Peacock, Zoey Witruk & Nick Bensyl

Nolan Peacock Clubs & Activities Track and Field (3 years), Drama Club (2 years), Spanish Club, We The People Hometown: St. Joseph Siblings: Two older brothers, two older sisters Hobbies: Spending time with friends and family, playing guitar, and working. Favorite SJO memory: He is going to miss the home football games, post prom, and all of the fan bus trips to IHSA State over the years. He really enjoys when the whole school is involved. Favorite classes: Every Spanish class with Senor Sutton, U.S. History with Mr. Schacht, and Horticulture with Mrs. Nekolny Favorite teachers: Senora Nelson, Senor Sutton, Mr. Schacht, and Mr. Simondsen. College: University of Illinois to study media and cinema studies. Advice to future SJO students: Cherish every moment of high school because it goes by so fast. Special thanks: Nolan wants to thank the faculty and everyone at SJO for making high school such a great, positive experience for him.

Zoey Witruk Clubs & Activities Softball (4 years), Student Council, Spanish Club, Maroon Platoon, SADA, NHS, We The People Hometown: St. Joseph Siblings: One older sister, Tori. Hobbies: Reading, spending time with friends and family, and being a part of her travel softball team, the Peoria Sluggers. Favorite SJO memory: Some of the moments she really enjoy included going to volleyball and basketball games. As a fan, Zoey remembers the varsity volleyball match at STM in 2018, when the Spartans were down late but then rallied to win. She had a blast at the IHSA State Softball Tournament her freshman year. She also enjoys Favorite classes: Civics, English, and Chemistry Favorite teachers: Her favorite all-time teachers throughout all her schooling are Mrs. Stone and Mrs. Ford at St. Joseph Middle School and Mr. Simondsen and Mr. Schacht at SJO. College: University of Illinois, majoring in animal science. She plans to become a veterinarian. Advice to future SJO students: Do not take any moment for granted because high school goes by so fast.

Nick Bensyl Clubs & Activities Scholastic Bowl Hometown: Ogden Siblings: A younger sister Hobbies: Playing video games and playing different kinds of trivia games. Favorite SJO memory: His greatest memories at SJO involve Ms. Pensinger. Nick feels lucky to have had Ms. Pensinger as his substitute teacher for the semester during both his sophomore year and his senior year. Nick has also enjoyed taking college courses at SJO, especially computer networking. Favorite classes: World History with Mr. Kieffer and Consumer Education with Mr. Skinner Favorite teachers: Throughout the years, his favorite teachers have been Mrs. Max during 5th and 6th grade at PVO, and Mr. Kieffer, Mr. Skinner, and Mr. Beckett at St. Joseph-Ogden High School. College: Parkland College, majoring in computer science information technology Advice to future SJO students: Do all homework

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Photos and text provided by St. Joseph-Ogden High School

Logger to Red Devil, Jordan Brooks joins Eureka College hoops program

Earlier this week, St. Joseph-Ogden alum Jordan Brooks joined the Eureka College basketball program after finishing his class work at Lincoln Land College.

He can't wait to put on the Red Devil uniform and be a part of a successful program with a potent offensive. Despite their season cut short when the NJCAA canceled the remainder of the 2019-2020 season, Eureka finished the campaign with a 16-9 record. Brooks' new team averaged 91.8 points per game with six of this year's contests ending with scored over 100 points.

Former SJO basketball star Jordan Brooks makes a pass during the Spartans 2018 sectional semifinal game against Monticello. The Spartans fell in a heartbreaking 47-39 thriller at Maroa-Forsyth High School. (Photo: PhotoNews Media/Clark Brooks)

"I think my shooting, basketball IQ, and being a team-first guy will bring a lot to the table for our team next year," said Brooks, who is excited with the opportunity to continue his basketball career and has future plans to become a successful college coach. "Coach Wilde has built a great winning culture there and I can’t wait to be apart of it."

During his final season at Lincoln Land, Brooks started in all 31 games with a shooting average of 40% in and outside the arc. He averaged 10.5 points per game. He put drained 5 treys against John Wood on his way to a 19 point finish on February 26 and scored 18 against Illinois Wesleyan's JV squad nine days earlier.

"I learned a lot in my two years there," he said about his tenure with the Loggers, despite the team's 4-27 record this year. "I just learned how intense the college basketball world is. You never play against a bad player, it shows how deep talent is in basketball."

Being a student-athlete isn't easy. Brooks has learned as much off the hardwood as he as on it. He's learn to manage his time better as well as be an adult for the first time on his own.

"It was a good experience and I met a lot of good people."

The former Spartan basketball star will major in Sports Management at Eureka and after graduation hopes land a position as a graduate assistant basketball coach.

Lights for the Fight tonight at St. Joseph-Ogden High School

Tonight starting at 8pm, the field lights at the St. Joseph-Ogden Sports Complex will be on for 20 minutes for "Lights for the Fight" phenomenon that is sweeping through the state. High schools around the state are turning the lights on as a show of support for seniors and front-line and essential workers who are doing their part in the country's fight to save lives and keep fellow American safe during the Covid-19 pandemic.

We will honor our seniors & healthcare workers at SJO tonight. The football & softball field lights will be turned on for 20 minutes tonight from 8:00-8:20 PM. @Maroon_Platoon @SJOFootball @SJOSoftball @SJOBaseball @SJORunning @SJOGirlsHoops @SJOVolleyball pic.twitter.com/bNVPcaeV3R

— SJO AD (@SJOsports) April 17, 2020

Many states and high schools around the country have organized various initiatives involving school lights according the Illinois High School Association.

"Mt. Carmel High School in Chicago was one of the early adopters in putting the spotlight on this cause in Illinois. Caravan administrators asked their fellow Chicago Catholic League schools to take part via social media, and it has now grown statewide."

Some schools are making this gesture a Friday night tradition. It is unknown at this time if St. Joseph-Ogden will do the same.

The show of solidarity and support will have extra significance as Governor J.B. Pritzker is expected to announce that schools will remain close for the rest of this academic year today or tomorrow. The Illinois governor has also hinted that the current shelter-in-place order may be extended into mid-May as other state leaders have chosen to implement.

The closure and stay-at-home extension will undoubtedly force the IHSA to cancel this spring's high school athletic season for thousands of athletes around the state.