January 19, 2026 Local Stories in and Around St. Joseph, Illinois

Spartan Spotlight… Kendall Ayers

Kendall Ayers has plans to travel after graduating from high school.


The St. Joseph-Ogden senior plans to take a vacation out west before attending Parkland College in the fall. Ayers said he plans on participating in the Parkland Pathways program before transferring to the University of Illinois to major in computer engineering.


Despite looking forward to his trip, Ayers knows he will miss certain things about SJO.


The Royal resident, who participates in scholastic bowl, drama club and chorus, said his greatest memories of school are the day-to-day interactions.

Ayers said he will always remember going to All State Chorus at Olivet Nazarene University, which was a huge accomplishment. His favorite classes at SJO were physical education and chorus. His all-time favorite teachers are his fifth and sixth-grade teacher Mrs. Max, Mrs. Steffen, Mr. Kieffer, Mr. Beckett and Mr. Hess at SJO.


Ayers, who enjoys playing video games, singing and working on computers, also has a passion for geology.

He said he would tell future SJO students to “get their foot in the door and make an impression.”

in People
Banner
Related Posts

Senior spotlight: Chloe Duckett

May 16, 2019

May 16, 2019

Leading up to graduation, we asked five seniors five questions. Next up is Chloe Duckett! What will you be doing...

‘Once a spartan, always a spartan’ by Katelyn Berry

June 16, 2020

June 16, 2020

When I pictured giving a speech at my high school graduation, this isn’t exactly what came to mind. I imagined...

Benefit to be held for Fisher family

March 18, 2019

March 18, 2019

Next Saturday the St. Joseph IGA and Wagner Signs and Graphics are coming together for a good cause. From 7...

10 things you don’t know about me… Bobbi Busboom

February 27, 2020

February 27, 2020

Every week we ask an area resident to share 10 facts about themselves. This week we talked to Bobbi Busboom,...

‘Nadirah knew that growing up in St. Joe was just the beginning of her journey through the world’

December 9, 2020

December 9, 2020

Nadirah Edwards left an impression on everyone who met her. Whether it was her kind smile and brilliance at a...

A field of art

October 17, 2019

October 17, 2019

Call it art in progress. The fans at St. Joseph-Ogden High School always take note of the painted field, endzones,...

10 things you don’t know about me… Shawn Skinner

October 1, 2021

October 1, 2021

1. What is your favorite food? Italian food  2. What is your favorite holiday? Christmas 3. What is your favorite...

Dukeman shines in classroom and in athletics

March 7, 2019

March 7, 2019

School comes easy for St. Joseph-Ogden High School junior Hannah Dukeman. Dukeman, who plays softball for SJO in addition to...

Remembering Ross Booker: ‘We are missing something special now that he’s gone’

March 8, 2022

March 8, 2022

Before responding to an accident that would ultimately claim his life, Ross Booker made a point to roll down the...

Wentzloff brings Lurch to life in Addams Family

April 3, 2022

April 3, 2022

Lili Wentzloff knows how to portray a character with few words. She is portraying Lurch, the butler of the creepy...

Spirit of giving: SJO graduate Whitney Setterdahl continues to help out teens with cancer

December 4, 2019

December 4, 2019

Whitney Setterdahl knows what it is like to be in the hospital during the holidays. Setterdahl is a recent graduate...

‘Having a trip on the books gives us something to look forward to’

June 4, 2020

June 4, 2020

It’s a crazy time in the travel industry, that’s for sure. While some news tends to lean towards the doom...

Senior Spotlight: Taylor Barnes

June 7, 2019

June 7, 2019

Every week we are going to do a Q and A with an SJO senior. This week we talked to...

For Poulter, entertaining people is a calling

July 17, 2024

July 17, 2024

Jonny Poulter just wants to entertain people. The 2022 St. Joseph-Ogden High School graduate was inspired to play music after...

10 things about me….. Dana Rowland

April 3, 2019

April 3, 2019

You may know Dana Rowland as the co-chair of the SJO Post Prom Cash Bash but now you can get...

Comments
Leave a Reply