January 18, 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

SJO grad McElroy blossoms at Millikin, both in volleyball and in life

October 3, 2019

October 3, 2019

Marissa McElroy loves volleyball. And in turn, the sport has helped the St. Joseph-Ogden graduate love herself. The 6-foot-3 senior...

Kids Say….What does farmer do?

January 6, 2020

January 6, 2020

We asked students from St. Joseph Grade School what they think a farmer does each day. Here are their answers....

Giving back: PVO helps out Abernathy family with fundraiser

October 15, 2019

October 15, 2019

The Prairieview-Ogden community knows how to come together. And tonight is no exception. Corey Abernathy, who was an assistant coach...

For Schmidt, hard work pays off

July 12, 2019

July 12, 2019

Sammi Schmidt isn’t afraid of hard work. The future Illinois State Redbird was awarded the Gary Butler award at St....

10 things you don’t know about me with Whitney Setterdahl

November 25, 2020

November 25, 2020

My favorite childhood memory is when my youngest brother Jack was born. My brother Ben and I were eating an...

‘He was one of a kind that can never be replaced’

July 19, 2023

July 19, 2023

Gerald McClendon always wanted to help people. His Facebook page even said, “I enjoy helping as many people as I...

5 things you don’t know about me… Henry Rubach

August 8, 2019

August 8, 2019

Henry is in the running for the title of Little Prince! He is six years old. We asked him to...

Deadline approaching for Pageant

May 27, 2019

May 27, 2019

The deadline to compete in the Champaign County Fair Queen and Little Miss Pageant is this week. The Champaign County...

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...

Ogden Rose Library gets a facelift

September 6, 2022

September 6, 2022

The Ogden Rose Library is getting a facelift. The library is undergoing the first part of a remodel.Currently, new flooring...

Senior Spotlight: Libby Rowland

May 13, 2019

May 13, 2019

Leading up to graduation, we asked five seniors five questions. First up is senior Libby Rowland. What will you be...

10 things you don’t know about me… Allison Wakefield

August 18, 2022

August 18, 2022

What is your favorite place to travel to? Pennsylvania What is a TV show/movie you can watch over and over?...

‘I am proud of all of us’ by Kristen Costa

June 16, 2020

June 16, 2020

To the St. Joseph-Ogden High School Class of 2020, when I began writing this speech, I didn’t even know where...

Kids say…

August 26, 2019

August 26, 2019

Every week we ask students at local schools three questions related to farming. This week we spoke to students at...

‘St. Joseph is better because of Dixie Hackler’

January 20, 2020

January 20, 2020

Dixie Hackler always had a smile on her face. Always made time for others. And always made sure others knew...

Comments
Leave a Reply