October 20, 2025 Local Stories in and Around St. Joseph, Illinois

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

When I pictured giving a speech at my high school graduation, this isn’t exactly what came to mind. I imagined standing up on stage in front of all of my classmates and their families, shaking, barely being able to get the words out.

But since I’m giving this speech to my parents, my brother, and my sister I think I’ll be alright. Obviously, this isn’t how we wanted our time at SJO to end. We all wanted to spend these last couple months as a spartan, together, for the last time.

And although our senior year was cut short, I would say that the rest of our time at SJO was a high school experience that we will never forget. We made so many accomplishments and achieved so many goals. And today (and yesterday and the day before for some of you) is the beginning of the rest of our lives.

Life is going to present many obstacles in the future. But we’ve faced so many obstacles in our lives already. These past two months have been difficult and they definitely have not been the ideal way to end thirteen years of education in our hometowns. But we have to look at the positives of what this time is going to bring us. When we get back together for our reunions, they’re going to be that much more special because of what we faced while we were in high school.

Seeing each other is going to feel that much better because of the time we didn’t get to have with each at the end of our high school career. And when someone asks each of us what year we graduated high school, we’re going to tell them 2020 and that will always be something to talk about. The class of 2020 has always been unique to me and to our school.

But now we’re unique to the world and I think that’s something to look at as a positive. So although we didn’t get to graduate side by side in a sweaty gym, we’ll always have the memories from this trying time and before.

Once a spartan, always a spartan.


Watch the graduation video here.

in People
Banner
Related Posts

10 things you don’t know about me… Leslie Landreth

September 17, 2019

September 17, 2019

Leslie Landreth owner of Little Bloomers Child Care tells us 10 things we don’t know about her! This post is...

Kids say…

July 19, 2019

July 19, 2019

Second graders from PVO South tell us what they would have on their farm. This post is sponsored by Longview...

Family hoping for a miracle

January 22, 2019

January 22, 2019

Angelique and Cole Rosnett have been faced with an unimaginable choice. To save their daughter Ivy they may have to...

10 things you don’t know about me… Todd Jacob

October 2, 2019

October 2, 2019

Every week we ask an area resident to share 10 interesting facts about themselves. This week we spoke to State...

‘Helping them reach their potential is humbling and rewarding at the same time’

January 26, 2023

January 26, 2023

A performance today will culminate one of the most powerful artistic and personal experiences Justin Lee has had in his...

Passion for fitness inspires Hixson’s JustBfit class

September 17, 2019

September 17, 2019

Brenda Hixson likes to help people be fit. Hixson created a fitness program that meets at St. Joseph Grade School...

10 Things You Don’t Know about me… Casey Phillips

April 16, 2019

April 16, 2019

Casey Phillips is active in the St. Joseph Women’s Club, a mom to two girls, a dental assistant and helps...

Remembering Dawn Van Buskirk: St. Joseph resident ‘admired and loved for who she truly was’

July 27, 2021

July 27, 2021

To those that knew her, Dawn Van Buskirk always had a smile on her face. “She was a happy person...

How I get it done… Diana Foltz

October 7, 2022

October 7, 2022

We are asking local business leaders how they accomplish goals and run their businesses. We spoke to Diana Foltz, the...

Talk of the Town with SJO head football coach Shawn Skinner

September 27, 2019

September 27, 2019

Every week we ask a school official, village trustee or mayor three questions. This week we spoke to St. Joseph-Ogden’s...

Food pantry in need of donations

August 23, 2019

August 23, 2019

The shelves are almost bare at the St. Joseph Community Food Pantry. The pantry, housed in the St. Joseph Church...

10 Things you don’t know about me… Terri Rein

November 6, 2019

November 6, 2019

Every week we ask an area resident to give us 10 interesting facts about themselves. This week we spoke to...

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...

Talk of the Town with SJO Superintendent Brian Brooks

May 9, 2019

May 9, 2019

Every week we ask a village mayor, school superintendent or board member three questions. This week we talked to St....

10 tips to get your home ready to sell

August 5, 2019

August 5, 2019

Clear out your personal belongings and declutter. It’s a good idea to eliminate clutter and depersonalize the home. You’ll want...

Comments
Leave a Reply