December 19, 2025 Local Stories in and Around St. Joseph, Illinois

Get to know SJO Senior Marching Band member Mallory Wagner

The competitions, going and spending the evening with my band family and meeting and befriending other bands is just such a rich experience

My favorite memory is spending the evening at a competition with my close friends and my girlfriend(who are also in band) and cheering together when we got awarded for our performance.

Honestly, all three shows I’ve done have been very unique and exciting in different ways. Although I think my favorite would have to be Turbo, our show this year, because I have such a built up skill and understanding that I really have the chance to just have fun with it.

My favorite costume has to be my freshman show, Decomposers, we wore powdered whigs(which we called ‘rats’ because of how messy they were at by end of the season) and red tailcoats. I definitely felt silly in the get up but being able to laugh at ourselves and each other made it just that much more enjoyable.

I think the biggest misconception would have to be that it doesn’t take much work. When I tell you marching band is the hardest thing I’ve done, I mean it(and I’ve done a lot of hard things) the physical and mental focus it takes to learn and perform the show as perfect as you can, is nearly impossible. Especially when you factor in the extremely hot and cold weather experienced throughout the season. But in the end, you always feel so proud and accomplished.

in Life, People
Banner
Related Posts

‘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...

Talk of the Town… Jim and Jen Wagner

August 6, 2019

August 6, 2019

Every week we ask a village resident or official three questions. This week we spoke to Jim and Jen Wagner...

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...

10 things you don’t know about me… Steve Peters

October 10, 2024

October 10, 2024

Steve is a member of the St. Joseph Zoning Board and a Paramedic / Firefighter with the St. Joseph- Stanton...

How I Get it Done… Matt Crider

October 21, 2022

October 21, 2022

This week we spoke to Matt Crider of Trinity Web Design and Consulting, LLC to ask him how he gets...

‘Being the first of anything comes with challenges, but also a lot of opportunity’

July 13, 2021

July 13, 2021

St. Joseph Village Administrator Joseph Hackney likes challenges. “Being the first of anything comes with challenges, but also a lot...

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....

‘He was the kind of person everyone was happy to see’

July 19, 2025

July 19, 2025

Sam Shonkwiler was full of life. He would walk in a room and people would call his name. He had...

Senior Spotlight… Ally Monk

January 29, 2020

January 29, 2020

What are your plans after you graduate from St. Joseph-Ogden? After graduation, I plan on attending the University of Missouri...

10 things you don’t know about me… Jason Retz

November 7, 2019

November 7, 2019

In honor of SJO Cross Country going to state this week we asked head coach Jason Retz to tell us...

Where to see Fireworks

July 3, 2019

July 3, 2019

Area residents have numerous chances to see fireworks this weekend. This post is sponsored by Island Travel Group and Events....

Senior Spotlight… Sam Wesley

April 17, 2020

April 17, 2020

What are your plans after high school?I will attend the University of Illinois. Who are three people you would like...

Emmert expresses himself via artwork

May 1, 2019

May 1, 2019

St. Joseph-Ogden senior Nathan Emmert loves creating art work. “I have always enjoyed making different kinds of art,” he said....

Ask the Doctor with Dr. Jeanelle Murphy

April 6, 2020

April 6, 2020

How much screen time should my child have? What are the pros and cons for letting a toddler or grade...

Senior spotlight Eric Poe

February 7, 2020

February 7, 2020

Every week we ask a St. Joseph-Ogden senior five questions. This week we talked to Eric Poe. Thank you to...

Comments
Leave a Reply