May 8, 2026 Local Stories in and Around St. Joseph, Illinois

Frisby to fly high at Illinois State

A welcome packet from Normal told St. Joseph-Ogden High School senior Justyn Frisby all he needed to know — he would be a Redbird in the fall.


“Illinois State University had been my top choice all along,” Frisby said.
“It didn’t matter where else I was accepted into.”


Frisby chose ISU because of the school’s size and the accredited business program.
.

Frisby said the school is just big enough to represent something new and exciting, while remaining small enough to give him the “small town vibes” he has known his whole life.


“I am looking forward to taking the next step and experiencing the
ups and downs that life has to offer; how I react to such a roller
coaster experience will be a testament to who I have become,” he said.


Plus, he has family in the area.


Frisby said his parents were elated with his choice.


“It was the school I talked to them about the most, it was cheaper and some of my family lives in Bloomington,” he said. “The bottom line was
that it immediately felt like home.”


Before he fully becomes a Redbird, Frisby will graduate from SJO.


Frisby will be reading a poem at SJO’s graduation on Sunday.


Graduation takes place at 3 p.m. at the high school.


Frisby, who was a defender on the SJO soccer team, said he would miss
SJO but he would take the valuable lessons he learned there with him
to college.


“I have learned to stand apart from the crowd, and to not lot other’s
perception of me mold me into the person that they want me to become,”
he said.

Frisby said he will also miss playing soccer with his teammates, the
camaraderie the sport offers and even going to practice every day.


“Becoming emotionally invested in a group of people each year is a
treasured memory of mine,” he said. “Soccer has taught me how to take criticism even when I think there is nothing left to be learned (there
always is), and how to become a better leader as I was a captain my
senior year. “

in Life
Banner
Related Posts

Daily Exercise Recommendations

April 16, 2021

April 16, 2021

By: Christie Clinic Department of Family Medicine We all know physical activity is good for our overall health, but many...

How I get it done: St. Joseph-Ogden Principal GARY PAGE

June 1, 2023

June 1, 2023

We ask local leaders to discuss their views on leadership, how they set goals and what a typical day is...

Get to know SJO Senior Marching Band member Mallory Wagner

October 21, 2022

October 21, 2022

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

Talk of the Town with Superintendent Todd Pence

May 27, 2019

May 27, 2019

Every week we ask a village mayor, trustee, school administrator or board of education member three questions. This week is...

‘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...

SJO makes graduation plans for June

May 1, 2020

May 1, 2020

St. Joseph-Ogden High School is making plans for graduation to honor the Class of 2020. In a letter sent to...

Kids Say….

April 5, 2019

April 5, 2019

Every week we ask five students from a local school to answer a question on a worksheet. This week the...

Get to know SJO marching band member Kirsten Schaefer

October 21, 2022

October 21, 2022

My favorite part about marching band is the endless support that is shared throughout the band with one another and...

Sewing it all together: Hartman taking part in Project Run and Play

March 31, 2022

March 31, 2022

Growing up, St. Joseph resident Emily Hartman used to watch her mother and grandmother sew.They would create one-of-a-kind, custom-made clothes...

‘There is no one more deserving of this honor’

June 26, 2020

June 26, 2020

Glenn Fisher loves St. Joseph-Ogden High School. For decades, Fisher’s main concern was that the facilities and sports fields at...

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...

Bringing Boston to St. Joseph: Jones to complete virtual marathon Monday throughout villages

September 5, 2020

September 5, 2020

Alison Jones has competed in the Boston Marathon before. On Monday, she will participate in the storied event — just...

Kids say… St. Joseph Second Grade

March 14, 2019

March 14, 2019

Every week we ask five students from a local school to answer a question on a worksheet. This week the...

KIDS SAY…

April 16, 2019

April 16, 2019

Every week we ask five students from a local school to answer a question on a worksheet. This week the...

Comments
Leave a Reply