March 21, 2026 Local Stories in and Around St. Joseph, Illinois

Setterdahl finds perfect fit at Clemson

Ben Setterdahl thinks he may be annoying people.

The St. Joseph-Ogden senior, who is co-valedictorian, can’t stop talking about Clemson University.


The South Carolina school will be Setterdahl’s home for the next four years.


“I am just so excited and everyone has been so nice to me,” he said.

Setterdahl said he overlooked the ACC school at first and he never saw himself actually becoming a Tiger.

Setterdahl said the college decision process was stressful, but he tried to be as open with his parents as possible and just take everything one step at a time.

“Then as it got closer to decision time I decided it would be at least worth a visit,” Setterdahl said. “As soon as I stepped on campus I felt at home. As we looked around more on our visit I realized it was just the perfect fit for me.”

Setterdahl said his mom, Nikki, was surprised that he decided to attend Clemson, but supportive. His father, Duane, wasn’t as surprised.

“My dad said he saw it coming,” Setterdahl said.


Setterdahl will be majoring in engineering and will likely choose to pursue a civil engineering degree.


“I’m just so excited for a new journey meeting new people in a brand new place,” he said. “I couldn’t see myself anywhere else this fall, and I am so excited about it.”


Setterdahl, who will graduate from SJO on Sunday afternoon, said he has many great memories from his time as a Spartan. This year, he was a part of the We the People Civics team and traveled to Washington, D.C for the National competition.

“It was one of the best weeks of my life,” he said. “I had so much fun.”

Setterdahl said the school he attended for four years and the town he grew up in has taught him many lessons, including it is OK to be different.

“I have learned to not worry about fitting in but instead to do what you like to do and be passionate about it,” he said. “I will definitely miss all the people in my life who have impacted me. I am so grateful for all of my friends and teachers and coaches and will miss all of them the most.”

in People
Banner
Related Posts

10 things you don’t know about me…the SJO girls basketball team

February 22, 2019

February 22, 2019

After this weekend, Maclayne Taylor will have 12 state medals and has been apart of five team state trophies.  ...

10 things you don’t know about me: Shannon Singleton

June 1, 2023

June 1, 2023

This week we asked second-grade teacher Shannon Singleton to tell us 10 things we don’t know about her. You will...

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… 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 with Payton Cain

December 12, 2019

December 12, 2019

Every week we ask a St. Joseph-Ogden senior five questions. This week we spoke with Payton Cain. What do you...

10 things you don’t know about me… Sue Esposito

March 13, 2019

March 13, 2019

Every week we ask a community member to share 10 things about themselves. This week it is Ogden Trustee Sue...

10 things you don’t know about me… Angi Landis

June 27, 2022

June 27, 2022

1.  I’ve wanted to be a real estate agent since my girls were little.  They are 27 and 22 (will...

Wheelhouse adapts during pandemic

May 27, 2020

May 27, 2020

Every Thursday The Wheelhouse gets as shipment of farm-fresh food from Spence Farms in Fairbury. Spence Farms is a cooperative...

Get to know Scott Perkins

April 1, 2025

April 1, 2025

Scott is running for the St. Joseph Grade School Board. What motivated you to run for school board? I’ve been...

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...

Senior Spotlight…. Brayden Grimsey

September 5, 2019

September 5, 2019

Every week we ask an SJO senior five questions. This week we spoke to Brayden Grimsey. This post is sponsored...

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

October 22, 2019

October 22, 2019

Every week we ask area students questions about being a farmer. This week we spoke to kids at PVO South....

10 things you don’t know about me… Tammie Mabry

May 8, 2019

May 8, 2019

In honor of teacher appreciation week we asked one of our favorite teachers to tell us 10 things we didn’t...

‘Girl Scouts is not all arts and crafts’

January 19, 2023

January 19, 2023

” Hannah Fox wanted to help feed her community. And for her Girl Scout Gold Award she attempted to do...

Comments
Leave a Reply