November 26, 2025 Local Stories in and Around St. Joseph, Illinois

Graduation speakers thank parents, teachers and look to the future

The theme of Hannah Lewis’ welcome address at St. Joseph-Ogden’s graduation on Sunday could be summed up as thank you.


Lewis thanked the teachers and administrators for preparing the students for the next step in there lives, helping them understand and being patient with them.


“Thank you for your support and commitment,” she said. “You truly inspired us to “be excellent.””


Lewis also thanked the parents of the graduates.


“We love you and appreciate all that you have done to shape us into who we are today,” she said.


She also thanked her fellow classmates.


“Thank you for an unforgettable four years,” she said. “It has been an honor getting to spend every day alongside all of you.”


Rylee Sjuts’ commencement address focused on memories.


These included the homecoming assembly that resembled a scene from “High School Musical”, Spanish class, track team shenanigans and attending athletic events.


Sjuts also focused on the changes the graduates will face.


“Some of us are going to college, some of us to the military, some of us into the workforce and some of us don’t really know yet,” she said. “Whatever it is that lies ahead for you personally, I’m sure you know there will be change.”


Sjuts told those gathered to honor the graduates that she used to fear change but high school has taught her change is inevitable.


“There is always good that comes out of change,” she said. “Life may not always be bright and peachy, there may be hard changes, but your mindset and the way you approach these changes is what determines your quality of life.”


Justyn Frisby read a poem to his co-graduates. The poem said “No matter what road you choose, no matter how long it may seem, let your heart guide you along the way.”


And finally, Kalli Ingram closed out the ceremony by reminding those in attendance that they played a pivotal role in the graduate’s successes.


“You are the ones who have helped make us into who we are today and for that we also thank you,” she said.

in Life
Banner
Related Posts

Krall joins Longview Bank

April 22, 2021

April 22, 2021

Brad Krall is coming home. Krall is now the Loan Officer and Mortgage Lender at Longview Bank in St. Joseph....

Wife Tribe looks to help those in need

August 5, 2019

August 5, 2019

The St. Joseph-Stanton Fire Wife Tribe wants to bring the community together. The group, founded this summer, was created by...

‘We lost a very good man in Jim Cotter’

September 2, 2021

September 2, 2021

Jim Cotter loved to brag about his kids. This past Saturday was no exception. Cotter took time out from covering...

Booker inspires community to serve

March 10, 2022

March 10, 2022

Ross Booker was always helping people. The community he called home is stepping up in order to honor the fallen...

Novak hopes butterfly garden benefits community

October 14, 2019

October 14, 2019

Heidi Novak isn’t a gardner. However, that didn’t stop the 2019 St. Joseph-Ogden High School graduate from creating a butterfly...

Ceremony to honor Edwards scheduled for Thursday

December 9, 2020

December 9, 2020

A Gift of Hope Flag raising ceremony will be held on Dec. 10 at 4 p.m. at the St, Joseph-Ogden...

‘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...

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...

Full STEM ahead for Powers

March 22, 2022

March 22, 2022

Katie Powers wants students to be engaged and excited about STEM topics. The Girl Scout Gold Award Recipient created a...

‘It has been an honor to care for you and your families’

December 21, 2022

December 21, 2022

Patients of Dr. Jeanelle Murphy got some not so jolly news at the beginning of December. Their doctor is leaving...

Sign ‘em up: Wagners to change locations in downtown St. Joseph

October 4, 2019

October 4, 2019

Jim and Jen Wagner want to invest in St. Joseph because the community has invested in them. “Community support is...

Live Blog for April 27, 2021

April 27, 2021

April 27, 2021

I am here at St. Joseph Village Board.No one else is here besides IT Guru Mike Sennert.May 5 is bike...

10 Things You Don’t Know about me Nikki Setterdahl

December 8, 2020

December 8, 2020

For years, Nikki Setterdahl and her daughter Whitney have been bringing joy to teens at Barnes-Jewish Hospital through their project...

How do I help my kids try new foods?

October 19, 2021

October 19, 2021

By: Dr. Jeanelle Murphy, DO Thanks to Christie Clinic for sponsoring this content. Encouraging young kids to try new foods...

Proposal would expand Sports Complex

February 14, 2019

February 14, 2019

Jim Page has a vision for the Sports Complex. The St. Joseph resident feels Woodard Family Park is under utilized...

Comments
Leave a Reply