April 20, 2026 Local Stories in and Around St. Joseph, Illinois

Harper finds positive outlet in music

St. Joseph-Ogden sophomore Lauren Harper loves to sing.

That is why she loves the choir.


“It’s basically the time where I get to de-stress and do what I love,” she said. “I also love the people there.”


Harper was named Fine Arts Student of the Month and was nominated by band director Chuck Hess.


Hess said Harper is a team-player.


“She always exhibits a great attitude,” he said.


Harper said she is looking into attending Illinois State University where she plans on studying music or becoming a theater director for high school programs.


Harper said being a fine arts student at SJO is great because of the family atmosphere.


“I cannot stress enough how much of a family we are,” she said. “We all support and lift each other up.”


Harper only joined the band this year, which she said was an adjustment.
“Entering a program in the middle of your high school career is hard,” she said. “I’ve been in fine arts before but never high school band. It has been a struggle getting used to it, but so worth it.”


Harper said she was honored to be chosen as Fine Arts Student of the Month during her first year in band.


“It feels awesome knowing that I have made a positive impact,” she said.

in Schools
Banner
Related Posts

Heritage Junior High Honor Roll

March 26, 2019

March 26, 2019

Heritage Junior High has compiled the list of honor roll students for the second quarter. A student must have a...

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...

Senior Homecoming Court Spotlight… Bailey Dowling

September 27, 2019

September 27, 2019

St. Joseph-Ogden Senior Bailey Dowling is honored to be on the Homecoming Court. “It’s pretty cool being on homecoming court...

St. Joseph Middle School 5th grade high honor roll

November 14, 2023

November 14, 2023

FIRST NAME LAST NAME Ariela Adili Zoey Bird Cole Dietiker London Gallagher Cooper Graham Caleb Huckstadt Aubree Johnson Kendall Lubinski...

SJO Fall Athletic Awards

November 15, 2019

November 15, 2019

CROSS COUNTRY-BOYS MOST VALUABLE-2019 – Brandon Mattsey MOST IMPROVED – 2019 – Logan Wolfersberger TIM MIES EFFORT AWARD-2019- Charlie Mabry...

Opening address by Indira Robinson

May 18, 2021

May 18, 2021

Hello, it is my pleasure to be able to welcome staff, family, and friends to the Saint Joseph-Ogden class of...

St. Joseph Middle School 5th grade honor roll

November 14, 2023

November 14, 2023

FIRST NAME LAST NAME Sophia Albrecht Madison Beeler Abigail Bewley Kynleigh Blunier Connor Bowman Naomi Cavanaugh Konlee Christians Henry Cluver...

SJO Winter Sports Letter/Awards Winners

March 20, 2023

March 20, 2023

Dance TeamKatie EarleyCourtney MyrenSamantha BeetzGrace GettyTaylyn LockhartOlivia GettyReese WheatleyMadison WolkenAbby GettyLily RiceGracyn Sjoken MIP- Lily RiceDance Your Heart Out Award-...

St. Joseph Middle School 8th grade honor roll

June 7, 2023

June 7, 2023

LAST NAME FIRST NAME Albrecht Samuel Barbee Zhou Canamore Willis Ditchfield Nickolas Ennis Jameson Gaines Leah Garrett Elijah Graham Skyler...

Donation could change the face of sports and activities at SJO

February 16, 2021

February 16, 2021

An anonymous donor has made St. Joseph-Ogden High School an offer they couldn’t refuse. And because of it, SJO athletic...

St. Joseph Grade School to stay on hybrid schedule through end of school year

March 11, 2021

March 11, 2021

St. Joseph Grade School Superintendent Todd Pence said he is recommending the grade school and middle school keep their hybrid...

St. Joseph MIddel School 7th Grade High Honor Roll

November 9, 2021

November 9, 2021

Ahart, Lillian Barbee, Zhou Bello, Abigail Burnett, Colin Clark, Elizabeth Crider, Abigail Dahl, Hayden Davis, Iris Farber, Madison Franzen, Nolan...

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...

Live at St. Joseph-Ogden School Board, June 26, 2023

June 26, 2023

June 26, 2023

I am half an hour late. #matthadradio. Sam Furrer is here to discuss the parking lot. He lives across the...

SJO Second Quarter High Honor Roll

January 13, 2022

January 13, 2022

FreshmenBarton, RylieBeckett, EJBenoit, AudreyBesson, WilliamBonny, SarahBrazelton, HoldenBrown, LandonChristians, PresleeClampitt, MadisonDavenport, AerolynDewese, LaurenDietiker, EllaDitchfield, LukeEnnis, JacksonFranzen, SavannaFunk, AddisonGaines, KaidenGerdes, TaytonGetty, OliviaGuido,...

Comments
Leave a Reply