June 17, 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

Sign ‘em up: SJO, Wagners help recognize high school seniors during pandemic

April 17, 2020

April 17, 2020

St. Joseph-Ogden High School senior Jordan Stiverson received a surprise when he looked out his window on Tuesday. SJO Principal...

Live at SJO school board

September 23, 2019

September 23, 2019

We are here at SJO school board. They are discussing the insurance group they belong to and their options. An...

St. Joseph Grade School to keep hybrid schedule for now

February 16, 2021

February 16, 2021

While families with students at St. Joseph Grade School and Middle School may want their students back in school more...

SJO Board to discuss basketball at November meeting

November 4, 2020

November 4, 2020

Basketball isn’t a sure thing at St. Joseph-Ogden High School this winter. The district will have to decide whether to...

SJO announces students who earn Fall Sports Letters

November 19, 2019

November 19, 2019

Golf Joseph Acton, Sr. Payton Grimsley, Sr.Riley Myren, Jr.McGwire Atwood, Fr.Maddux Carter, Fr. Jacob Kern, Fr.Jack Robertson, Fr. Cross CountryAlly...

SJO 2022-2023 1st Quarter High Honor Roll

October 28, 2022

October 28, 2022

FRESHMANAden, CarolineAmes, TrevorBarrowman, KylieBarrowman, LexieBeyers, KaitlynBird, EmilyBonny, AidenBrooks, AddisonBytnar, SaraCampbell, ShelbyCarlson, JacobCarlson, WilliamChaudhary, RudraChilders, AdelynCrozier, CadeCruz, AdreonaDwyer, CalebEvans, CallieFranklin, WilliamGetty,...

‘I always have a blast putting the show together’

April 2, 2022

April 2, 2022

Mallory Wagner’s favorite part of a drama production may shock people. It’s rehearsing. “It doesn’t matter what scene we’re doing...

St. Joseph middle school 8th grade high honor roll

June 7, 2023

June 7, 2023

LAST NAME FIRST NAME Ahart Lillian Benoit Zachary Burnett Colin Clark Elizabeth Crider Abigail Dahl Hayden Davis Iris Downs Justin...

‘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...

Live at Heritage High School Board March 15, 2021

March 15, 2021

March 15, 2021

I am here at Heritage School Board. My dog ate my computer charger so I’m on chromebook instead of my...

SJO to stay with in-person instruction after Thanksgiving

November 16, 2020

November 16, 2020

St. Joseph-Ogden High School is going to stay with in-person instruction, Superintendent Brian Brooks announced Monday night. Last Thursday, Brooks...

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...

SJO third quarter high honor roll

March 29, 2021

March 29, 2021

FreshmanAllen, LoganBaltzell, OwenBeetz, SamanthaBurkhalter, ChloeDivan, RachelEricksen, SadieFrick, AddisonGetty, GraceHaake, LoganHarper, ChloeHarris, RachelHausman, BrodyHueber, AnnabelleJacob, TannerJolley, KyaJones, HeleneKibler, ToriLeVeck, PatrickLewis, HaydenLewis,...

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...

Comments
Leave a Reply