March 24, 2026 Local Stories in and Around St. Joseph, Illinois

Get to know SJO Senior Marching Band member Mallory Wagner

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

My favorite memory is spending the evening at a competition with my close friends and my girlfriend(who are also in band) and cheering together when we got awarded for our performance.

Honestly, all three shows I’ve done have been very unique and exciting in different ways. Although I think my favorite would have to be Turbo, our show this year, because I have such a built up skill and understanding that I really have the chance to just have fun with it.

My favorite costume has to be my freshman show, Decomposers, we wore powdered whigs(which we called ‘rats’ because of how messy they were at by end of the season) and red tailcoats. I definitely felt silly in the get up but being able to laugh at ourselves and each other made it just that much more enjoyable.

I think the biggest misconception would have to be that it doesn’t take much work. When I tell you marching band is the hardest thing I’ve done, I mean it(and I’ve done a lot of hard things) the physical and mental focus it takes to learn and perform the show as perfect as you can, is nearly impossible. Especially when you factor in the extremely hot and cold weather experienced throughout the season. But in the end, you always feel so proud and accomplished.

in Life, People
Banner
Related Posts

Love of the game: Two St. Joseph residents umpire at state softball tournament

June 3, 2019

June 3, 2019

Slipping on wet grass actually helped Karl Black’s first experience working as an umpire at the high school softball state...

10 things you don’t know about me… Jeff Isenhower

October 31, 2019

October 31, 2019

Every week we talk to an area resident and ask them to give us 10 interesting facts about themselves. This...

10 things you don’t know about me… Vickie Reese

July 3, 2019

July 3, 2019

Every week we ask a village resident to tell us 10 interesting things about themselves. This week we asked Vickie...

She’s Back! Dukeman set to get another shot at softball this summer

June 30, 2020

June 30, 2020

Hannah Dukeman is getting a chance to play softball despite COVID-19 stealing her senior season at St. Joseph-Ogden High School....

10 Things You Don’t Know About Me… Kaitlyn Hess

February 13, 2019

February 13, 2019

Every week we ask a community member to share 10 facts about themselves. This week we spoke to St. Joseph-Ogden...

Dukeman shines in classroom and in athletics

March 7, 2019

March 7, 2019

School comes easy for St. Joseph-Ogden High School junior Hannah Dukeman. Dukeman, who plays softball for SJO in addition to...

‘Wanting to serve this community has been my passion’

December 7, 2020

December 7, 2020

Mayor Tami Fruhling-Voges cares about St. Joseph. It is why she is running for reelection tonight at the Republican Caucus....

Get to know Lindsay Rubach

March 25, 2025

March 25, 2025

Lindsay is running for the St. Joseph Grade School Board. What motivated you to run for school board?As an Educator...

10 things you don’t know about me… Abbie Layden-Rogiers

June 17, 2019

June 17, 2019

Each week we ask a community member to tell us 10 things about themselves. This week is Abbie Layden-Rogiers, owner...

10 things you don’t know about me… Alex Neubauer

June 27, 2019

June 27, 2019

Every week we ask residents to tell us 10 interesting facts about themselves. This week we talked to Alex Neubauer...

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...

5 Questions with Cohen Sands

January 26, 2023

January 26, 2023

We asked the members of the Heritage Bass Chorus five questions. Here are Cohen Sands answers. What does it mean...

Get to know to know SJO Senior Marching Band member Maya Hewkin

October 21, 2022

October 21, 2022

My favorite thing about marching band is the connection between the students. Being in band is like being a part...

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...

Cunningham wants to help Homer grow

April 6, 2021

April 6, 2021

Ray Cunningham feels he has unfinished business.  Cunningham is running for reelection as Homer’s mayor on April 6.  “I am...

Comments
Leave a Reply