January 12, 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

As children go back to school why is it important that they wear masks?

October 23, 2021

October 23, 2021

By: Jeanelle Murphy, DO As Covid-19 continues to thrive due to the delta variant it is more important than ever...

Wheelhouse steps up to help community

August 19, 2020

August 19, 2020

Abbie Layden-Rogiers and her husband Ryan Rogiers have always wanted to help the community. The owners of The Wheelhouse in...

‘ B.J. was one who absolutely stood out’

September 10, 2021

September 10, 2021

We asked Matt Davidson, the former Legislative Director for the Illinois Municipal League for his thoughts on B.J. Hackler. Here...

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.. Angi Landis

January 24, 2019

January 24, 2019

Every Wednesday we ask a person who lives or works in an area town to tell us 10 interesting things...

Senior spotlight…. Payton Clements

January 17, 2020

January 17, 2020

What are your post high school plans? After high school, I plan on attending Bradley university and majoring in environmental...

‘Her heart was golden’ — Short loses battle with cancer

June 10, 2019

June 10, 2019

Nine years ago, Sarah Logan Loomis raised her hand at a meeting of parents. The meeting was for her daughter,...

Blackburn keeps positive attitude despite challenging end to senior year

June 16, 2020

June 16, 2020

No prom. No spring musical. No graduation ceremony with thousands of people in attendance. Needless to say, the senior class...

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...

Where to see Fireworks

July 3, 2019

July 3, 2019

Area residents have numerous chances to see fireworks this weekend. This post is sponsored by Island Travel Group and Events....

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...

Auto shop offering free oil changes to healthcare workers

June 12, 2020

June 12, 2020

St. Joseph Automotive and Diesel is helping the people who help us. During the month of June, in collaboration with...

Family hoping for a miracle

January 22, 2019

January 22, 2019

Angelique and Cole Rosnett have been faced with an unimaginable choice. To save their daughter Ivy they may have to...

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...

10 things you don’t know about me… Taylor Baldner

January 29, 2020

January 29, 2020

This week we asked Taylor Baldner of Taylor-Made Photography to tell us 10 things about herself. Baldner has recently joined...

Comments
Leave a Reply