Emmert goes extra mile at SJ-O: to be recognized as Salutatorian
The SJO Daily has sent questions to all St. Joseph-Ogden, Heritage and Oakwood valedictorians and salutatorians. SJ-O High School will recognize valedictorians Eve Owens, Rylee Sjuts, Ben Setterdahl, Brianna Suits and salutatorians Nathan Emmert and Jacob Shaw. Each student who responds to their interview questions will be featured.
Being at the top of your class takes grit.
That’s something St. Joseph-Ogden High School’s salutatorian Nathan Emmert knows.
“I have always strived to be towards the top of my class,” Emmert said.
His interests peaked during math and science classes. He said he was able to take the study skills he learned there and apply them to other subjects to maintain his high standards.
This led to Emmert receiving his SJ-O Academic Letter Award each year, becoming an Illinois State Scholar and being recognized by the National Honor Society.
But it wasn’t all assignments and test scores that made Emmert stand out.
As a member of the soccer team, he was named to the Illini Prairie All Conference Team and News-Gazette All-Area Honorable Mention his senior year. He was also won second place in the mixed media division of the Okaw Valley Conference, third place in graphics in the Illini Prairie Conference along with being the Spanish Club leader his senior year, and participating in Math Club.
Emmert took his art skills outside of school, earning the State Fair Superior Award, Champaign County Bronze and Silver Clover Experience Award in 4-H.
He’s also been involved in youth group, missions trips, vacation bible school and food packing events through his church.
“It was important to get involved to take a break from school work, gain leadership skills, and become a more well-rounded person,” Emmert said.
Being part of the SJ-O community is something that was more than just going to school, too.
“I enjoyed being a student at SJ-O,” he said. “It is a big enough school to have many activities and opportunities to get involved in, but small enough to be able to know the teachers and other students better.”
Emmert will attend Valparaiso University next year, majoring in Mechanical Engineering.
“I will continue to push myself to do my best in college and not give up when things get difficult,” he said.
