Lindsey Aden’s story began long before her time.

The St. Joseph-Ogden Class of 2020 Valedictorian recognizes this.

“My love of learning was found at a very young age as a result of many of my family members,” Aden said. “My grandmothers taught at both high schools and universities, and I was often seen running around classrooms at their heels. My mother also instilled a love of reading into me by taking me to countless libraries and bookstores growing up. 

“Being the youngest in both my immediate and extended families, I always thrived on soaking up information from those around me whenever I could. To me, learning means knowledge and all of the amazing opportunities that it can bring you.”

The fruits of Aden’s heart to succeed has already shown great rewards. 

During her time at St. Joseph-Ogden, Aden took part in the Advisory Mentoring Program, Student Council, FFA, National Honor Society, Spanish Club, FCA, Maroon Platoon, and the “We The People” Constitution team. She is also an Illinois State Scholar as well as the High Honor roll all eight semesters of her high school career. 

“I served as the Vice President of both Student Council and FFA, as well as an officer for both NHS and Spanish Club,” she said. “My senior year, I played on the SJO third Place State volleyball team, and I also served as a Unit Leader for our 2nd Place State Constitution Team.”

But, it wasn’t all work. Spending time with her peers, especially during the 2019 Homecoming week is something that she will always carry with her.

“Since we did not have a senior prom or formal graduation, this was one of the only times our class was able to spend simply having fun and enjoying our last moments together,” she said. “We had fun spending time together as a class at events over the year like Spartalympics, Varsity Volleyball Games, and our Homecoming Dance.”

She has spent the last nine weeks wrapping up meetings and working with her classmates, taking AP exams while also looking forward to taking college courses over the summer months. 

“I’ve spent some time with my friends and enjoyed soaking up the last of our time together as a class,” Aden said. “I’m excited for graduation and the official ending of my time as a student at SJO. I’ve enjoyed all the experiences my school has provided for me, and I know that graduation will be an enjoyable event that I will never forget.”

For Aden, St. Joseph-Ogden has balanced drive with nurture well.

“The teachers are amazing and helpful, and they’re always looking to challenge us and push us to succeed,” she said. “At the same time, they are always there to support and aid students whenever help is asked for.”

That’s what she found at home, too.

“My entire family was always incredibly supportive of my endeavors in high school. I come from an extremely competitive and academically successful family, so school and learning was a big focus that always came natural to me. 

“My mother, especially, was always there to keep me sane and grounded when I was running from one extracurricular to another. She and my father always helped me with my studying and focus throughout the years. 

“Being around such a supportive group of people always meant the world to me because it alleviated a large amount of the anxiety and pressures that I may have otherwise felt.”

After this weekend’s graduation, where she will be able to walk across the stage with four guests looking on, Aden will begin to work towards her next goals.

As a student at the University of Georgia, Aden plans to double major in Agribusiness and Political Science and minor in Spanish. She would like to go on to attend law school and pursue a profession as an attorney in the future.

As was the case with becoming Valedictorian of the Class of 2020, Aden has her sights set on making the Dean’s List in both majors. She also hopes to study abroad and intern in Washington D.C. during her collegiate years.

“In college, I will definitely be appreciative of the determined mindset high school has provided me,” she said. “I will also know how important working with younger students and pushing others to do their best is as a result of the experiences I have had. High school has taught me how to multitask and work hard for what I want.”

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Illinois State Scholars must be a U.S. citizen or an eligible non-citizen who is also a resident of Illinois. The student must attend an approved high school, take the ACT or SAT between Aug. 1 and June 30 before the third semester of high school graduation, perform in the top one-half of the high school class at the end of the third semester prior to graduation and/or score at or above the 95th percentile on the ACT or SAT. They must also graduate from the high school during the academic year in which they were chosen as State Scholar.

The post St. Joseph-Ogden High School Illinois State Scholars first appeared on SJO Daily.

St. Joseph-Ogden completed a unique three-match homestand in three nights on Wednesday with its third two-game sweep in as many days.

The Spartans (13-3) turned back Danville 25-13, 25-13 on Wednesday.

Katelyn Berry had 10 digs, Kennedi Burnett had eight digs and Rylee Stahl had six digs.

Burnett and Lacey Kaiser each swatted six kills. Bigger handed out 16 assists to go with two service aces.

On Tuesday, the Spartans secured a 2-0 sweep over visiting Paxton-Buckley-Loda.

Bigger handed out 26 assists and SJ-O displayed a potent and balanced offensive attack.

Kaiser landed nine kills while Berry and Burnett each delivered seven kills.

Burnett sparked a defense that produced 42 digs. She had nine.

Other team leaders were Berry (seven digs), Lindsey Aden (six digs), Kaiser (six digs), Berry (five digs) and Stahl (five digs).

Bigger had 16 assists and eight digs on Monday as the Spartans blitzed visiting Hoopeston Area, 25-5, 25-5.

Kaiser (six kills), Jenna Albrecht (five kills) and Burnett (five kills) were the offensive sparks.

Berry contributed a team-high 11 digs.

SJ-O (12-3) returns to action on Monday at Urbana.

SJ-O Boys’ cross-country

SJ-O runners were dominant on Tuesday in a non-scored dual meet against Monticello at Kickapoo State Park.

The Spartans swept the second through 10th positions.

SJ-O’s Brandon Mattsey was the meet’s runner-up, running the 3-mile course in 18 minutes, 7 seconds.

The next six Spartan runners finished consecutively and were within 29 seconds of one another.

Eric Poe was third in 19:01, followed by Lukas Hutcherson (fourth in 19:04), Luke Stegall (fifth in 19:07), Logan Wolfersberger (sixth in 19:09), Braden Clampitt (seventh in 19:11) and Elijah Mock (eighth in 19:30).

Completing the top 10 were SJ-O’s Ethan Blackburn (ninth in 20:37) and Charlie Mabry (10th in 20:51).

SJ-O returns to action on Saturday at the Peoria Notre Dame Invitational.

SJ-O Girls’ cross-country

In a non-scored dual meet on Tuesday against Monticello at Kickapoo State Park, SJ-O runners swept all of the first five positions.

Jillian Plotner was the individual winner in 21 minutes, 15 seconds for the 3-mile course.

She was followed by Hannah Rajlich (second in 21:20), Ava Knap (third in 21:27), Ashlyn Lannert (fourth in 21:53) and Ally Monk (fifth in 22:07).

SJ-O returns to action on Saturday at the Peoria Notre Dame Invitational.

SJ-O Soccer

It was a different day, but the outcome was the same for the St. Joseph-Ogden soccer program.

Three days after losing to Monticello 5-0 in a tournament match at Hoopeston, the Spartans lost a 5-0 decision to Monticello on Tuesday at home.

Monticello is 10-0-1 for the season, SJ-O is 2-8-1 entering a match today at St. Thomas More (9-1-3).

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