The Spartan Update
November 13, 2026
- Buy your 2027 yearbook before the price increases! The price for the yearbook is set to increase on Saturday (10/17). Yearbooks can be ordered online from Jostens.
- Do you want to see your pictures in the yearbook? Upload pictures that you have taken at games, club meetings, events, or just around the school to the Photo Share website: https://photos.jostens.com/EKPJFB.
- Attention juniors and seniors: a college representative from the Aviation Department at Parkland College will be here to speak to interested students on Friday, November 13 during Spartan Time. Sign up in the guidance office if interested.
- Attention Sophomores: Interested in going to a leadership conference over the summer? HOBY Youth Leadership is hosting a conference from June 17th-20th at Illinois Wesleyan University in Bloomington. It is free to students, but only two students can attend! Let Ms. Pick or Mrs. Rein know if you are interested before Tuesday November 24.
SJO held its annual Veterans Day Assembly on the south lawn. The assembly started with the lowering of the flag to half staff by the Legion Honor Guard, followed by the singing of the National Anthem by senior Madison Farber. The keynote speaker this year was SJO alum, Mr. Trey Coffey. The assembly closed with a rifle volley from the Legion Honor Guard the the performance of “Taps” by junior Patrick Clark. Junior Mataya Thaman was one of the many students who thanked the veterans for their service after the assembly.
PE with Mr. Pruemer
In Mr. Pruemer’s 2nd hour A day class, senior Brynn Ikemire throws the ball to get senior Cameron Kuchenbrod out. She had to first field the hard kick, then chase him down.
Advanced Spanish 4 with Profe Lindsey
Senior Studio with Mr. Beccue
Seniors Faith Jackson, Mary Evans-Baker, and Shelby Warns work on their projects for Senior Studio. They had the option to pick from many different techniques, including clay, drawing, sewing, and many more.
Intro to Ag with Mrs. Nekolny
In Mrs. Nekolny’s Intro to Ag class, freshmen Dominick Fletcher and Blair Mathis are tasting a variety of cheeses for their dairy unit. They had Gouda, Muenster, Colby, mild cheddar, and more. Blair said, “Overall, my favorite cheese is the mild cheddar since it has the most flavor.”
Intro to Social Studies with Mr. Kieffer
Mr. Kieffer’s Introduction to Social Studies class is showing what they know. They just finished their psychology unit, and are taking a test on all of the information that they learned.
Physics with Mr. Brown
Mr. Brown helps junior Mason Osterbur and senior Chase Mabry with their Physics study guide. The class was preparing for their next test.
Foods with Mrs. Mohr
Senior Morgan Huls is making biscuits and gravy in Mrs. Mohr's 2A Foods class. Morgan made sure that the gravy was cooked enough before being served.
Algebra 1 with Mrs. Johnson
The Algebra 1 class sits quietly while they listen to Mrs. Johnson teach. Freshman Avery Carter said, “I love having a smaller class because it’s a lot less distracting."
Chemistry with Mrs. Kerner
In Mrs. Kerner's Chemistry class, sophomore Jaxon Blunier works on memorizing Polyatomic Ions for a quiz. This was one of the harder quizzes of the year.
English 2 with Mrs. Carlin
This week in English 2, Mrs. Carlin’s 1A class is working on nouns, pronouns, and adjectives. Sophomore Allie Marschke said, “An exciting thing we do are Blookets; I love them.”
Ceramics with Mr. Beccue
Junior Nayeli Steele works on her project in Mr. Beccue’s 2A Ceramics class. The class had an option to make a famous art piece into either a 3D sculpture or an album cover.
Environmental Club
President Sydney Farber and Secretary Brynn Jones, of the Environmental club, host a recycling raffle during lunch. If you recycle something you can put your name into the raffle bucket. If your name gets pulled out of the raffle then you will win a cash prize.
Maroon Platoon
The Maroon Platoon came out to support our football team, helping them get a big win over Unity. Come show up this Saturday at home again against Mt. Carmel and help the Spartans get another win!
Mr. Searby
What classes do you teach?
AP English for juniors and seniors, along with English 1.
How long have you been at SJO.
This is Mr Searby's 20th year at SJO.
What is your favorite food?
“Oh definitely seafood, I like crab.”
If you weren't a teacher, what would you do?
If Mr Searby wasn't a teacher he would be a manager of a Las Vegas casino.
Ms. Myers
What classes do you teach?
“I teach English 101, and 102. I also teach Transitional English and English 3.”
How many years have you been teaching?
“23 years, I think.”
Do you have any pets?
“Yes, I have two lab Pitbull mixes.”
If you didn’t teach what do you think your job would be?
“If I didn’t teach, I think my job would be to be a chef.”
Mrs. Johnson
What classes do you teach?
Algebra 1, Trig/Pre-Calc and Math Lab.
How long have you taught at SJO?
13 years.
What is your favorite food?
“I love my mother-in-law's baked spaghetti.”
If you weren't a teacher, what would you be?
Mrs Johnson said she would be an anchor on the Today Show.
Mr. Franzen
What classes do you teach?
Mr. Franzen is the Assistant Principal and the Athletic Director.
How long have you been at SJO?
Nine years.
What is your favorite thing about SJO?
The kids.
If you didn't teach here, what would you do in life?
Mr. Franzen would be in the secret services.
Mrs. Wyant said that she would rather lose her phone for a month.
Senior Cameron Wagner said that he would rather lose his internet for a year. He said, “Losing my internet would be frustrating, but without my phone I would lose communication with many people I don’t see every day.”
Junior Charlie Martin would rather lose his phone for one month. He chose this because he believes he does need the internet, and would not want to lose it for one year. Charlie also believes he is able to do things he would want to do on his phone, on the internet.
Sophomore August Rosser said, “I would rather lose my phone for a month because losing the internet for a year would have a more drastic effect on my life, considering that the internet is a bigger part of technology as a whole, and a year is much longer than one month alone.”
Freshman June Barnhart said, “I would rather lose my phone for a month.”
Freshman Cam Fisher said that he would rather time travel to the future so he could have a flying car.
Sophomore Arianna Pecchenino said, “I’d rather go to the past because I’ll be able to experience iconic horror films in the theater!”
Junior Alexis Smith says she would like to travel to the past. Alexis said, “I would travel to the past to see my grandfather.”
Senior Shelby Warns says she would travel to the past. Shelby said, “ I would travel back to the past because I miss being a kid.”
Social Studies teacher Mr. Kieffer says that he would rather travel to the past. He said, “There were so many amazing things that happened and I would love to see them firsthand.”
Football
Varsity football blew past Unity on Saturday, winning 35-21. The Spartans will host Mt.Carmel on Saturday at 1:30 p.m. Come out and help the Spartans make it to the next round. See you there!
