Jo Ellen (Swanson) Vandersee, born May 14, 1964, is a SHS graduate of the class of 1982. While attending Sterling High School she received a total of 11 varsity letters - four in tennis, three in basketball, and four in softball. A member of the tennis team, Jo Ellen won the NCIC Conference title in singles and doubles four consecutive years. She placed in the top 16 at the IHSA State Tournament as a freshman and sophomore and place in the top 12 as a junior and senior. Her senior year, the team had a record of 14-1 and won the NCIC and district title, finishing overall in fourteenth place at state. In basketball, she was named All-Conference in 1980, 81, and 82. As a freshman, she was a member of the 1979 basketball team that placed third in the state tournament. Her sophomore year, she was a member of the 1980 quarterfinal basketball team and the Illinois Junior Olympic basketball team in 1981 and 1982. Jo Ellen was also named All-Twin City for two years and was selected to play in the Empty Stocking basketball game by Rockford Morning Star. She concluded her high school basketball career with 205 rebounds, an SHS record of 225 assists, 323 recoveries, and averaged 9.18 points per game for a total of 780 points. The 1980 and 1981 teams had a Conference record of 10-0 for the season and the 1982 had a record of 9-1. Playing the shortstop position on the softball team, Jo Ellen won the MVP Award and the Leseman '79 Batting Average Award her junior year. Upon graduation, Jo Ellen received a basketball scholarship to the University of Illinois at Chicago. Jo Ellen served as captain of the team both her junior and senior year. She held two single game records of 18 assists and seven steals, two season records of 146 assists and 89.5% in free throws, and four career records of 421 assists, 165 steals, and 236 free throws, and a 89.5% free throw percentage. With her 89.5% in free throws, Jo Ellen placed third in NCAA Division I free throw percentage. Graduating in 1986, she received her BS in business administration and continued to graduate school at UIAC. In 1989, she obtained her Master's degree in Sports Administration. She then was employed by Wichita State University as the assistant womens basketball coach. Jo Ellen's parents are Ned and Jo Ann Swanson who reside in Sterling. She also has three sisters, who have participated in SHS athletics. Jo Ellen and her husband Doug currently reside in Sterling and have three children: Megan '09, Mason '11, and Madison '14.