![Sophomore Lily Bell posing as a player in the senior assassin game. Seniors participating in the game eliminate others by squirting them with a water gun, and can wear goggles for immunity against others. “People did have to go out and buy [water] guns, but most people have the googles at home, but you don’t even have to use a gun, you can use water of any sort,” senior Gwyn Christensen said.](https://ahstalonnews.com/wp-content/uploads/2026/05/unnamed-1-1-900x1200.jpg)
![The shadows against a captivating blue are a nod to the “Catch Me If You Can” musical poster, both for this performance and the blue from the Broadway show. The detectives in this scene are at shooting practice, in preparation for when they finally encounter Frank Abagnale Jr. “We always say our motto is ‘theater is a team sport,’ and really just emphasizing to our students that everyone is welcome in the drama department. There's always a role for you, whether or not, on stage or behind the scenes, in the costume shop, in the scene shop. [There are] all sorts of different things that go into bringing a show to life. So we love our drama hawks and welcome everyone to drama,” Drama Director Mollie Jo Blahunka said.](https://ahstalonnews.com/wp-content/uploads/2026/04/cmiyc-1200x800.jpg)
![Henry, Emily (2021). People we meet on vacation [Book cover]. Berkley Books. Image used under fair use for purposes of commentary and review. Haley, Brett (2026). People we meet on vacation [Movie poster]. Movie poster courtesy of 3000 Pictures and Temple Hill Entertainment. Made by Adilyn Hoop using Canva.](https://ahstalonnews.com/wp-content/uploads/2026/01/vacay1.png)
![Lockhart, E. (2025). We fell apart [Book cover]. Delacorte Press. Image used under fair use for purposes of commentary and review. The newest book in the “We were liars” collection was released Nov. 4.](https://ahstalonnews.com/wp-content/uploads/2025/11/wefell1.png)
![A Group of PEOPEL PE students and helpers set up an obstacle course during class. The “Amazing Race” unit had started in PEOPEL PE where the students and helpers got to compete in a variety of different activities and games. “We try our best to make [inclusion] a school-wide event, but it's just so much more different when you actually engage with the students hands-on and actually get to know them as people.” Sophomore Bree Christensen said. Photo Taken by Ada McNulty.](https://ahstalonnews.com/wp-content/uploads/2026/05/unnamed-12-1200x900.jpg)
Football student sections: the reality
Behind the scenes of the AHS football student section
The AHS student section hold up flashlights during the Homecoming game against Valley High School at Ankeny’s stadium on Sept. 30, 2022.
March 31, 2023
There is a cheerful mood throughout the student section tonight. It is the Homecoming football game against Valley and you are crammed in so tight with one another that you have difficulty moving. Everyone is here tonight to see the court walk down the field together. Tons of students are yelling and screaming all around you, hoping that you will win tonight’s game.
The student section at high school events might not always be what they seem. Questions have been raised regarding the environment within the student section at Ankeny High School (AHS).
The student section is a place where students can represent their school by supporting the various activities that it provides. However, some have spoken out and have started to question whether the section is successful in supporting each activity offered at AHS.
Recently, comments about the student section seem to fall on the negative side.
“Most people think the student sections are miserable because everyone is yelling at each other,” junior Josie Parton said.
Something that has been brought to attention is the feeling of a divide among each class.
“I do see a big divide,” senior Jemma Bullock said.
Each class seems to have their own ideas as to what the student section should look like.
“The seniors have the most energy, the most school spirit, they always dress out, they have their senior pants on, and they are at the forefront,” Bullock said. “The juniors are kind of similar, but not as energetic. Then the sophomores are just sitting down, and I don’t even see freshmen there.”
With an entire new team of administrators in the 2022 to 2023 school year, along with other new staff throughout the building, students feel as though they are also being affected by these changes.
“A lot of changes with teachers, even with Mr. Lage being gone. It’s affecting academics because there are a lot of new teachers,” junior Sydney Howe said. “A lot of teachers that we all heard of before, and knew, are gone.”
Throughout these changes, students feel more isolated from each other.
“The student body doesn’t seem as connected this year as it was last year,” Howe said.
The lack of communication between classes seems to have brought problems along with it.
Some have expressed concerns with the senior class.
“They yell at us, and they always act like it’s the junior’s fault that our student section is not loud,” Parton said.
On the outside, the student section might seem like a fun experience to take part in. However, some on the inside beg to differ.
“I see high schoolers trying to act like they have control and I think what parents see is a bunch of teenagers having fun when it’s not the same,” Parton said.
![Sophomore Lily Bell posing as a player in the senior assassin game. Seniors participating in the game eliminate others by squirting them with a water gun, and can wear goggles for immunity against others. “People did have to go out and buy [water] guns, but most people have the googles at home, but you don’t even have to use a gun, you can use water of any sort,” senior Gwyn Christensen said.](https://ahstalonnews.com/wp-content/uploads/2026/05/unnamed-1-1-225x300.jpg)
