The Student News Site of Ankeny High School

The Talon
Open Mic Night is a collaboration between Ankeny and Centennial. They meet four times a year. Open Mic Night allows students and staff to share their talents in a welcoming environment. Students who enjoy playing guitar, keyboard, or any other instrument, students who want to share their original poetry or who love to sing, or students who just like to tell funny, school-appropriate jokes can come and perform in front of a welcoming audience. Caption reporting by Taylor Rinehart Design by Sam Green using Canva
The night the mic stays open
October 8, 2024
ASL (American Sign Language) club provides students with the basics to learn sign language outside of school, while also allowing them to learn more as a group during Hawk Time. ASL club will be holding its second meeting Thursday, Sept. 26 in the AHS library.
ASL Club
September 25, 2024
The Ankeny School Board passes Policy 0502.06 Respectable Use of Mobile Devices at the Monday, Sept. 16 meeting. “Students may possess Wireless Communication Devices on district property and on district-owned, district-leaded, and/or district chartered transportation, provided that, during School Hours, student Wireless Communication Devices shall be turned off, concealed, and placed out of the student’s reach” (Policy 0502.06). Students are able to have their phones in their backpacks but are not allowed to access them during school hours.
Ankeny school board members vote in favor of new cell phone policy
September 17, 2024
The Ankeny student section showed their support by dressing out in red, white, and blue for the Ankeny versus Dowling game.
Hawks Triumph Over Number One Ranked Dowling Maroons
September 15, 2024
Ankeny Community School District (ACSD) started the new year with a couple of changes, the new cell phone policy and books that have been pulled from the library. ACSD did not have a choice in the book ban due to state law Senate File 496 (SF 496), but they did spend countless hours reviewing books to only pull what was necessary. “Any book that came off the shelf, I can tell you exactly what page the issue is on,” teacher librarian Jenny Wirtz said.
Ankeny High School starts the year head-on
September 4, 2024
“Piece By Piece” is now playing in theaters near you. The film is rated PG and runs at an hour and 33 minutes. Universal Pictures, Focus Features, Director Morgan Neville
“Piece by Piece:” A creative way to capture the story of Pharrell Williams
October 14, 2024
Engage in some fall fun in Ankeny. Grab a coffee from Porch light and watch a Friday night movie at their outdoor space, or participate in Tuesday night bingo at Uptown garage. You could even take a spooky stroll to see the Halloween Fright Lights. Caption reporting by Caden McGlin Design by Lydia Gerety using Canva
Explore Ankeny’s fall activities and shops
October 11, 2024
“Joker: Folie à Deux” is now playing in a theater near you. The film is rated R and has a runtime of two hours and 18 minutes. Warner Bros. Pictures, Director Todd Phillips
“Joker: Folie à Deux:” A mistake of a sequel
October 9, 2024
Open Mic Night is a collaboration between Ankeny and Centennial. They meet four times a year. Open Mic Night allows students and staff to share their talents in a welcoming environment. Students who enjoy playing guitar, keyboard, or any other instrument, students who want to share their original poetry or who love to sing, or students who just like to tell funny, school-appropriate jokes can come and perform in front of a welcoming audience. Caption reporting by Taylor Rinehart Design by Sam Green using Canva
The night the mic stays open
October 8, 2024
October will be a month full of fun fall themed events you do not want to miss out on!
Local fall events catalog
October 3, 2024
“Piece By Piece” is now playing in theaters near you. The film is rated PG and runs at an hour and 33 minutes. Universal Pictures, Focus Features, Director Morgan Neville
“Piece by Piece:” A creative way to capture the story of Pharrell Williams
October 14, 2024
Design by Olivia Luna using Canva
Seasonal caffeinated concoctions in Ankeny
October 14, 2024
Engage in some fall fun in Ankeny. Grab a coffee from Porch light and watch a Friday night movie at their outdoor space, or participate in Tuesday night bingo at Uptown garage. You could even take a spooky stroll to see the Halloween Fright Lights. Caption reporting by Caden McGlin Design by Lydia Gerety using Canva
Explore Ankeny’s fall activities and shops
October 11, 2024
“Joker: Folie à Deux” is now playing in a theater near you. The film is rated R and has a runtime of two hours and 18 minutes. Warner Bros. Pictures, Director Todd Phillips
“Joker: Folie à Deux:” A mistake of a sequel
October 9, 2024
October will be a month full of fun fall themed events you do not want to miss out on!
Local fall events catalog
October 3, 2024
The Ankeny Hawks traveled to Iowa City Liberty to take on the Liberty Lighting. Junior Andrew Brandhorst is on the field, ready for warm-ups.
Hawks take on Iowa City Liberty in tight matchup
October 13, 2024
Hawkettes huddle after a timeout.
Ankeny comes out on top in competitive showdown against the Waukee Northwest Wolves
October 9, 2024
Senior captains Caden Henkes (5), Andrew Haase (95), Kinnick Vos (3), and Luke Anderson (8) take the field for the coin toss.
Ankeny Hawks take the victory over Cedar Rapids Prairie
October 6, 2024
Junior Daniel Larmie (0) celebrates a touchdown with junior Andrew Brandhorst (13) in the endzone.
Hawks score a homecoming win
September 29, 2024
The Ankeny student section showed their support by dressing out in red, white, and blue for the Ankeny versus Dowling game.
Hawks Triumph Over Number One Ranked Dowling Maroons
September 15, 2024
Design by Olivia Luna using Canva
Seasonal caffeinated concoctions in Ankeny
October 14, 2024
Fellowship of Christian Athletes (FCA) Meets every Friday morning, 7:50, in the upstairs study hall room. Then one Monday a month they have their huddle. “God is for everybody, so it doesn't matter if you are athletic or not. We want you there,” science and teacher academy teacher Kristen Campbell-Blumhagen (CB) said.
FCA: Fellowship of Christian Athletes
October 4, 2024
Kevin Daniels poses at a Civil War reenactment event.  Daniels embodies an intense passion for history, showing its artifacts and sharing its stories to anyone willing to listen. His legacy as a history connoisseur inspires future generations. 
Kevin Daniels: History’s Whisperer
October 1, 2024
Ankeny's Visual Adrenaline sings all together in the choir room.
Music’s impact on us
May 23, 2024
Reporting by Grace Risk and Slideshow Slideshow made by Joanna Guerrero using Canva
In loving memory of Evie McLeish
May 21, 2024
The Ankeny student section showed their support by dressing out in red, white, and blue for the Ankeny versus Dowling game.
Hawks Triumph Over Number One Ranked Dowling Maroons
September 15, 2024
Senior Evan Irlmeier evades the Rams’ defense.
Hawks take on Southeast Polk Rams in week 2 road game
September 7, 2024
The Hawks go head to head with the Jags for the snap.
Ankeny Hawks kick off 2024 football season with Centennial Jags
September 2, 2024
Reporting by Grace Risk and Slideshow Slideshow made by Joanna Guerrero using Canva
In loving memory of Evie McLeish
May 21, 2024
For many of the pickleball players, spending time with friends is just as much a part of the league as the game itself. The league is built to be flexible in working around players’ schedules. Because many of the players involved with the Ankeny Pickleball League are busy with other sports and activities, teams are open to finding any time to play, even if it means getting up early on a weekend for a game. On Sunday, May, the Houston Red Rockets and the Big Picklers went head-to-head in an early morning match-up. Sophomore Hayden Carlson hits the ball over the net.
An Ankeny Pickleball League is born
May 21, 2024
This month's theme was to include a rose(s) in your work. Art by Jason Dennis
February Literary Magazine
February 26, 2024
Graphic made by Lydia Gerety using Canva
January Literary Magazine
January 22, 2024
Art by Jason Dennis
December Literary Magazine
December 19, 2023
Art by Owain Hernandez
November Literary Magazine
November 21, 2023
This is the debut of The Talon's literary magazine. With a new theme each month, our October theme is: horror. Get ready for some eerie poetry and some haunting tales that will send shivers down your spine. These words will invade your nightmares, and just in time for the spooky Halloween season. Art by Eos Gustafson
October Literary Magazine
October 13, 2023
  • 10/7 Volleyball: 8th vs. Ankeny Southview
  • 10/7 Football: 10/JV vs. Ankeny High School
  • 10/7 Volleyball: 9th vs. Ankeny Centennial High School, Dowling Catholic, WDM Valley
  • 10/7 School Board meeting
  • 10/7 Football: JV vs. Prairie
  • 10/8 Golf: Boys Varsity vs. TBD
  • 10/8 Boys and Girl 8th Cross Country
  • 10/8 Football: 8th vs. Valley
  • 10/8 Volleyball: 10th vs. Ankeny High School
  • 10/8 Volleyball: 9th vs. Ankeny High School
  • 10/8 AHS open mic night
  • 10/8 Swimming: Girls JV and Varsity vs. Ankeny Girls Swimming
  • 10/8 Volleyball: JV vs. Ankeny High School
  • 10/8 Volleyball: Varsity vs. Ankeny High School
  • 10/10 Cross Country: Girls and Boys JV+Varsity meet vs. Ankeny High School
  • 10/10 AHS Parent/Teacher Conferences
  • 10/10 Volleyball: 8th vs. Prairieview
  • 10/10 SV Parent/Teacher conferences
  • 10/10 Volleyball: 8th vs. Prairieview
  • 10/10 Swimming: Girls JV vs. Ankeny Girls Swimming
  • 10/10 Swimming: Girls Varsity vs. Ankeny GIrls Swimming
  • 10/10 Football: 9th vs. Iowa City Liberty
  • 10/11 Golf: Boys Varsity vs. TBA
  • 10/11 Football: Varsity vs. Iowa City Liberty
  • 10/12 Band Performance
  • 10/12 Golf: Boys Varsity
The Talon
The Talon
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Hawkettes take on Valley in a battle to the buzzer

Ava Gifford, Sports and Photo Editor
February 21, 2024
Ava Gifford
In the second round of the playoffs, the Hawkettes faced Valley in a close matchup. Senior Karsen Jacks avoids a defender.
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The Ankeny student section showed their support by dressing out in red, white, and blue for the Ankeny versus Dowling game.
Hawks Triumph Over Number One Ranked Dowling Maroons
Senior Evan Irlmeier evades the Rams’ defense.
Hawks take on Southeast Polk Rams in week 2 road game
The Hawks go head to head with the Jags for the snap.
Ankeny Hawks kick off 2024 football season with Centennial Jags
Reporting by Grace Risk and Slideshow Slideshow made by Joanna Guerrero using Canva
In loving memory of Evie McLeish
For many of the pickleball players, spending time with friends is just as much a part of the league as the game itself. The league is built to be flexible in working around players’ schedules. Because many of the players involved with the Ankeny Pickleball League are busy with other sports and activities, teams are open to finding any time to play, even if it means getting up early on a weekend for a game. On Sunday, May, the Houston Red Rockets and the Big Picklers went head-to-head in an early morning match-up. Sophomore Hayden Carlson hits the ball over the net.
An Ankeny Pickleball League is born
Award-winning podcasters, The Gray Room, review theme songs to some of your favorite shows! Can you say nostalgia? Design by Charlie Christensen using Vista Print
The Gray Room Podcast
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“Piece By Piece” is now playing in theaters near you. The film is rated PG and runs at an hour and 33 minutes. Universal Pictures, Focus Features, Director Morgan Neville
"Piece by Piece:" A creative way to capture the story of Pharrell Williams
Design by Olivia Luna using Canva
Seasonal caffeinated concoctions in Ankeny
The Ankeny Hawks traveled to Iowa City Liberty to take on the Liberty Lighting. Junior Andrew Brandhorst is on the field, ready for warm-ups.
Hawks take on Iowa City Liberty in tight matchup
Engage in some fall fun in Ankeny. Grab a coffee from Porch light and watch a Friday night movie at their outdoor space, or participate in Tuesday night bingo at Uptown garage. You could even take a spooky stroll to see the Halloween Fright Lights. Caption reporting by Caden McGlin Design by Lydia Gerety using Canva
Explore Ankeny’s fall activities and shops
“Joker: Folie à Deux” is now playing in a theater near you. The film is rated R and has a runtime of two hours and 18 minutes. Warner Bros. Pictures, Director Todd Phillips
“Joker: Folie à Deux:” A mistake of a sequel
Hawkettes huddle after a timeout.
Ankeny comes out on top in competitive showdown against the Waukee Northwest Wolves
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Senior captains Caden Henkes (5), Andrew Haase (95), Kinnick Vos (3), and Luke Anderson (8) take the field for the coin toss.
Ankeny Hawks take the victory over Cedar Rapids Prairie
Junior Daniel Larmie (0) celebrates a touchdown with junior Andrew Brandhorst (13) in the endzone.
Hawks score a homecoming win
Talon reporter Levi Foster talks about who he thinks will win the Cy Young (best pitcher), Most Valuable Player (MVP), and Rookie of the Year for the American League and the National League. Infographic made by Levi Foster using Canva
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On March 7th, the Ankeny Hawks took on Cedar Rapids Kennedy in the semifinal round of the State Tournament. Cedar Rapids came out on top with a score of 51-63.
Hawks close out an impressive season in Semifinal matchup against Cedar Rapids Kennedy
About the Contributor
Ava Gifford
Ava Gifford, Sports and Photo Editor
Ava Gifford is a Junior at Ankeny High School. She is involved in Key Club and writing sports stories for the Talon. Ava is involved as a leader in her youth group, enjoys photography, writes music, and plays the piano and guitar. One fun fact about Ava is that her favorite season is fall because she loves when the leaves start to change and when it’s time for apple cider.
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