![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)
Running for the school board is a challenging process. From the publicity phase to actually securing the votes, Jeff Schumacher, Joy Burk, Roxanne Peterson, and Julian Rachu are gearing up for the three open seats on the Ankeny School Board in the election on Tuesday, Nov. 4.
These candidates have reportedly put blood, sweat, and tears into the election process and their campaigns,
School board candidates rely heavily on their supporters throughout their campaign.
For Burk it is her husband Nathan Burk, who is always there to support, willing to help Burk through tough moments such as the election process.
“My husband has been the biggest supporter of this process, and he knows that I’ll have to sometimes work late or not be as present as I’d like to be, but I try to be as present as possible when I get home,” Burk said. “Some things I just can’t do during the day.”
For Ankeny High School (AHS) alumni Julian Rachu, his parents are always there to lift him up.
“For me, I’d say my parents have been the biggest influence and support for me during this election process, and I couldn’t ask for a better support system,” Rachu said.
This election’s candidates come from different backgrounds and all have different stories.
2025 AHS graduate, Rachu, is studying criminal justice and psychology at Des Moines Area Community College (DMACC). He plans to join the Federal Bureau of Investigation (FBI) after finishing his studies at Iowa State.
“I just graduated from Ankeny High School in 2025, which shows that yes, I’m young, but I still bring a lot to the table to the school board,” Rachu said.
Burk is running for re-election.
“I graduated from Ankeny High School, then I went on to study at University of Northern Iowa (UNI), and then got my master’s in curriculum and instruction at Northern Arizona University,” Burk said.
Each candidate is vying for the three seats on the school board, but they all have unique motivations.
“I want to be on the school board again because I want to be a part of the decision-making of the school district, and help out the administration of all the schools,” Burk said.
Rachu was heavily impacted by the Ankeny School Board during the COVID-19 pandemic, and now he wants to make an impact on that same board, and his hometown.
“I’m running for the school board because I want to give back to the community that helped me through a lot,”Rachu said.
Rachu said he wants to give back to the community that supported him, while Burk noted that her teaching experience at Ashland Ridge inspired her to aim for a broader impact on students.
“I had no intention of running for the school board when graduating from AHS. I just wanted to get my degree in elementary education and then my master’s in curriculum and instruction,” Burk said. “After teaching at Ashland Ridge, it helped me decide to want to make a bigger impact on the students.”
Rachu emphasises the many lessons he learned from his parents.
“My mother works in the post office, and my dad is an electrician, and I have learned some of the most important values that guide me today: hard work, integrity, compassion, and dedication,” Rachu stated. “While attending AHS, I worked a part-time job at TJ Bagels, which taught me responsibility and time management at a young age.”
Not only was Rachu involved as part of the Ankeny work-force, he played an active role in his school community.
“[Rachu] had a very helpful personality. He was willing to help and always has had a yes attitude toward anything he does,” English teacher and student council sponsor Emina Kovacevic said.
While Kovacevic highlighted Rachu’s helpful nature and positive attitude, Burk reflected on the challenges and rewards of serving on the school board.
“It’s rewarding to be at the center of all the district’s decisions. And the toughest part of being on the board is hearing all the voices and listening to the noise,” Burk expressed.
Board members know the volunteer role demands significant time, but their families see the small personal sacrifice as worth the impact on the district and community.
Alongside Rachu and Burk, Jeff Schumacher, a former Ankeny principal with 28 years of experience in the district, and Roxanne Petersen, a longtime Ankeny resident and active community volunteer, are also running for the three open seats on the Ankeny School Board.
“I want to give back to the community that helped me through high school and through a big chunk of my life,” Rachu said.
