![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)
Ankeny local election results
The 2021 local election results for Ankeny Mayor, City Council, and School Board are in
The 2021 Ankeny School Board, City Council, and Mayoral election winners.
November 3, 2021
The polls for the 2021 elections for Ankeny School Board, City Council, and Mayor closed on Nov. 2 at 8 p.m. and results were coming in 21 minutes later. The official election results were posted at 8:55 p.m. the same day by the Polk County Auditor, Jamie Fitzgerald.
Ankeny Mayor-Elect Mark. E. Holms earned a total of 14,371 votes. Holms received 8625 (59.91 percent) and opponent Micheal Moore received 5746 (39.91 percent) of the votes.
“I am excited to transition into a leadership role rather than a policy role, which I fulfilled during my years on the City Council. So I’m excited to have a more prominent role in the community to help more people out,” Holms said.
City Council winners are Kelly Whiting and Joe Ruddy. With a total of 27,280 votes cast, Whiting received 7911 (28.96 percent) and Ruddy received 7381 (27.02 percent) of the votes. Opponents Bill Lu received 6172 (22.59 percent) and Nathan Willard received 5816 (21.29 percent) of the votes.
Ankeny School Board winners are Joy Burk, Trent Murphy, and Sarah Barthole. With a total of 46,690 votes cast, Burk received 8503 (18.20 percent), Murphy received 8388 (17.95 percent), and Barthole received 8165 (17.48 percent) of the votes. Opponents Lori Lovstad received 7316 (15.66 percent), Lori Bullock received 7282 (15.59 percent), Shelly Northway received 6564 (14.05 percent), and Christian Mathew Holtz received 472 (1.01 percent) of the votes.
¨I want to start working with the students… I want to make sure that all students know that they have someone in the district who supports them and someone who will listen,” Burk said. “I want to start listening to the community and making sure that everyone gets a voice and that everyone is heard.”
To recap, the 2021 election winners are Mayor-elects Mark E. Holms, City Council-Elects Kelly Whiting and Joe Ruddy, and School Board-Elects Joy Burk, Trent Murphy, and Sarah Barthole.
Newly elected School Board members’ term will begin on Nov. 16, while newly-elected City Council members and the Mayor-Elect’s term will begin January of 2022.
![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)
