The Talon

The Student News Site of Ankeny High School

The Talon

The Talon

The AHS student section hold up flashlights during the Homecoming game against Valley High School at Ankeny’s stadium on Sept. 30, 2022.

Football student sections: the reality

Ava Tomlinson, Web/Print/Multimedia Editor 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...

The 2022-2023 school year marks Dr. Daniel Johnsons first year as AHS principal. According to staff and students alike, it has not taken long for Dr. Johnson to make an impact by becoming more of a presence. From senior selfies and inspiring all to have a Hawksome day, Dr. Johnson is establishing a culture at AHS that supports every individual in the  Hawk nest.

Defining Hawk culture

Ava Tomlinson, Web/Print/Multimedia Editor March 30, 2023

Approaching the 2022 to 2023 school year, students and staff were curious as to who would fill the principal position for Ankeny High School (AHS). With five of six administration positions being replaced,...

Senior J Walters hopes to continue their pursuit of public speaking in the future. Their ability to connect and share messages with people is something they want to continue. “Im going to UNI to become an art teacher, senior J Walters said. If there is not already a speech coach, I’m determined to become one. I want to stick to speech and performing at least as a hobby. The idea of this just being the end doesn’t sit right with me.”

Senior J Walters: All-State bound

Joanna Guerrero, Social Media Editor March 29, 2023

After seven years Ankeny High School had a student present for the Individual All State Festival hosted by Iowa High School Speech Association (IHSSA). And senior J Walters, a well-spoken talented individual,...

Senior Sam Stember plays  trumpet in the band room after school. His main instruments are tuba and bass trombone.“The fact that Sam is such a talented musician and the fact that he can play equally as good on bass trombone in Jazz Ensemble as he can on tuba in Concert Band and sousaphone in Marching Band [demonstrates how] Sam is a well-rounded, versatile musician,” Jennifer Williams, head director of Ankeny High School Bands, said.

It’s okay, he’s with the band

Vivian Wu, Web/Print/Multimedia Editor; Videographer March 23, 2023

In the sweltering summer heat, kids with hands full of instruments trudge towards Ankeny High School for marching band practice. But one person is not just walking towards the field; he’s making loud...

The Iowa High School Speech Association (IHSSA) is the organization that allows speech and other activities like it happen in the state of Iowa. Their only requirement for someone to participate in group or individual speech is to “stay academically eligible.” The next competition will be the individual speech state competition at Ames High School on Saturday, March 11.

Just speechy

Scott Kruse, Business Editor March 9, 2023

Although the Ankeny football field has been silent and frosted over for many months now, the cross-country runner’s shoes are shoved to the back of the closet, and the marching band's snare drums are...

Locking down language learning

Locking down language learning

Julien Noble, Design Editor March 6, 2023

AHS football players Joe Kingston, Jamison Patton, JJ Kohl, and Drew Monsivais on the field.

Inside the life of a student-athlete

Adam Mein, Staff Reporter January 10, 2023

The life of a student-athlete is very hard to control when handling it as a high schooler. Student-athletes need to make sure they are keeping their grades up by focusing in class. They also need to make...

AHS Principal Daniel Johnson sits in his office getting ready for the day.

Dr. Daniel Johnson takes on Ankeny High School

Ava Tomlinson, Web/Print/Multimedia Editor January 9, 2023

It feels like electricity is surging throughout the school. Everyone is excited for the homecoming game on Friday. As you walk into the school you see someone in the distance, welcoming kids into the building,...

Let’s BeReal about social media

Drew Taylor, Social Media Co-editor; Staff Reporter January 6, 2023

Let's “Be Real” Ankeny High School, in the very modern 21st century, social media has become an essential aspect of our everyday lives. Snapchat, Instagram, Facebook, and Twitter are just a few social...

Ankeny Community School Districts Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion (DEI) Framework was developed over the course of 2021 to 2022 in order to outline how the district will achieve its goals of success for every student and continuous improvement through informing strategic planning, policy and practice decisions, staffing decisions, and professional development.

Diversity, equity, inclusion (DEI): What is it?

Julien Noble, Design Editor January 4, 2023

Information about how Ankeny Schools uses the DEI Framework and Title IX can also be found on the Ankeny Community School District website.

“SOS”

Rose McGill, Staff Reporter December 22, 2022

On Dec. 3, SZA announced on “Saturday Night Live” that she would be releasing an album titled “SOS” on Dec. 9, 2022. With “SOS” being SZA’s first album release in five years, fans were...

The Alibis cast in costume rehearsing during tech week on Wednesday, Nov. 2.  The fall play had its opening show Friday, Nov. 4. There are two additional showings Saturday, Nov. 5 at 7:00 p.m. and Sunday, Nov. 6 at 2:00 p.m.

All hands on deck

Joanna Guerrero , Social Media Editor November 5, 2022

Entering Mollie Jo Blahunka’s room, head of Ankeny’s drama department and English teacher, it is filled with laughter and chatter from the crew and cast members of the fall play, The Alibis. Some of...

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