The Talon

The Student News Site of Ankeny High School
The Ankeny Community School Districts current strategic plan, which outlines the districts operations from 2022 to 2027, is divided into three pillars, each representing a set of goals relating to a different part of the education process. The first focuses on preparing students for success after high school, the second focuses on effective teachers, building leadership, and other staff throughout the district, and the third focuses on providing students with a learning environment that enhances education.
‘This is a five year plan, and this is only year one’
November 21, 2022
Midterm elections in Iowa are on Tuesday, November 8. Voters will have the opportunity to vote for governor as well as House and Senate candidates on the state and national level.
Awareness behind it all
November 7, 2022
AHS students spend their open period studying in the library. Many students have crowded the library since the beginning of the year to find a quiet space to work on homework. “The library is really nice to study in because it is really quiet,” junior Sophie Rolfing said.
Grades vs. mental health: students voice their concerns
May 5, 2022
The pandemic changes perceptions and protocols when it comes to standardized testing. When schools put intense pressure on students to get a high ACT score, students begin to define their intelligence through their score which isnt always a fair representation, junior Jayda Archer said.
COVID-19 impacts: standardized testing
May 3, 2022
Ankeny High School Gay-Straight Alliance (GSA) and Student Political Engagement Club (SPEC) will host a fundraiser on Tuesday, April 19 to support transgender students and bring awareness to legislation recently put in place, such as House File 2416.
‘Victory for girls’ sports’?
April 14, 2022
Shown here is a BeReal posted by AHS senior Drew Taylor with fellow AHS students at a football game.
Let’s BeReal about social media
January 6, 2023
“SOS” was released on Dec 9, 2022. Since the release of the album, “SOS” has reached over 404 million on-demand streams.
“SOS”
December 22, 2022
From plans over winter break to the most cherished gift during th eholiday season, Ankeny Hawks spread cheer for all to hear in this third holiday questions installment.
Hawks spread cheer for all to hear
December 23, 2021
The Talon wishes Ankeny High students, staff, and the community a happy holiday. From students and staff singing their favorite holiday songs to discussing what dessert they would be, get ready to get into the holiday spirit with The Talons second video installment of Holiday Questions.
Holiday Hawks with heart
December 20, 2021
Where can one find the perfect peppermint mocha for this holiday season? This iced peppermint mocha from Starbucks is one of five reviewed.
Peppermint mocha: Coffee Review
December 16, 2021
Pulitzer Prize winning musical artist, Kendrick Lamar, makes quite a comeback with his new album, Mr. Morale & the Big Steppers.
United in Kendrick: a review
May 25, 2022
High prices are a common sight for many students at stations around the Des Moines metro area as well as the U.S. It takes a whole lot more to fill gas tanks right now, and the price does not seem to be plateauing.
OPINION: Price on the rise
May 19, 2022
Doctor Strange In The Multiverse Of Madness is playing at B & B in Ankeny currently through May 25. The science fiction action film is part of the Multiverse franchise and has fans of the Marvel empire talking.
Doctor Strange in the Multiverse of Madness movie review
May 17, 2022
A rainy street in Mons Belgium just begging to be enjoyed by tourists on a stroll. Europe is such an breathtaking continent. The different cultures and countries all in one place is truly amazing. All European countries are different, yet somewhat similar. So if you are traveling across Europe and going through different countries: It is important to keep in mind that while you’re still on the same continent, you are not in the same country.  What I mean by this is that all of these countries, or at least most of them, speak different languages. They have other differences, but this is one of the most important to remember. So, if you were to start your trip in France, and travel to Germany and then maybe to Italy, you have to be prepared for the switch in language.
Tips, tricks, tidbits: Surviving travel in a different country
March 10, 2022
Ankeny esnior guard Ryan Crandall (#5) shoots a jump shot against Valley senior forward Ruot Bijiek (#22).
Reactions to Ankeny’s substate draw: boys basketball
January 28, 2022
AHS football players Joe Kingston, Jamison Patton, JJ Kohl, and Drew Monsivais on the field.
Inside the life of a student-athlete
January 10, 2023
Schmitz (left) and Johnson (right) pose for a photo with Ankeny’s new trophy for tennis team-state quarter finalists. Schmitz and Johnson both played singles against Dowling Catholic during the team state tournament last Saturday, May 21.
The road to state: AHS seniors help take girls’ tennis to new heights
May 24, 2022
Ankeny boys and girls soccer go head to head with a crosstown rivalry showdown for both the Hawks, Hawkettes, and the Jags. Hawk boys senior forward Lucas Newhard (left) and senior starter Connor Wahlburg (right) celebrate against Marshalltown.
Pack the pitch: crosstown rivarly
May 3, 2022
Senior Ryan Crandall (#5) shoots a jump shot against Marshalltown. The Hawks took on Waukee Northwest Dec. 17 with a final score of Waukee Northwest 57 and Hawks 50.
Diving into the statesheet
December 17, 2021
The Ankeny dance team celebrate their team spirit at dance camp.
Ankeny dance team competes at ISDTA state competition
December 3, 2021
AHS football players Joe Kingston, Jamison Patton, JJ Kohl, and Drew Monsivais on the field.
Inside the life of a student-athlete
January 10, 2023
AHS Principal Daniel Johnson sits in his office getting ready for the day.
Dr. Daniel Johnson takes on Ankeny High School
January 9, 2023
Shown here is a BeReal posted by AHS senior Drew Taylor with fellow AHS students at a football game.
Let’s BeReal about social media
January 6, 2023
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?
January 4, 2023
“SOS” was released on Dec 9, 2022. Since the release of the album, “SOS” has reached over 404 million on-demand streams.
“SOS”
December 22, 2022

The Talon

The Talon
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, Staff Reporter • 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, Staff Reporter • 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” was released on Dec 9, 2022. Since the release of the album, “SOS” has reached over 404 million on-demand streams.

“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 , Editor; Staff Reporter; Social Media Manager • 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...

AHS junior Chloe McGrath poses with the stuffed animal chipmunk collection she used to create the video that won her an Upper Midwest Student Production Award from the National Academy of Television and Arts, “Chipmunks Lost in Time.”

Video and Audio Broadcasting is class for people with passion

Brylee Moyer, Staff Reporter • May 31, 2022

Chloe McGrath is a junior at Ankeny High School (AHS) who was nominated to go to the 11th Annual Upper Midwest Emmy Foundation Student Production Awards event in Minneapolis, Minnesota. She went on to...

Social studies teacher Nicholas Covington poses against the whiteboard in his classroom after writing down notes for his economics class. Covington said that it was tough to tell everyone he was leaving, but glad they all understood. “That was the hardest part I think, telling the students because there were audible gasps,” Covington said.

Social studies teacher opens up on departure from Ankeny Schools

Sophie Rohlfing, Staff Reporter; Web Editor • May 30, 2022

Nicholas Covington has worked at Ankeny High School as an Advanced Placement European History and economics teacher since 2012. In Feb. 2022 he announced his resignation from AHS to pursue his further...

The outdoors fall fiesta brings Ankeny High School students to the turf field to eat walking tacos and play a series of fall related games on Oct. 4, 2021.

AHS’ Fellowship of Christian Athletes (FCA) welcomes all

Jaci Shrum, Staff Reporter • May 6, 2022

The Fellowship of Christian Athletes (FCA) is an organization “working to see the world transformed by Jesus Christ through the influence of coaches and athletes,” reports the national organization...

This is a page from “Pasta,” a zine made by sophomore Julien Noble. In this zine, the protagonist makes spaghetti, the swirling noodles symbolize his swirling thoughts, and he is eventually consumed by his anxiety.

Youth in crisis

Vivian Wu, Staff Reporter; Videographer • January 13, 2022

Homework, school, and other activities, worldly problems, personal problems - these are issues that all students face. With so much going on in teens’ lives, it can be difficult to find balance through...

Juniors Brendan Peteresen and Hannah Pross are captivated by the filtered reality on their cell phones. Sometimes the line between expressing your creativity through social media and letting it have too much of a hold on your life is unclear, and an issue both students and even adults can struggle with. Social media is something many have their own take on, and it is often reasoned that it has a light and dark side to its influences.

The filtered reality

Luke Mora, Staff Reporter • January 12, 2022

Social media is arguably one, if not the most prominent, form of communication and entertainment in the 21st Century. From posing for Instagram selfies to dancing in a Tik Tok video, social media is a...

AHS students share their favorite holidays and traditions during the holiday season. “I hope everyone has a great holiday season this year, and have fun and be safe,” senior Grace Gibbins said.

An all-inclusive holiday season

Katie Hernandez, Graphic Designer • December 14, 2021

It is undeniable that the transition between fall and winter brings giddy feelings about the upcoming holiday season. However, it can become easy to get wrapped up in our own traditions and forget about...

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