The Talon

The Student News Site of Ankeny High School
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
Will the paper towel dispensers be replenished this school year? The answer is not likely, according to AHS administration. Bathroom incidents are on the rise and this is causing frustrations on all fronts.
Students get answers about paper towels in bathrooms
April 5, 2022
AHSs mixed varsity show choir Visual Adrenaline performs Heal Their Their hearts/Freedom at the Southeast Polk Ramification Showcase on Feb. 26. This performance won them third place overall.
Show Choir: the pretty, the gritty, and the challenges
March 25, 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
From the strangest gifts received to holiday foods and traditions, AHS students and staff share some holiday favorites.
Happy holidays, AHS
December 14, 2021
Gift shopping is one of the most recognized traditions each holiday season. What is your plan for gifting this season for the ones you love?
Holiday shopping gift guide
December 10, 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
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
With high confidence and great senior leadership, the Ankeny Hawkette volleyball team began their road to defending their state championship title on Tuesday, Aug. 24
Hawkette volleyball season recap
November 24, 2021
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
May 31, 2022
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
May 30, 2022
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
May 6, 2022
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
January 13, 2022
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
January 12, 2022

The Talon

The Talon
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

Gabby Risk, Staff Reporter; Web Editor • May 5, 2022

When it comes to high school, grades can be a huge part of a student’s success. But how much is too much? At Ankeny High School, students voice their opinions about how the pressure to perform well academically...

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

Raj Vincent Bete, Staff Reporter • May 3, 2022

Due to the COVID-19 pandemic, colleges and universities are reconsidering the necessity for standardized testing in their admission process. As the new approaches are being applied to the standards, a...

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’?

Lauren Kemp, Editor; Staff Reporter • April 14, 2022

The Ankeny High School Gay-Straight Alliance (GSA) and Student Political Engagement Club (SPEC) plan to host a fundraiser before and after school on Tuesday, April 19 to support transgender students and...

Will the paper towel dispensers be replenished this school year? The answer is not likely, according to AHS administration. Bathroom incidents are on the rise and this is causing frustrations on all fronts.

Students get answers about paper towels in bathrooms

Sophia Rohlfing, Staff Reporter • April 5, 2022

Do you wonder why there are no paper towels in the student bathrooms? The Tik Tok trend “devious licks,” saw the destruction and vandalism of Ankeny High and with it the removal of the paper towels...

AHSs mixed varsity show choir Visual Adrenaline performs Heal Their Their hearts/Freedom at the Southeast Polk Ramification Showcase on Feb. 26. This performance won them third place overall.

Show Choir: the pretty, the gritty, and the challenges

Scott Kruse, Staff Reporter; Social Media Manager • March 25, 2022

Show choir is one of Ankeny High School’s (AHS) longer-running activities and one that comes with a lot of behind-the-scenes time commitments. Despite this, members manage to find joy in show choir and...

The topics of school mask mandates and vaccines has been widely polarizing as schools across the country open up for in-person learning. On Dec. 7, the Ankeny School Board voted to discontinue the mask mandate for the Ankeny Community School District beginning Dec. 8. “It’s everyones choice; they arent saying you can’t wear a mask. They’re just saying for the people who don’t want to, then they arent forced to, which I’m not big into, but I literally got vaccinated for a reason,” junior Sharice Mamuya said.

The fate of mask mandates, vaccines, and the lawsuit that changed Iowa

Dominic Luna, Social Planner • December 15, 2021

As of Dec. 8, masks have become optional to staff and students in the Ankeny  Community School District (ACSD). This decision was determined by a 4-3 vote made by the ACSD School Board on Dec. 7. The...

The 2021 Ankeny School Board, City Council, and Mayoral election winners.

Ankeny local election results

Jemma Bullock, Staff Reporter; Movie Reviewer • 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...

Seniors Morgan Gholson and Grace Gibbons pick up trash at the Student Political Engagement Club (SPEC) parking lot pickup event on Oct. 14, 2021.

Parking lot problems, protest of dissent?

Elisabeth Poock and Katie Hernandez • October 28, 2021

Throughout the past year, there has been an increase in the amount of trash from students in the parking lots of Ankeny High School (AHS). From food wrappers to chewed-up gum, the pathway into the high...

The Talon News team held a press conference with five of the seven candidates running for Ankeny School Board election on Thursday, Oct. 28 at Ankeny High School. Candidates spoke on a wide variety of topics including the importance of empowering leadership, diversity and inclusion, and providing safe and welcoming environments for all in the Ankeny Community School District. Candidates pictured from left to right: Lori Bullock, Joy Burk, Shelly Northway, Lori Lovstad, and Sarah Barthole

A conversation with Ankeny School Board candidates

Jemma Bullock, Abby Stephenson, Autumn Mulford, Vivian Wu, and Luke Mora • October 28, 2021

With local elections approaching, the Talon news team met with five of the seven Ankeny School Board candidates looking to fill the three open seats. Candidates Joy Burk, Lori Bullock, Sarah Barthole,...

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