The Talon

The Student News Site of Ankeny High School
The National Champion Mock Trial team has placed Ankeny in the highest level, a level not typically seen for public schools. “There were tons of Ivy League prep schools—like the $40,000+ a year Princeton Day School from New Jersey that we eliminated in the second round—and so Ankeny stood out as a public school,” assistant coach of the Miller-Metzger Academy, Joe Metzger said. “We showed that not only can public school kids compete with prestigious prep schools. We can beat them.”
AHS Mock Trial: National Champions
May 24, 2023
The Miller-Metzger Academy with their coaches. From left to right: Stephanie Gray, Hannah Pross, Nicki Casady, Sareena Casady, Marissa Larson-Minar, Mallory Jordan, Hayden DeWitt, Chloe Andersen, Grant Miner, Marcus Miller, Noah Yeager, Joe Metzger, Raegan Hansen, Amy Akers.
AHS Mock Trial team wins State, Nationals next
April 6, 2023
The 2022-2023 school year has been the first year at Ankeny High for many administrators including Principal Dr. Daniel Johnson. Administrators hope to improve and build relationships with students at Ankeny High School. “We are being transparent and being communicative to build relationships [with students]., Dr. Johnson said. One reason why you always see me in the hallways.”
Restorative practices equal positive behaviors
March 28, 2023
Ankeny students rally just outside of Ankeny High School holding pride flags and listening to speakers share personal stories about empowerment, frustrations, and hurt with regards to anti-LGBTQ legislation. Ankeny High School students took part in a state-wide walkout along with 46 other schools and a total of 10,000 students on March 1. The walkout, organized by the Iowa Queer Student Alliance and Iowa WTF, was formed in response to recent legislation circulating the capitol. An estimated number of 150 students, grade 8-12, walked outside of the high school, waving rainbow flags and holding posters.
The march continues
March 5, 2023
“Everyone is welcome no matter what part of the community youre a part of or not a part of, Iowa QSA and Iowa WTF member, walk out organizer, and senior Jemma Bullock said. The walk out seeks to bring attention to recent legislation in Iowa. Iowa WTF put together a list of Iowa legislative bills to watch. The group, according to their Instagram page is “A coalition of young people fighting discriminatory legislation through advocacy, activism, and civic engagement.”
AHS students to take part in state-wide walkout against recent legislation
February 28, 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
“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 rivalry
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
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
March 31, 2023
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
March 30, 2023
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
March 29, 2023
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
March 23, 2023
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
March 9, 2023

The Talon

The Talon
The National Champion Mock Trial team has placed Ankeny in the highest level, a level not typically seen for public schools. “There were tons of Ivy League prep schools—like the $40,000+ a year Princeton Day School from New Jersey that we eliminated in the second round—and so Ankeny stood out as a public school,” assistant coach of the Miller-Metzger Academy, Joe Metzger said. “We showed that not only can public school kids compete with prestigious prep schools. We can beat them.”

AHS Mock Trial: National Champions

Joanna Guerrero and Vivian Wu • May 24, 2023

For the first time in the history of Ankeny High School, the Mock Trial team won the National High School Mock Trial Championship. The championship was hosted in Little Rock, Arkansas from May 18 to the...

The Miller-Metzger Academy with their coaches. From left to right: Stephanie Gray, Hannah Pross, Nicki Casady, Sareena Casady, Marissa Larson-Minar, Mallory Jordan, Hayden DeWitt, Chloe Andersen, Grant Miner, Marcus Miller, Noah Yeager, Joe Metzger, Raegan Hansen, Amy Akers.

AHS Mock Trial team wins State, Nationals next

Vivian Wu, Web/Print/Multimedia Editor; Videographer • April 6, 2023

Ankeny Mock Trial’s Miller-Metzger Academy team won state finals at the 2023 Iowa High School Mock Trial Tournament on Wed., March 29. The team will continue on to the 2023 National High School Mock...

The 2022-2023 school year has been the first year at Ankeny High for many administrators including Principal Dr. Daniel Johnson. Administrators hope to improve and build relationships with students at Ankeny High School. “We are being transparent and being communicative to build relationships [with students]., Dr. Johnson said. One reason why you always see me in the hallways.”

Restorative practices equal positive behaviors

Joanna Guerrero, Social Media Editor • March 28, 2023

Restorative Practice is a progressive way of dealing with disciplinary issues in the classroom. They are strategies that aim to build positive relationships among students with teachers. It focuses on...

Ankeny students rally just outside of Ankeny High School holding pride flags and listening to speakers share personal stories about empowerment, frustrations, and hurt with regards to anti-LGBTQ legislation. Ankeny High School students took part in a state-wide walkout along with 46 other schools and a total of 10,000 students on March 1. The walkout, organized by the Iowa Queer Student Alliance and Iowa WTF, was formed in response to recent legislation circulating the capitol. An estimated number of 150 students, grade 8-12, walked outside of the high school, waving rainbow flags and holding posters.

The march continues

Vivian Wu, Web/Print/Multimedia Editor; Videographer • March 5, 2023

Protests, marches, and walkouts continue across Iowa as anti-LGBTQ legislation makes its way to the Capitol. So far 33 anti-LGBTQ laws have been introduced at the Iowa Capitol. Among these are House...

“Everyone is welcome no matter what part of the community youre a part of or not a part of, Iowa QSA and Iowa WTF member, walk out organizer, and senior Jemma Bullock said. The walk out seeks to bring attention to recent legislation in Iowa. Iowa WTF put together a list of Iowa legislative bills to watch. The group, according to their Instagram page is “A coalition of young people fighting discriminatory legislation through advocacy, activism, and civic engagement.”

AHS students to take part in state-wide walkout against recent legislation

Vivian Wu, Web/Print/Multimedia Editor; Videographer • February 28, 2023

On Wednesday, March 1, at 1:05 p.m., students from Ankeny High School will take part in a walkout for LGBTQ+ rights, along with 14 other Iowa public schools. These walkouts are in protest of the recent...

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’

Noa Jones, Editor; Staff Reporter • November 21, 2022

Ankeny Community School District’s new five-year strategic plan begins implementation this school year, and is intended to guide district-wide improvements in various areas. The strategic plan can be...

Awareness behind it all

Natalie Jasso and Kaylie Brandhorst  • November 7, 2022

Ankeny High School students admit to being unaware to policies, laws, bills, and the educational stake in the upcoming midterm elections in Iowa.  Midterm elections are just around the corner on Nov....

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, Business Editor • 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...

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