The Talon

The Student News Site of Ankeny High School
Visual Adrenaline (VA) performing the last song of Fall Preview. VA is an award winning mixed varsity show choir at Ankeny High School and is choreographed by Kevin Walters and directed by Ben Walters.
A day of show choir
November 16, 2023
Ankeny High School offers a multitude of college-level courses students can take as early as eighth grade. Select students are offered to take courses through DMACC (Des Moines Area Community College) to get a head start on their high school credits, as well as build a college transcript.
Preparing for life after high school
November 15, 2023
Ankenys Girls Who Code club meet every Friday during Hawk Time with robotics coach and computer programming teacher Jennifer Poole in room 2301. Girls Who Code is open to all genders. The club explores coding, digital design, algorithms, and the computer science options offered at AHS.
Computer science empowers Ankeny women
November 9, 2023
Campaign signs dot yards across Ankeny in anticipation of the upcoming Ankeny School Board election tomorrow, Tuesday, Nov. 7.
Ankeny School Board elections Nov. 7: What you should know
November 6, 2023
Lukis Beroth (71) hugs Coach Jack Ward after the Ankeny victory.
Ankeny shocks Dowling in quarterfinal victory
November 5, 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
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
“Five Nights at Freddy’s” is now in theaters such as B&B Theaters, Cinemark, and streaming on Peacock. The movie is rated PG-13 and produced by Blumhouse Productions.
“Five Nights at Freddy’s”: A flawed yet enjoyable horror movie
October 27, 2023
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
Junior Lukis Beroth (left), junior Jack Dorfler (middle), and senior Evan Spence (right) are all business as they prepare to take on Southeast Polk.
The Band of Brothers wrap up an amazing season as Ankeny faces Southeast Polk in the State Championship
November 20, 2023
The Hawks are ready to take down the Centennial Jaguars.
Hawks run this town
November 12, 2023
Lukis Beroth (71) hugs Coach Jack Ward after the Ankeny victory.
Ankeny shocks Dowling in quarterfinal victory
November 5, 2023
Coach Brady Walz gathers the football team together between plays during the Johnston Dragons game on Oct. 27. For Ankeny’s football players, it is important to balance an intense practice schedule with academics throughout the week.
Behind the jersey: how football players find balance
November 3, 2023
The Hawks celebrate their win in the end zone .
Ankeny takes victory over Johnston to move onto quarterfinals
October 29, 2023
Sophomore Tarynn Hoffman-Muff uses Murrow, an AI-powered journalistic writing program, to create an outline for a story. The program thoroughly explains the steps needed for a successful piece and provides positive feedback and encouragement. This is just one example of AI’s top-tier teaching techniques used to build confidence in the student and reinforce their responses.
Artificial Intelligence in schools: Tool or weapon?
November 8, 2023
There’s some new faces at Ankeny High
There’s some new faces at Ankeny High
September 1, 2023
Saying goodbye is never easy. These 10 Ankeny High (AHS) teachers say goodbye to the Hawk Nest by sharing some of their fondest memories and experiences during their time at AHS.
Farewell to some Hawksome educators
June 2, 2023
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
Sprinkling sparkles
September 7, 2023
Nest News #2- Week of 9/4/23
September 7, 2023
Nest News #1- Week of 9/28/23
September 7, 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
The Talon Talks is the Talons weekly podcast featuring in-depth interviews and student-run segments.
Episode 2: The Talon Talks Podcast
May 17, 2022
November Literary Magazine
November Literary Magazine
November 21, 2023
This is the debut of The Talons literary magazine. With a new theme each month, our October theme is: horror. Get ready for some eerie poetry and some haunting tales that will send shivers down your spine. These words will invade your nightmares, and just in time for the spooky Halloween season.
October Literary Magazine
October 13, 2023

The Talon

The Talon
November Literary Magazine

November Literary Magazine

Owain Hernandez, Taylor Walker, and Arwen Johnson • November 21, 2023

Poetry By Junior Owain Hernandez "Turkey" The cooked turkey on the table is starting to get cold. How many more days will it sit till it starts to get old? Why has no one carved the turkey yet? Perhaps...

Junior Lukis Beroth (left), junior Jack Dorfler (middle), and senior Evan Spence (right) are all business as they prepare to take on Southeast Polk.

The Band of Brothers wrap up an amazing season as Ankeny faces Southeast Polk in the State Championship

Ava Gifford, Staff Reporter • November 20, 2023

Visual Adrenaline (VA) performing the last song of Fall Preview. VA is an award winning mixed varsity show choir at Ankeny High School and is choreographed by Kevin Walters and directed by Ben Walters.

A day of show choir

Joanna Guerrero, Social Media Editor • November 16, 2023

Ankeny’s show choirs have been busy learning their new competition show for the new 2023-2024 season. On Nov. 11, they had the chance to perform a part of their new show during Fall Preview so Ankeny...

Ankeny High School offers a multitude of college-level courses students can take as early as eighth grade. Select students are offered to take courses through DMACC (Des Moines Area Community College) to get a head start on their high school credits, as well as build a college transcript.

Preparing for life after high school

Josie Babcock, Staff Reporter • November 15, 2023

The Ankeny Community School District is known for its diligent academics and highly involved student body. Much of this success is due to the district’s Five-Year Strategic Plan, which was implemented...

The Hawks are ready to take down the Centennial Jaguars.

Hawks run this town

Ava Gifford, Staff Reporter • November 12, 2023

Two Ankeny football teams squared off in a rematch for a spot in the state championship game at the University of Northern Iowa (UNI)-Dome on Friday, Nov. 10. Both the Centennial Jaguars and the Ankeny...

Ankenys Girls Who Code club meet every Friday during Hawk Time with robotics coach and computer programming teacher Jennifer Poole in room 2301. Girls Who Code is open to all genders. The club explores coding, digital design, algorithms, and the computer science options offered at AHS.

Computer science empowers Ankeny women

Eos Gustafson, Staff Reporter • November 9, 2023

In 2021, about two-thirds, or 65 percent of STEM (science, technology, engineering, and mathematics) jobs were held by men. While only one-third, around 35 percent were held by women, the National Science...

Sophomore Tarynn Hoffman-Muff uses Murrow, an AI-powered journalistic writing program, to create an outline for a story. The program thoroughly explains the steps needed for a successful piece and provides positive feedback and encouragement. This is just one example of AI’s top-tier teaching techniques used to build confidence in the student and reinforce their responses.

Artificial Intelligence in schools: Tool or weapon?

Jordan Goemann, Staff Reporter • November 8, 2023

As AI keeps making its way into different areas of our lives, it's becoming a big deal in education too. Schools worldwide are bringing AI tools into classrooms, changing how students learn and teachers...

Campaign signs dot yards across Ankeny in anticipation of the upcoming Ankeny School Board election tomorrow, Tuesday, Nov. 7.

Ankeny School Board elections Nov. 7: What you should know

Nolan McNulty, Staff Reporter • November 6, 2023

Ankeny Schools have an upcoming election to determine who will take the five open seats (four four-year term positions and one two-year term position) on the Ankeny School Board with 10 candidates that...

Lukis Beroth (71) hugs Coach Jack Ward after the Ankeny victory.

Ankeny shocks Dowling in quarterfinal victory

Ava Gifford, Staff Reporter • November 5, 2023

At Williams field on the night of Nov. 3, Ankeny arrived in force to defeat the Dowling Maroons in a stunning win that earned them a trip to the University of Northern Iowa-Dome.  The Maroons entered...

Seniors Brenna Fast and Ava Tomlinson, and juniors Faith Spoelstra, and Kaylyn Miller showcase their coloring pages. Students worked the coloring station helping kids color sheets in the Day of the Dead celebration hosted by Spanish Honor Society at Kirkendall Library. “We put this event together to expand the knowledge of the people in our community about Dia de los Muertos and Spanish culture,” Miller said.

SHS brings Day of the Dead celebration to Ankeny families

Joanna Guerrero, Social Media Editor • November 5, 2023

On Thursday Nov. 2 Spanish Honor Society (SHS) alongside Kirkendall Public Library brought Day of the Dead for the community of Ankeny to experience and enjoy. Families and kids were able to indulge in...

Coach Brady Walz gathers the football team together between plays during the Johnston Dragons game on Oct. 27. For Ankeny’s football players, it is important to balance an intense practice schedule with academics throughout the week.

Behind the jersey: how football players find balance

Ava Gifford, Staff Reporter • November 3, 2023

At Ankeny High School, football is an important way for many students to connect, support each other, and show their school spirit. At an Ankeny football game, the crowd screams in support, dressed in...

Some of the cast and crew members on Monday Oct. 30 for the first day of tech week in English and drama teacher Mollie Jo Blahunka’s room. “Just looking around the room at how many people are here and how hard theyve all been working and that so many of the elements were handmade and painted by students is amazing,” Blahunka said. “They are all so wonderful and really hard working. The motto of our department is that theater is a team sport, and I think everyone has been really good team players.”

Laugh the weekend away: “You Can’t Take It With You” premieres this weekend

Joanna Guerrero, Social Media Editor • November 2, 2023

Tech week has been underway for the production “You Can’t Take It With You” for the Ankeny drama production. This Friday, Nov. 2 is opening night for families and students to enjoy.  “You Can’t...

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