The Talon

The Student News Site of Ankeny High School

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...

 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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