The Student News Site of Ankeny High School

The Talon
Ankeny Community School District (ACSD) started the new year with a couple of changes, the new cell phone policy and books that have been pulled from the library. ACSD did not have a choice in the book ban due to state law Senate File 496 (SF 496), but they did spend countless hours reviewing books to only pull what was necessary. “Any book that came off the shelf, I can tell you exactly what page the issue is on,” teacher librarian Jenny Wirtz said.
Ankeny High School starts the year head-on
September 4, 2024
For many of the pickleball players, spending time with friends is just as much a part of the league as the game itself. The league is built to be flexible in working around players’ schedules. Because many of the players involved with the Ankeny Pickleball League are busy with other sports and activities, teams are open to finding any time to play, even if it means getting up early on a weekend for a game. On Sunday, May, the Houston Red Rockets and the Big Picklers went head-to-head in an early morning match-up. Sophomore Hayden Carlson hits the ball over the net.
An Ankeny Pickleball League is born
May 21, 2024
Demographic information provided by Ankeny Community School District showing the divide between numbers. Infographic made by Ava Tomlinson using Piktochart
A changing community
May 17, 2024
Senior Hunter Boswell deletes the app Tik Tok due to the recent news about the controversial, yet potential, Tik Tok ban in the U.S.
Imminent TikTok ban?
May 15, 2024
Album cover of “WE STILL DON’T TRUST YOU” by Future and Metro Boomin. Album cover from Epic / Freebandz / Republic / Boominati Worldwide
Meet National Merit Scholar finalist, senior Hannah Howard
May 2, 2024
“Alien: Romulus” was released in theaters on Aug. 16. The movie runs at one hour and 59 minutes. Poster for “Alien: Romulus” from 20th Century Studios, Director Fede Alvarez, Rated R
“Alien: Romulus”
August 20, 2024
Ankeny's Visual Adrenaline sings all together in the choir room.
Music’s impact on us
May 23, 2024
2024 AHS graduate Taevah Ganahl wears a dress from HelloMolly, a fast fashion website, and carries her Stanley tumbler cup. Infographic made by Josie Babcock using Canva
Fashion trend cycle
May 22, 2024
Original album cover of “meet the grahams” by Kendrick Lamar, Record label Interscope Records
“meet the grahams” by Kendrick Lamar
May 14, 2024
Album cover for Taylor Swift's most recent album, "Tortured Poets Department" Record label Republic Records, Photographer Beth Garrabrant
“The Tortured Poets Department” – A deep dive
May 9, 2024
“Alien: Romulus” was released in theaters on Aug. 16. The movie runs at one hour and 59 minutes. Poster for “Alien: Romulus” from 20th Century Studios, Director Fede Alvarez, Rated R
“Alien: Romulus”
August 20, 2024
2024 AHS graduate Taevah Ganahl wears a dress from HelloMolly, a fast fashion website, and carries her Stanley tumbler cup. Infographic made by Josie Babcock using Canva
Fashion trend cycle
May 22, 2024
Original album cover of “meet the grahams” by Kendrick Lamar, Record label Interscope Records
“meet the grahams” by Kendrick Lamar
May 14, 2024
Album cover for Taylor Swift's most recent album, "Tortured Poets Department" Record label Republic Records, Photographer Beth Garrabrant
“The Tortured Poets Department” – A deep dive
May 9, 2024
Dua Lipa's most recent album," Radical Optimism," dropped in May. Label Warner Records Album cover photo by Tyrone Lebon
Dua Lipa’s “Radical Optimism”
May 9, 2024
Senior Evan Irlmeier evades the Rams’ defense.
Hawks take on Southeast Polk Rams in week 2 road game
September 7, 2024
The Hawks go head to head with the Jags for the snap.
Ankeny Hawks kick off 2024 football season with Centennial Jags
September 2, 2024
For many of the pickleball players, spending time with friends is just as much a part of the league as the game itself. The league is built to be flexible in working around players’ schedules. Because many of the players involved with the Ankeny Pickleball League are busy with other sports and activities, teams are open to finding any time to play, even if it means getting up early on a weekend for a game. On Sunday, May, the Houston Red Rockets and the Big Picklers went head-to-head in an early morning match-up. Sophomore Hayden Carlson hits the ball over the net.
An Ankeny Pickleball League is born
May 21, 2024
Talon reporter Levi Foster talks about who he thinks will win the Cy Young (best pitcher), Most Valuable Player (MVP), and Rookie of the Year for the American League and the National League. Infographic made by Levi Foster using Canva
Way too early MLB awards
May 2, 2024
Talon reporter Levi Foster discusses the top National Football League (NFL) prospects of the 2024 NFL draft. Graphic made by Levi Foster using Canva
Top NFL Prospects
April 4, 2024
Ankeny's Visual Adrenaline sings all together in the choir room.
Music’s impact on us
May 23, 2024
Reporting by Grace Risk and Slideshow Slideshow made by Joanna Guerrero using Canva
In loving memory of Evie McLeish
May 21, 2024
With the reality of the post-high school world starting to hit, and everything required to end senior year with good grades, many seniors can seemingly feel weighed down by everything that needs to get done, and this is when senioritis tends to strike... Art by Jason Dennis
It’s senioritis season
May 16, 2024
Album cover of “WE STILL DON’T TRUST YOU” by Future and Metro Boomin. Album cover from Epic / Freebandz / Republic / Boominati Worldwide
Meet National Merit Scholar finalist, senior Hannah Howard
May 2, 2024
Sophomore Max Allison stands at 7-feet tall next to 6-foot tall junior Ryan Tomlinson.
A tall tale
April 25, 2024
Senior Evan Irlmeier evades the Rams’ defense.
Hawks take on Southeast Polk Rams in week 2 road game
September 7, 2024
The Hawks go head to head with the Jags for the snap.
Ankeny Hawks kick off 2024 football season with Centennial Jags
September 2, 2024
Reporting by Grace Risk and Slideshow Slideshow made by Joanna Guerrero using Canva
In loving memory of Evie McLeish
May 21, 2024
For many of the pickleball players, spending time with friends is just as much a part of the league as the game itself. The league is built to be flexible in working around players’ schedules. Because many of the players involved with the Ankeny Pickleball League are busy with other sports and activities, teams are open to finding any time to play, even if it means getting up early on a weekend for a game. On Sunday, May, the Houston Red Rockets and the Big Picklers went head-to-head in an early morning match-up. Sophomore Hayden Carlson hits the ball over the net.
An Ankeny Pickleball League is born
May 21, 2024
Award-winning podcasters, The Gray Room, review theme songs to some of your favorite shows! Can you say nostalgia? Design by Charlie Christensen using Vista Print
The Gray Room Podcast
May 9, 2024
This month's theme was to include a rose(s) in your work. Art by Jason Dennis
February Literary Magazine
February 26, 2024
Graphic made by Lydia Gerety using Canva
January Literary Magazine
January 22, 2024
Art by Jason Dennis
December Literary Magazine
December 19, 2023
Art by Owain Hernandez
November Literary Magazine
November 21, 2023
This is the debut of The Talon's 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. Art by Eos Gustafson
October Literary Magazine
October 13, 2023
  • 9/9 FCA Huddle
  • 9/10 Girls Swimmin @ Mason City
  • 9/10 Volleyball @ Waukee
  • 9/11 Boys Golf
  • 9/12 Cross Country @ Marshalltown
  • 9/13 Football vs Dowling

The Talon

The Talon
Senior Evan Irlmeier evades the Rams’ defense.

Hawks take on Southeast Polk Rams in week 2 road game

Ava Gifford, Sports and Photo Editor • September 7, 2024

The Hawks go head to head with the Jags for the snap.

Ankeny Hawks kick off 2024 football season with Centennial Jags

Ava Gifford, Sports and Photo Editor • September 2, 2024

The Ankeny Hawks started off the season with their cross-town rivalry game against the Centennial Jags on Friday, Aug. 30. The game started with a first half showcasing a strong defense from both the...

For many of the pickleball players, spending time with friends is just as much a part of the league as the game itself. The league is built to be flexible in working around players’ schedules. Because many of the players involved with the Ankeny Pickleball League are busy with other sports and activities, teams are open to finding any time to play, even if it means getting up early on a weekend for a game. On Sunday, May, the Houston Red Rockets and the Big Picklers went head-to-head in an early morning match-up. Sophomore Hayden Carlson hits the ball over the net.

An Ankeny Pickleball League is born

Ava Gifford and Levi Foster • May 21, 2024

What started as a casual game of pickleball with friends at a birthday party grew into what is now known as APL (the Ankeny Pickleball League). Everything started when a group of friends got together...

Talon reporter Levi Foster talks about who he thinks will win the Cy Young (best pitcher), Most Valuable Player (MVP), and Rookie of the Year for the American League and the National League. Infographic made by Levi Foster using Canva

Way too early MLB awards

Levi Foster, Staff Reporter • May 2, 2024

With the season still in its early stages, we have seen some hot starts from top players and breakout stars alike as they push for the postseason this coming October. As of the morning of Thursday, May...

Talon reporter Levi Foster discusses the top National Football League (NFL) prospects of the 2024 NFL draft. Graphic made by Levi Foster using Canva

Top NFL Prospects

Levi Foster, Staff Reporter • April 4, 2024

With the 2024 NFL Draft coming up later this month, scouts and coaches have some tough choices to make about who they want on their team next season. After watching film and the results from the draft...

A Taylor Swift-themed poster with logos to represent Swift's and Travis Kelce’s collective passions. Made by Ava Tomlinson using Canva

Touchdowns and love songs

Ryan Tomlinson, Staff Reporter • March 29, 2024

With half of the world's attention focused on the Kansas City Chiefs' Super Bowl 58 victory, the other half is focused on the relationship between Travis Kelce and Taylor Swift.  Kelce, the tight end...

On March 7th, the Ankeny Hawks took on Cedar Rapids Kennedy in the semifinal round of the State Tournament. Cedar Rapids came out on top with a score of 51-63.

Hawks close out an impressive season in Semifinal matchup against Cedar Rapids Kennedy

Ava Gifford, Sports and Photo Editor • March 10, 2024

On Tuesday, Mar. 6, the Ankeny Hawks took on Dubuque Senior at Wells Fargo Arena. Senior Lio Aguirre (21), senior Cade Pederson (33), and sophomore Rio Aguirre (35) prepare for the tipoff.

Ankeny defeats Dubuque Senior in quarterfinal showdown

Ava Gifford, Sports and Photo Editor • March 7, 2024

The Hawks advance to State with a 64-41 victory over Centennial.

Hawks beat Centennial to advance to State

Ava Gifford, Sports and Photo Editor • February 28, 2024

In the second round of the playoffs, the Hawkettes faced Valley in a close matchup. Senior Karsen Jacks avoids a defender.

Hawkettes take on Valley in a battle to the buzzer

Ava Gifford, Sports and Photo Editor • February 21, 2024

On Saturday, Feb. 17 the Ankeny Hawkettes faced off against Cedar Rapids Kennedy in the first round of the basketball playoffs. Sophomore Jayla Williams steps up to represent the Hawkettes at the tipoff.

The Ankeny Hawkettes bring the heat in the first round of the playoffs

Ava Gifford, Sports and Photo Editor • February 19, 2024

Friday, Feb. 12, the Ankeny Hawks faced off against Norwalk in a close match-up. Senior Cade Pederson goes in for the layup.

Hawks battle Norwalk in a fight to the finish

Ava Gifford, Sports and Photo Editor • February 14, 2024

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