The Student News Site of Ankeny High School

The Talon
Hyper Energy Bar located at 1101 South Ankeny Boulevard opened on Nov. 11. Hyper fundraised for Ankeny Schools upon its opening and donated over $2,000 to the Ankeny Community School District.
Ankeny Hyper opens, already giving back to the community
November 13, 2024
Junior Brett Augustine (bib number 409) passes runners from Mason City and Indianola at about the 4k mark of the race.
AHS cross country teams shine at state meet
November 7, 2024
Behind the Curtain: AHS’s fall play, “Pride & Prejudice”
November 7, 2024
Fine arts teacher and assistant music director Kelly Weber leads the band after a pregame performance on Sept. 27.
Future Ready Week series
November 6, 2024
Teacher Academy students from Ankeny Centennial, juniors Parker Wilson, Tony Mandolfo, and Sophia Royster develop their lesson plans that will be presented to the class. “[Teacher Academy students are] getting the experience of actually seeing if this is a career. They're getting that time in the classroom,” Teacher Academy and science teacher Kristen Campbell-Blumhagen (CB) said.
Students are getting up from behind the desk and partnering with industry professionals
November 5, 2024
On Episode 2 of "Now Playing...", Nolan McNulty and Blake Eichmeier talk about Denzel Curry, A$AP Rocky, and more!
Now Playing…
November 18, 2024
Now Playing... hosts Nolan McNulty and Blake Eichmeier. Description of "In Whose Name?" provided by Variety.
Now Playing…
November 14, 2024
Behind the Curtain: AHS’s fall play, “Pride & Prejudice”
November 7, 2024
Fine arts teacher and assistant music director Kelly Weber leads the band after a pregame performance on Sept. 27.
Future Ready Week series
November 6, 2024
Ankeny FBLA poses at the FBLA State Fall Leadership Conference (SFLC) in Des Moines.
Future Business Leaders of America: Emerging club at AHS
October 31, 2024
On Episode 2 of "Now Playing...", Nolan McNulty and Blake Eichmeier talk about Denzel Curry, A$AP Rocky, and more!
Now Playing…
November 18, 2024
Girls ask the guys on Sadie Hawkins Day. Design by Olivia Luna using Canva
Sadie Hawkins Dance
November 18, 2024
Now Playing... hosts Nolan McNulty and Blake Eichmeier. Description of "In Whose Name?" provided by Variety.
Now Playing…
November 14, 2024
Chevron v. Natural Resources Defense Council (NRDC) began due to Chevron having too many smokestacks and not properly labeling them under the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA).
Chevron Deference: destruction of experts in courts
November 4, 2024
Cover of “CHROMAKOPIA” by Tyler, The Creator, Columbia Records
“CHROMAKOPIA”: where Tyler, The Creator has been and where he’s going
October 30, 2024
On Friday, November 8th, the Ankeny Hawks faced the Iowa City Liberty Lightning in the second round of the playoffs.
Ankeny takes on Liberty in hard fought playoff battle
November 10, 2024
Sophomore Alexander Zuber celebrates a touchdown with teammates (left). Junior Gage Lint carries the ball to the end zone for a touchdown (right).
On the rise: Ankeny underclassmen make their mark on Hawk football program
November 8, 2024
Junior Brett Augustine (bib number 409) passes runners from Mason City and Indianola at about the 4k mark of the race.
AHS cross country teams shine at state meet
November 7, 2024
On Friday, November 1st, Ankeny took on the Linn-Mar Lions at home. Junior Daniel Larmie celebrates an Ankeny touchdown.
Ankeny triumphs over Linn-Mar to advance to round two of playoffs
November 3, 2024
The Hawkettes get hype before the opening set. On Tuesday night, the Hawkettes faced off against Iowa City High and won with a set score of 3-0 to punch their ticket to Coralville against Waukee Northwest, which will take place on Monday, Nov. 4th.
Hawkettes take the win over Iowa City High to advance to State
October 30, 2024
Senior Landen Rutter goes to high-five the student section before the football season's first game against cross-town rival Centennial.
United by the game
November 14, 2024
Silent echoes of the past—where memories rest and the weight of loss lingers in the stillness. Oralabor Cemetery stands as a stark reminder that nothing lasts forever. Grief is real.
“It’s going to be okay”
November 11, 2024
Sophomore Alexander Zuber celebrates a touchdown with teammates (left). Junior Gage Lint carries the ball to the end zone for a touchdown (right).
On the rise: Ankeny underclassmen make their mark on Hawk football program
November 8, 2024
AHS guidance counselors Audrey Bell, Kelly Andrews, and Mici Vos pose during busy Future Ready Week.
Future Ready Week
November 5, 2024
As P.E.O.P.E.L. P.E. members participate in Circle of Friends events, they reportedly discovered an enriching space where everyone is encouraged to shine, regardless of background or abilities. This supportive setting allows students to collaborate and communicate, enhancing social skills while nurturing a deep sense of belonging. In turn, the diverse participants continue to breathe new life into the P.E.O.P.E.L. P.E. program at Ankeny High School, bringing different perspectives and experiences that enrich every game and activity.
Circle of Friends
November 1, 2024
On Episode 2 of "Now Playing...", Nolan McNulty and Blake Eichmeier talk about Denzel Curry, A$AP Rocky, and more!
Now Playing…
November 18, 2024
Now Playing... hosts Nolan McNulty and Blake Eichmeier. Description of "In Whose Name?" provided by Variety.
Now Playing…
November 14, 2024
The Iowa High School Press Association (IHSPA) held its annual fall conference for journalism students across Iowa on Oct. 24 at the Iowa Memorial Union on the University of Iowa Campus in Iowa City. Students from both Ankeny High School (AHS) and Ankeny Centennial currently in Advanced Journalism or Yearbook were in attendance.
IHSPA fall conference 2024: Everything you should know
October 26, 2024
Created by Lydia Gerety using Canva
The Environmental Club: Keeping Ankeny Green
October 23, 2024
The Ankeny student section showed their support by dressing out in red, white, and blue for the Ankeny versus Dowling game.
Hawks Triumph Over Number One Ranked Dowling Maroons
September 15, 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
  • 11/18 Cheerleading facility reservation
  • 11/18 Wrestling Girls 8th
  • 11/18 Basketball Girls 8 vs. Fort Dodge @ Southview
  • 11/18 FCA huddle
  • 11/19 Wrestling Boys 8th
  • 11/19 Wrestling Girls Varsity
  • 11/21 Band Festival @ Iowa State
  • 11/21 Basketball Girls 8th
  • 11/21 Band Performance
  • 11/21 Wrestling Girls Varsity @ Ballard High School
  • 11/22 Band Festival
  • 11/23 Band Festival
  • 11/23 Wrestling Girls Varsity
  • 11/23 Basketball Girls Varsity vs. Ames @ AHS

The Talon

The Talon
Ava Gifford

Ava Gifford, Sports and Photo Editor

Ava Gifford is a Senior at Ankeny High School. She is involved in Spanish Honors Society, writing sports stories and taking sports photos for the Talon. Ava works at the Creamery, enjoys photography, writes music, and plays the piano and guitar. One fun fact about Ava is that her favorite season is fall because she loves fall drinks and  football season. 

All content by Ava Gifford
Senior Landen Rutter goes to high-five the student section before the football season's first game against cross-town rival Centennial.

[Photo] United by the game

Karli Beroth and Rylie Jensen
November 14, 2024
On Friday, November 8th, the Ankeny Hawks faced the Iowa City Liberty Lightning in the second round of the playoffs.

Ankeny takes on Liberty in hard fought playoff battle

Ava Gifford, Sports and Photo Editor
November 10, 2024
Sophomore Alexander Zuber celebrates a touchdown with teammates (left). Junior Gage Lint carries the ball to the end zone for a touchdown (right).

On the rise: Ankeny underclassmen make their mark on Hawk football program

Ava Gifford, Sports and Photo Editor
November 8, 2024
On Friday, November 1st, Ankeny took on the Linn-Mar Lions at home. Junior Daniel Larmie celebrates an Ankeny touchdown.

Ankeny triumphs over Linn-Mar to advance to round two of playoffs

Ava Gifford, Sports and Photo Editor
November 3, 2024
The Thursday, October 24th Ankeny vs Cedar Rapids Washington game was postponed, and the Ankeny Hawks returned to Cedar Rapids the next day for the final regular season matchup. Senior Landen Rutter (58), junior Andrew Brandhorst (13), and junior Emanuwel Ford-Davis (18), ready for action.

Ankeny overpowers Cedar Rapids Washington in final regular season game

Ava Gifford and Levi Foster
October 27, 2024
Junior Hayden Carlson warms up before the game.

Ankeny Hawks upset Valley in overtime battle

Ava Gifford and Levi Foster
October 20, 2024
The Ankeny Hawks traveled to Iowa City Liberty to take on the Liberty Lighting. Junior Andrew Brandhorst is on the field, ready for warm-ups.

Hawks take on Iowa City Liberty in tight matchup

Ava Gifford and Levi Foster
October 13, 2024
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