The Student News Site of Ankeny High School

The Talon
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Feet to the beat
October 19, 2024
With less than three weeks from the election, candidates Mark Holm and Kim Hagemann have been campaigning for a position on the Board of Supervisors.
Deciding Polk County’s future
October 16, 2024
Open Mic Night is a collaboration between Ankeny and Centennial. They meet four times a year. Open Mic Night allows students and staff to share their talents in a welcoming environment. Students who enjoy playing guitar, keyboard, or any other instrument, students who want to share their original poetry or who love to sing, or students who just like to tell funny, school-appropriate jokes can come and perform in front of a welcoming audience. Caption reporting by Taylor Rinehart Design by Sam Green using Canva
The night the mic stays open
October 8, 2024
ASL (American Sign Language) club provides students with the basics to learn sign language outside of school, while also allowing them to learn more as a group during Hawk Time. ASL club will be holding its second meeting Thursday, Sept. 26 in the AHS library.
ASL Club
September 25, 2024
The Ankeny School Board passes Policy 0502.06 Respectable Use of Mobile Devices at the Monday, Sept. 16 meeting. “Students may possess Wireless Communication Devices on district property and on district-owned, district-leaded, and/or district chartered transportation, provided that, during School Hours, student Wireless Communication Devices shall be turned off, concealed, and placed out of the student’s reach” (Policy 0502.06). Students are able to have their phones in their backpacks but are not allowed to access them during school hours.
Ankeny school board members vote in favor of new cell phone policy
September 17, 2024
Cover for “I LAY DOWN MY LIFE FOR YOU,” AWAL Recordings America
“I LAY DOWN MY LIFE FOR YOU” Review
October 17, 2024
“Piece By Piece” is now playing in theaters near you. The film is rated PG and runs at an hour and 33 minutes. Universal Pictures, Focus Features, Director Morgan Neville
“Piece by Piece:” A creative way to capture the story of Pharrell Williams
October 14, 2024
Engage in some fall fun in Ankeny. Grab a coffee from Porch light and watch a Friday night movie at their outdoor space, or participate in Tuesday night bingo at Uptown garage. You could even take a spooky stroll to see the Halloween Fright Lights. Caption reporting by Caden McGlin Design by Lydia Gerety using Canva
Explore Ankeny’s fall activities and shops
October 11, 2024
“Joker: Folie à Deux” is now playing in a theater near you. The film is rated R and has a runtime of two hours and 18 minutes. Warner Bros. Pictures, Director Todd Phillips
“Joker: Folie à Deux:” A mistake of a sequel
October 9, 2024
Open Mic Night is a collaboration between Ankeny and Centennial. They meet four times a year. Open Mic Night allows students and staff to share their talents in a welcoming environment. Students who enjoy playing guitar, keyboard, or any other instrument, students who want to share their original poetry or who love to sing, or students who just like to tell funny, school-appropriate jokes can come and perform in front of a welcoming audience. Caption reporting by Taylor Rinehart Design by Sam Green using Canva
The night the mic stays open
October 8, 2024
Created by Vivian Luna using Canva
Ankeny’s one and only frozen yogurt shop: Orange Leaf
October 17, 2024
Cover for “I LAY DOWN MY LIFE FOR YOU,” AWAL Recordings America
“I LAY DOWN MY LIFE FOR YOU” Review
October 17, 2024
“Piece By Piece” is now playing in theaters near you. The film is rated PG and runs at an hour and 33 minutes. Universal Pictures, Focus Features, Director Morgan Neville
“Piece by Piece:” A creative way to capture the story of Pharrell Williams
October 14, 2024
Design by Olivia Luna using Canva
Seasonal caffeinated concoctions in Ankeny
October 14, 2024
Engage in some fall fun in Ankeny. Grab a coffee from Porch light and watch a Friday night movie at their outdoor space, or participate in Tuesday night bingo at Uptown garage. You could even take a spooky stroll to see the Halloween Fright Lights. Caption reporting by Caden McGlin Design by Lydia Gerety using Canva
Explore Ankeny’s fall activities and shops
October 11, 2024
Junior Hayden Carlson warms up before the game.
Ankeny Hawks upset Valley in overtime battle
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
October 13, 2024
Hawkettes huddle after a timeout.
Ankeny comes out on top in competitive showdown against the Waukee Northwest Wolves
October 9, 2024
Senior captains Caden Henkes (5), Andrew Haase (95), Kinnick Vos (3), and Luke Anderson (8) take the field for the coin toss.
Ankeny Hawks take the victory over Cedar Rapids Prairie
October 6, 2024
Junior Daniel Larmie (0) celebrates a touchdown with junior Andrew Brandhorst (13) in the endzone.
Hawks score a homecoming win
September 29, 2024
Created using Canva by Lydia Gerety
Feet to the beat
October 19, 2024
Spanish teacher Rosana Brewer holding her plaque awarded for winning Educator of the Year (Secondary Level) by the Iowa World Language Association
Celebrating passion
October 16, 2024
Design by Olivia Luna using Canva
Seasonal caffeinated concoctions in Ankeny
October 14, 2024
Fellowship of Christian Athletes (FCA) Meets every Friday morning, 7:50, in the upstairs study hall room. Then one Monday a month they have their huddle. “God is for everybody, so it doesn't matter if you are athletic or not. We want you there,” science and teacher academy teacher Kristen Campbell-Blumhagen (CB) said.
FCA: Fellowship of Christian Athletes
October 4, 2024
Kevin Daniels poses at a Civil War reenactment event.  Daniels embodies an intense passion for history, showing its artifacts and sharing its stories to anyone willing to listen. His legacy as a history connoisseur inspires future generations. 
Kevin Daniels: History’s Whisperer
October 1, 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
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
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
  • 10/15 Girls Swimming @ Southeast Polk
  • 10/15 Volleyball @ Urbandale
  • 10/16 Cross Country @ Southeast Polk
  • 10/18 Football v. Valley
  • 10/19 Band Performance

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
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
Senior captains Caden Henkes (5), Andrew Haase (95), Kinnick Vos (3), and Luke Anderson (8) take the field for the coin toss.

Ankeny Hawks take the victory over Cedar Rapids Prairie

Ava Gifford, Sports and Photo Editor
October 6, 2024
Junior Daniel Larmie (0) celebrates a touchdown with junior Andrew Brandhorst (13) in the endzone.

Hawks score a homecoming win

Ava Gifford, Sports and Photo Editor
September 29, 2024
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