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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
Southview eighth grader, Noemi Gavilan, runs to celebrate with teammates. Special Olympics is unique because it presents opportunities for people of all ages and abilities to compete in athletics.
AHS takes on Special Olympics
April 30, 2024
Ankenys 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 Swifts most recent album, Tortured Poets Department Record label Republic Records, Photographer Beth Garrabrant
“The Tortured Poets Department” – A deep dive
May 9, 2024
Dua Lipas 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
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 Swifts most recent album, Tortured Poets Department Record label Republic Records, Photographer Beth Garrabrant
“The Tortured Poets Department” – A deep dive
May 9, 2024
Dua Lipas 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
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
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
A Taylor Swift-themed poster with logos to represent Swifts and Travis Kelce’s collective passions. Made by Ava Tomlinson using Canva
Touchdowns and love songs
March 29, 2024
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
March 10, 2024
Ankenys 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
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
Album cover for Taylor Swifts most recent album, Tortured Poets Department Record label Republic Records, Photographer Beth Garrabrant
The Gray Room Podcast
April 30, 2024
Charlie Christensen, Griffin Nye, Ava Sarenpa, and Rose McGill talk all things Michael Jackson.
The Gray Room Podcast
April 25, 2024
This months 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 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. Art by Eos Gustafson
October Literary Magazine
October 13, 2023
Upcoming Events
  • 5/20 Boys Soccer @ Iowa City High
  • 5/20 School Board Meeting
  • 5/20 Softball @ Norwalk
  • 5/20 Boys Soccer @ Northview
  • 5/20 Baseball @ AHS
  • 5/21 Boys Tennis @ Hawkeye Tennis Complex
  • 5/21 Seniors Last Day!
  • 5/21 Girls Soccer @ AHS
  • 5/21 Softball @ ADM High School
  • 5/22 Boys Soccer IHSAA
  • 5/22 Boys Tennis @ Hawkeye Tennis Complex
  • 5/22 Baseball @ Waukee Baseball Complex
  • 5/22 Softball @ Waukee Softball Complex
  • 5/22 Boys Soccer @ Northview
  • 5/23 Girls Soccer vs. IGHSAU
  • 5/24 Girls Tennis State @ Hawkeye Tennis Complex
  • 5/24 Softball @ Johnston
  • 5/24 LAST DAY OF SCHOOL

The Talon

The Talon
Ava Gifford

Ava Gifford, Staff Reporter

Ava Gifford is a Junior at Ankeny High School. She is involved in Key Club and writing sports stories for the Talon. Ava is involved as a leader in her youth group, 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 when the leaves start to change and when it’s time for apple cider.

All content by Ava Gifford
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
Max Allison towers over the rest of the Ankeny Hawk basketball team at Wells Fargo.

[Photo] A tall tale

Ryan Tomlinson, Staff Reporter
April 25, 2024
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, Staff Reporter
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, Staff Reporter
March 7, 2024
The Hawks advance to State with a 64-41 victory over Centennial.

Hawks beat Centennial to advance to State

Ava Gifford, Staff Reporter
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, Staff Reporter
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, Staff Reporter
February 19, 2024
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