The Student News Site of Ankeny High School

The Talon
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
These are the classes that will not be offered next year to Ankeny High students. Associate Principal Wade Grinhaug works with teachers and heads of departments to design class schedules and will inform them if classes are at risk of not running. He says building a schedule is very complex. There are around 1,400 students at AHS and the scheduling requests average around 6.5 per semester. Grinhaug estimates that there are over 30,000 requests total. To help Grinhaug sort through all of this information he uses Scheduling Wizard on Infinite Campus to build the schedules. It is a computer algorithm that analyzes all of the requests and recommends the times to offer each class to reduce conflicts. Infographic made by Lilyan McCracken using Google Drawings
Class changes coming to AHS
March 7, 2024
The student financial aid process can be an intimidating experience for students and parents alike. Knowing where to start and having steps and/or a plan for tackling the process can make it much easier. Infographic made by Josie Babcock using Canva
FAFSA frenzy
March 7, 2024
On Tuesday, Jan. 30, Mentors in Violence Prevention (MVP) mentors led sophomore Hawk Times through an introductory presentation. Participants created collectively a list of norms they will revisit each month with a new MVP lesson.
Mentors in Violence Prevention launches at Ankeny High
February 29, 2024
AHS junior Ryan Tomlinson scrolls through Instagram. Since the 1990s, mental health disorders have risen as a leading cause of health loss, reports National Center for Biotechnology Information (NCBI). In the United States and globally, more people than ever before are suffering from mental and emotional disorders, and are dying to suicide. The cause of these trends has been linked to many different factors, including the lack of access to mental health aid, increased substance abuse, and the COVID-19 pandemic. However, according to numerous studies conducted across the globe, the use of social media has been a major leading cause of societys decline in mental health, reports the Center for Disease Control.
The social dilemma
February 28, 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
Album cover of “WE STILL DON’T TRUST YOU” by Future and Metro Boomin. Album cover from Epic / Freebandz / Republic / Boominati Worldwide
“WE STILL DON’T TRUST YOU” Review
April 25, 2024
“Godzilla x Kong: The New Empire is currently playing in theatres. The movie is PG-13 and runs an hour and 55 minutes. Movie poster from Warner Bros. Pictures
“Godzilla x Kong: The New Empire” Review
April 7, 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
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
Album cover of “WE STILL DON’T TRUST YOU” by Future and Metro Boomin. Album cover from Epic / Freebandz / Republic / Boominati Worldwide
“WE STILL DON’T TRUST YOU” Review
April 25, 2024
“Godzilla x Kong: The New Empire is currently playing in theatres. The movie is PG-13 and runs an hour and 55 minutes. Movie poster from Warner Bros. Pictures
“Godzilla x Kong: The New Empire” Review
April 7, 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
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
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
March 7, 2024
The Hawks advance to State with a 64-41 victory over Centennial.
Hawks beat Centennial to advance to State
February 28, 2024
Sophomore Max Allison stands at 7-feet tall next to 6-foot tall junior Ryan Tomlinson.
A tall tale
April 25, 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
It is parachute day in P.E.O.P.E.L. P.E. class. Students who want to make a difference, make new and true friends, or to try a different physical education credit can take P.E.O.P.E.L. P.E. and/or join Circle of Friends. The next Circle of Friends event will be kickball from 4-5 p.m. at Miracle League Park in Ankney
P.E.O.P.E.L. P.E.
March 6, 2024
Karin Cowger spending time with former exchange student, Elora, while on vacation in Berlin, Germany.
Embracing roots: Exploring the German heritage of an English teacher
February 8, 2024
TCA Titans runner Mathew Edwards (left) and Ankeny Hawks runner Ethan Zuber (right) leading the Boys Gold race at the 2023 Rim Rock Invitational meet. Zuber took first place.
State champion and Gatorade Player of the Year
February 2, 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
On this episode of The Gray Room, Griffin and I talk about student suggestions.
The Gray Room Podcast
April 1, 2024
Griffin and I talk about a new album that was just released called The Slow Rush.
The Gray Room Podcast
March 29, 2024
On this episode of The Gray Room, Griffin and I talk about student suggestions.
The Gray Room Podcast
March 18, 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
  • 4/24 Boys Tennis @ Southeast Polk
  • 4/24 Special Olympics @ AHS
  • 4/25 Girls Tennis @ Ankeny Tennis Center
  • 4/25 Boys Tennis @ Ankeny Tennis Center
  • 4/25 Boys Track @ Drake
  • 4/25 Boys Soccer @ AHS
  • 4/26 Festival of Bands @ Southeast Polk
  • 4/26 Girls Track @ Drake
  • 4/26 Boys Track @ Drake
  • 4/26 Girls Soccer @ TBK Bank Sports Complex
  • 4/27 Boys Soccer @ Northview
  • 4/27 Girls Soccer @ TBK Bank Sports Complex
  • 4/27 Girls Track @ Drake
  • 4/27 Boys Track @ Drake

The Talon

The Talon
Josie Babcock

Josie Babcock, Staff Reporter

Josie Babcock is a senior at Ankeny High School. She is involved in marching band, jazz band, National Honors Society, throws for track and field, and dances competitively outside of school. Josie plans to attend the University of Iowa after high school to study english and secondary education. A fun fact about Josie is that she enjoys collecting vinyl records and listening to music in her free time.

All content by Josie Babcock
The student financial aid process can be an intimidating experience for students and parents alike. Knowing where to start and having steps and/or a plan for tackling the process can make it much easier. Infographic made by Josie Babcock using Canva

FAFSA frenzy

Josie Babcock, Staff Reporter
March 7, 2024
AHS junior Evan Huegel is a highly involved student at Ankeny High School who is admired by students and teachers alike for his numerous talents and fun-loving personality. He captivates the crowd with his rendition of Michael Jackson’s “Smooth Criminal” for the Ankeny Marching Hawks production of “Catch Me If You Can.”

‘The Real Deal’

Josie Babcock, Staff Reporter
February 1, 2024
(From left) Elijah Feldhans, Eva Drew, Adam Van Thomme, Atticus Pottratz (back middle), Jenna Freeseman, Nick Robie. “I love the energy that can be felt from every single person on stage. I love being a part of such a happy and intense ending of such a great show,” senior Atticus Pottratz said.

Ankeny show choirs begin their season with a bang in Bloomington

Josie Babcock and Vivian Wu
January 30, 2024
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
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