• 4/7 Girls Golf Invite @ Waukee Northwest
  • 4/8 Boys and Girls Tennis Vs. Valley
  • 4/8 Boys Track @ Urbandale
  • 4/8 Girls Track @ Northview
  • 4/8 Boys Soccer @Valley - 7:30
  • 4/8 Girls Soccer Vs. Valley - 7:00
  • 4/10 Girls Tennis @ Colombus Catholic
  • 4/10 Boys Soccer @ Indianola - 7:30
  • 4/11 AHS Blood Drive in Gym
  • 4/11 Boys Tennis Vs. Cedar Rapids Jefferson
  • 4/11 Girls Tennis Vs. Ottumwa
  • 4/11 Boys Soccer Vs. Davenport North - 7:00
  • 4/11 Spring Play - 7:00
  • 4/12 Boys and Girls Track @ Jim Duncan Relays - Drake Stadium
  • 4/12 Boys Tennis @ Johnston
  • 4/12 Girls Soccer @ Xavier - 11:30
  • 4/12 Spring Play - 7:00
The Student News Site of Ankeny High School

The Talon
Members of the Mental Health Club hosted an event during school. Published with permission from Will Harms.
Breaking the silence
April 2, 2025
Recent legislation state and nationwide has been pushing to eliminate transgender athletes. Created by Grady Andersen using Canva.
Gender identity vs. athletic performance: dissecting the transgender athlete ban
March 26, 2025
Created by Chloe Macke using Canva.
Reading Rights: The impact of recently proposed bills on libraries
March 14, 2025
Iowa Attorney General Brenna Bird signed onto lawsuit Texas v. Becerra which states that section 504 is unconstitutional. “I wish I could look at it impartially, just as this really fascinating constitutional phenomenon that didn't have any potential behind it to harm other people or even harm myself, but I really can't do that,” University of Iowa professor and licensed attorney Brett Johnson said. Photo by Lydia Gerety
Iowa families concerned for their children’s equal access to education
March 8, 2025
In January and February, over ten bills targeting queer youth have been presented to both the Iowa House and Senate floor. Created by River Phillips using Canva.
Debate over HF80: Iowa’s proposal on pronoun use in classrooms
March 7, 2025
"Marvel Rivals" launched its second season on Apr.11. Promotional art by Netease Games and Marvel.
“Marvel Rivals”: Season Two Launch review
April 18, 2025
WrestleMania 41 takes place on April 19th to April 20th across a 2-night extravaganza. WrestleMania is compared to the scale of the SuperBowl for wrestling fans. Made by Ryan Cox using Canva
WrestleMania: A Cultural Powerbomb
April 18, 2025
“A Minecraft Movie” is now playing in a theater near you. The film is rated PG and runs at an hour and 41 minutes. Poster from Warner Bros. Pictures and Legendary Entertainment.
Why “A Minecraft Movie” blocked itself from success | REVIEW
April 4, 2025
Cover of “MUSIC” by Playboi Carti which dropped on March 14th, 2025 with a runtime of 1 hour and 29 minutes distributed by AWGE and Interscope Records.
Playboi Carti’s “MUSIC” Album Review
April 4, 2025
Made by Olivia Luna using Canva
Increasing elitism within concerts
April 4, 2025
“A Minecraft Movie” is now playing in a theater near you. The film is rated PG and runs at an hour and 41 minutes. Poster from Warner Bros. Pictures and Legendary Entertainment.
Why “A Minecraft Movie” blocked itself from success | REVIEW
April 4, 2025
Poster for “Mickey 17” courtesy of Warner Bros. Pictures. The R-rated film is now playing in a theater near you, and runs at two hours and 17 minutes.
“Mickey 17”: Sci-fi meets political drama
March 7, 2025
The Monkey is now playing in a theater near you. The film runs at one hour and 38 minutes and is rated R. Movie poster from Neon Cinema.
How “The Monkey” blended horror and comedy in a fun way
February 21, 2025
Poster for Captain America: Brave New World. The film runs at one hour and 59 minutes, and is rated PG-13. Now playing in a theater near you. Poster courtesy of Marvel Studios.
Why “Captain America: Brave New World” proved it can be brave without being new | REVIEW
February 14, 2025
Cover of “MUSIC” by Playboi Carti which dropped on March 14th, 2025 with a runtime of 1 hour and 29 minutes distributed by AWGE and Interscope Records.
Playboi Carti’s “MUSIC” Album Review
April 4, 2025
Made by Olivia Luna using Canva
Increasing elitism within concerts
April 4, 2025
Created by Brogan Smith using Canva, The graphic displays a representation of music and audio being continuously recycled, a technique that has been famously used throughout music history.
The recycling of music
March 6, 2025
On February 9th, Kendrick Lamar took the center stage during the halftime show of the Super Bowl, and made a statement to the 133.5 million people that watched. Created by Ryan Cox using Canva. Created by Ryan Cox using Canva.
SZA, Serena, Samuel, Kendrick: A breakdown of this year’s legendary Super Bowl halftime performance
February 20, 2025
Cover of “Hurry Up Tomorrow” by The Weeknd dropped on Jan. 31 with a runtime of 1 hour and 24 minutes. Label XO Records, Republic Records
“Hurry Up Tomorrow” review
February 7, 2025
"Marvel Rivals" launched its second season on Apr.11. Promotional art by Netease Games and Marvel.
“Marvel Rivals”: Season Two Launch review
April 18, 2025
WrestleMania 41 takes place on April 19th to April 20th across a 2-night extravaganza. WrestleMania is compared to the scale of the SuperBowl for wrestling fans. Made by Ryan Cox using Canva
WrestleMania: A Cultural Powerbomb
April 18, 2025
“A Minecraft Movie” is now playing in a theater near you. The film is rated PG and runs at an hour and 41 minutes. Poster from Warner Bros. Pictures and Legendary Entertainment.
Why “A Minecraft Movie” blocked itself from success | REVIEW
April 4, 2025
Cover of “MUSIC” by Playboi Carti which dropped on March 14th, 2025 with a runtime of 1 hour and 29 minutes distributed by AWGE and Interscope Records.
Playboi Carti’s “MUSIC” Album Review
April 4, 2025
Made by Olivia Luna using Canva
Increasing elitism within concerts
April 4, 2025
Ankeny Girls Basketball stand for the National Anthem before a game against Dallas Center Grimes on January 1. Photo by Grady Andersen
Previewing all 8 regions in Girls Class 5A
February 18, 2025
IGHSAU and IHSAA announce the shift of girls’ tennis and boys’ golf to the fall season starting in 2025, sparking debate over the impact on student-athletes and school sports programs. Created by Olivia Luna using Canva
Spring sports to move to fall season ’25-’26
February 6, 2025
Art in modern society is slowly losing its creative merit, as well as its purpose. Created by Gabriel Brannon using Canva
The looming death of art in modern society
January 10, 2025
As the world grapples with the fallout of TikTok's ban, its impact on society, politics, and culture marks a pivotal moment in history. From reshaping habits to sparking debates on free speech and national security, this decision leaves a lasting impression on the global stage. Visual made by Tobias Landmesser using Canva
Talon Editorial: TikTok, the current predicament
January 17, 2025
WrestleMania 41 takes place on April 19th to April 20th across a 2-night extravaganza. WrestleMania is compared to the scale of the SuperBowl for wrestling fans. Made by Ryan Cox using Canva
WrestleMania: A Cultural Powerbomb
April 18, 2025
Sophomore Quinn Roush leaps over a hurdle during the third leg of the shuttle hurdle relay. The Ankeny varsity squad took seventh with a time of 1:13.65.
Ankeny girls take fifth place at the Hawkette Invitational in a tight race
April 4, 2025
Recent legislation state and nationwide has been pushing to eliminate transgender athletes. Created by Grady Andersen using Canva.
Gender identity vs. athletic performance: dissecting the transgender athlete ban
March 26, 2025
Design made by Tobias Landmesser using Canva. Stock imagery by Jesse Orrico on Unsplash.
New class looks to make an impact in youth sports
March 19, 2025
Staff Reporter Savannah Dye recaps Monday Night Raw's last show on March 10th. Made in Canva by Savannah Dye.
Monday Night Raw: Reflection and prediction
March 12, 2025
Foreign exchange student Natali Bairamidi (far right) stands with her host family on a trip to Dyersville, Iowa. Photo published with permission from Natali Bairamidi.
‘Being here makes me feel like I am heard, seen, and understood.’
April 14, 2025
Leister smiling for the camera. Photo published with permission from Mary Kate Leister.
Merry Mary: New to the nest
April 9, 2025
Graphic created by Olivia Luna using Canva.
Chamberland mines for curiosity
April 8, 2025
Bing talking about the plan for the day with her students in one of her AP Biology courses. “If I wasn't passionate about working with students, I don't think [I’d stay in teaching], but no, it's absolutely the students that I have that [make it worth it,” Bing stated. Photo taken by Sylvia Bartlett.
A career in science: and supporting the next generation
April 1, 2025
Ankeny High School is full of student leaders who hold many different traits. Image created by Chloe Macke using wordart.
Leadership sculpting the future: The expanding impact of leaders at Ankeny High School
March 25, 2025
Foreign exchange student Natali Bairamidi (far right) stands with her host family on a trip to Dyersville, Iowa. Photo published with permission from Natali Bairamidi.
‘Being here makes me feel like I am heard, seen, and understood.’
April 14, 2025
Leister smiling for the camera. Photo published with permission from Mary Kate Leister.
Merry Mary: New to the nest
April 9, 2025
Graphic created by Olivia Luna using Canva.
Chamberland mines for curiosity
April 8, 2025
Bing talking about the plan for the day with her students in one of her AP Biology courses. “If I wasn't passionate about working with students, I don't think [I’d stay in teaching], but no, it's absolutely the students that I have that [make it worth it,” Bing stated. Photo taken by Sylvia Bartlett.
A career in science: and supporting the next generation
April 1, 2025
Ankeny High teacher Ms. Sherwood writes the plan for the day on the whiteboard. Photo by Savannah Dye
From student to teacher: Sydney Sherwood’s inspiring journey at Ankeny High School
March 7, 2025
On episode 9 of "Now Playing..." Blake and Nolan discuss the long-awaited album from Playboi Carti, titled "MUSIC". Design made by Nolan McNulty using Canva.
Now Playing…
April 15, 2025
Hosts Nolan and Blake bring on guest Brogan Smith to talk about his experience with the Chromakopia Tour on this episode of "Now Playing...". Design made by Nolan McNulty using Canva.
Now Playing…
April 11, 2025
The Hawkettes shake hands after a 50-27 loss to the No. 2 Dowling Catholic Maroons.
Hawkettes wrap up regular season with loss to Maroons
February 12, 2025
Ellie Bovee poses with her horse M&M for her senior photos. Photo by Tori Versteegh, published with permission by Ellie Bovee
Ellie Bovee: A force to be reckoned with
February 11, 2025
The Hawks took on tough matchups against top-ranked Waukee Northwest Wolves this past Monday, Feb. 3.
Hawks take on the Wolves in an energetic doubleheader
February 4, 2025
On episode 9 of "Now Playing..." Blake and Nolan discuss the long-awaited album from Playboi Carti, titled "MUSIC". Design made by Nolan McNulty using Canva.
Now Playing…
April 15, 2025
Hosts Nolan and Blake bring on guest Brogan Smith to talk about his experience with the Chromakopia Tour on this episode of "Now Playing...". Design made by Nolan McNulty using Canva.
Now Playing…
April 11, 2025
Hosts Nolan McNulty and Blake Eichmeier bring on guest speaker Ryan Cox to talk about The Weeknd's final album, "Hurry Up Tomorrow" on episode 7. Design by Nolan McNulty using Canva.
Now Playing…
February 4, 2025
"Now Playing..." returns after a hiatus, talking about Travis Scott, Djo, and Hinterland on episode 6. Design made by Nolan McNulty using Canva.
Now Playing…
January 28, 2025
The Student News Site of Ankeny High School

The Talon
The Student News Site of Ankeny High School

The Talon
Justin Banks

Justin Banks, Staff Reporter

(he/him/his) Justin Banks is a junior at Ankeny High School. His birthday is December 2, 2004. He is interested in feature, news, opinion, and entertainment writing. He does not take part in any extracurricular activities, rather using his time playing Magic the Gathering, indulging in video games, and watching YouTube.

All content by Justin Banks
Raj

[Photo] Raj Bete

May 19, 2022
"Doctor Strange In The Multiverse Of Madness" is playing at B & B in Ankeny currently through May 25. The science fiction action film is part of the Multiverse franchise and has fans of the Marvel empire talking.

Doctor Strange in the Multiverse of Madness movie review

Justin Banks, Staff Reporter
May 17, 2022
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