The Talon

The Student News Site of Ankeny High School
Visual Adrenaline (VA) performing the last song of Fall Preview. VA is an award winning mixed varsity show choir at Ankeny High School and is choreographed by Kevin Walters and directed by Ben Walters.
A day of show choir
November 16, 2023
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
November 15, 2023
AELP stands for the Ankeny Extended Learning program. It helps students who are academically gifted reach their academic potential by providing extra opportunities for learning.
Talented and Gifted Program at AHS
November 14, 2023
Ankenys Girls Who Code club meet every Friday during Hawk Time with robotics coach and computer programming teacher Jennifer Poole in room 2301. Girls Who Code is open to all genders. The club explores coding, digital design, algorithms, and the computer science options offered at AHS.
Computer science empowers Ankeny women
November 9, 2023
Campaign signs dot yards across Ankeny in anticipation of the upcoming Ankeny School Board election tomorrow, Tuesday, Nov. 7.
Ankeny School Board elections Nov. 7: What you should know
November 6, 2023
Shown here is a BeReal posted by AHS senior Drew Taylor with fellow AHS students at a football game.
Let’s BeReal about social media
January 6, 2023
From plans over winter break to the most cherished gift during th eholiday season, Ankeny Hawks spread cheer for all to hear in this third holiday questions installment.
Hawks spread cheer for all to hear
December 23, 2021
The Talon wishes Ankeny High students, staff, and the community a happy holiday. From students and staff singing their favorite holiday songs to discussing what dessert they would be, get ready to get into the holiday spirit with The Talons second video installment of Holiday Questions.
Holiday Hawks with heart
December 20, 2021
Where can one find the perfect peppermint mocha for this holiday season? This iced peppermint mocha from Starbucks is one of five reviewed.
Peppermint mocha: Coffee Review
December 16, 2021
From the strangest gifts received to holiday foods and traditions, AHS students and staff share some holiday favorites.
Happy holidays, AHS
December 14, 2021
“Five Nights at Freddy’s” is now in theaters such as B&B Theaters, Cinemark, and streaming on Peacock. The movie is rated PG-13 and produced by Blumhouse Productions.
“Five Nights at Freddy’s”: A flawed yet enjoyable horror movie
October 27, 2023
Pulitzer Prize winning musical artist, Kendrick Lamar, makes quite a comeback with his new album, Mr. Morale & the Big Steppers.
United in Kendrick: a review
May 25, 2022
High prices are a common sight for many students at stations around the Des Moines metro area as well as the U.S. It takes a whole lot more to fill gas tanks right now, and the price does not seem to be plateauing.
OPINION: Price on the rise
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
May 17, 2022
A rainy street in Mons Belgium just begging to be enjoyed by tourists on a stroll. Europe is such an breathtaking continent. The different cultures and countries all in one place is truly amazing. All European countries are different, yet somewhat similar. So if you are traveling across Europe and going through different countries: It is important to keep in mind that while you’re still on the same continent, you are not in the same country.  What I mean by this is that all of these countries, or at least most of them, speak different languages. They have other differences, but this is one of the most important to remember. So, if you were to start your trip in France, and travel to Germany and then maybe to Italy, you have to be prepared for the switch in language.
Tips, tricks, tidbits: Surviving travel in a different country
March 10, 2022
Junior Lukis Beroth (left), junior Jack Dorfler (middle), and senior Evan Spence (right) are all business as they prepare to take on Southeast Polk.
The Band of Brothers wrap up an amazing season as Ankeny faces Southeast Polk in the State Championship
November 20, 2023
The Hawks are ready to take down the Centennial Jaguars.
Hawks run this town
November 12, 2023
Lukis Beroth (71) hugs Coach Jack Ward after the Ankeny victory.
Ankeny shocks Dowling in quarterfinal victory
November 5, 2023
Coach Brady Walz gathers the football team together between plays during the Johnston Dragons game on Oct. 27. For Ankeny’s football players, it is important to balance an intense practice schedule with academics throughout the week.
Behind the jersey: how football players find balance
November 3, 2023
The Hawks celebrate their win in the end zone .
Ankeny takes victory over Johnston to move onto quarterfinals
October 29, 2023
Sophomore Tarynn Hoffman-Muff uses Murrow, an AI-powered journalistic writing program, to create an outline for a story. The program thoroughly explains the steps needed for a successful piece and provides positive feedback and encouragement. This is just one example of AI’s top-tier teaching techniques used to build confidence in the student and reinforce their responses.
Artificial Intelligence in schools: Tool or weapon?
November 8, 2023
There’s some new faces at Ankeny High
There’s some new faces at Ankeny High
September 1, 2023
Saying goodbye is never easy. These 10 Ankeny High (AHS) teachers say goodbye to the Hawk Nest by sharing some of their fondest memories and experiences during their time at AHS.
Farewell to some Hawksome educators
June 2, 2023
The AHS student section hold up flashlights during the Homecoming game against Valley High School at Ankeny’s stadium on Sept. 30, 2022.
Football student sections: the reality
March 31, 2023
The 2022-2023 school year marks Dr. Daniel Johnsons first year as AHS principal. According to staff and students alike, it has not taken long for Dr. Johnson to make an impact by becoming more of a presence. From senior selfies and inspiring all to have a Hawksome day, Dr. Johnson is establishing a culture at AHS that supports every individual in the Hawk nest.
Defining Hawk culture
March 30, 2023
Sprinkling sparkles
September 7, 2023
Nest News #2- Week of 9/4/23
September 7, 2023
Nest News #1- Week of 9/28/23
September 7, 2023
Shown here is a BeReal posted by AHS senior Drew Taylor with fellow AHS students at a football game.
Let’s BeReal about social media
January 6, 2023
The Talon Talks is the Talons weekly podcast featuring in-depth interviews and student-run segments.
Episode 2: The Talon Talks Podcast
May 17, 2022
November Literary Magazine
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.
October Literary Magazine
October 13, 2023

The Talon

The Talon
Vivian Wu

Vivian Wu, Web/Print/Multimedia Editor; Videographer

Vivian Wu is a senior at Ankeny High School. She serves as co-web/print/multimedia editor and specializes in multimedia for The Talon. Outside of The Talon, Vivian is president of C.O.R.E., plays center snare for marching band, plays drums for Visual Adrenaline, is a member of the Mayor’s Youth Council, and helps lead Reel Ankeny Productions.

All content by Vivian Wu

[Video] The Talon promo

Vivian Wu, Web/Print/Multimedia Editor; Videographer
September 7, 2023

[Video] Sprinkling sparkles

Vivian Wu and Scott Kruse
September 7, 2023

Nest News #2- Week of 9/4/23

Vivian Wu and Scott Kruse
September 7, 2023

Nest News #1- Week of 9/28/23

Vivian Wu and Scott Kruse
September 7, 2023
The Ankeny school board had its meeting on Monday, June 19. In addition to finance approvals and facilities requests, some district employees spoke out regarding contract negotiations. “Hundreds of teachers show up at these school board meetings in hopes that a message will be delivered to you. However, the lack of questions being asked from your end only perpetuates the problem,” Centennial High math teacher Dana Degeeter said. Centennial High language arts interventionist Kelcy Lofgren expressed frustrations with the board process. “School board meetings were not moved to a larger venue when space was available to accommodate teachers who wanted to attend, Lofgren said. These actions signal that employees and employee voices are not valued.”

Ankeny school board meeting recap: June 19

Vivian Wu, Web/Print/Multimedia Editor; Videographer
June 20, 2023
Saying goodbye is never easy. These 10 Ankeny High (AHS) teachers say goodbye to the Hawk Nest by sharing some of their fondest memories and experiences during their time at AHS.

Farewell to some Hawksome educators

Joanna Guerrero, Scott Kruse, Julien Noble, Ava Tomlinson, and Vivian Wu
June 2, 2023
The National Champion Mock Trial team has placed Ankeny in the highest level, a level not typically seen for public schools. “There were tons of Ivy League prep schools—like the $40,000+ a year Princeton Day School from New Jersey that we eliminated in the second round—and so Ankeny stood out as a public school,” assistant coach of the Miller-Metzger Academy, Joe Metzger said. “We showed that not only can public school kids compete with prestigious prep schools. We can beat them.”

AHS Mock Trial: National Champions

Joanna Guerrero and Vivian Wu
May 24, 2023
The Miller-Metzger Academy with their coaches. From left to right: Stephanie Gray, Hannah Pross, Nicki Casady, Sareena Casady, Marissa Larson-Minar, Mallory Jordan, Hayden DeWitt, Chloe Andersen, Grant Miner, Marcus Miller, Noah Yeager, Joe Metzger, Raegan Hansen, Amy Akers.

AHS Mock Trial team wins State, Nationals next

Vivian Wu, Web/Print/Multimedia Editor; Videographer
April 6, 2023
Senior Sam Stember plays trumpet in the band room after school. His main instruments are tuba and bass trombone.“The fact that Sam is such a talented musician and the fact that he can play equally as good on bass trombone in Jazz Ensemble as he can on tuba in Concert Band and sousaphone in Marching Band [demonstrates how] Sam is a well-rounded, versatile musician,” Jennifer Williams, head director of Ankeny High School Bands, said.

It’s okay, he’s with the band

Vivian Wu, Web/Print/Multimedia Editor; Videographer
March 23, 2023
March 1 walkout organizer and senior Jemma Bullock left the crowd of protesters with a uplifting message.  “Just because you’re queer doesn’t make you any less human. You are who you are and you have to be proud of that. And I’m so proud of all of you for coming out. Thank you so, so much,” Bullock said.

The march continues

March 5, 2023
“Everyone is welcome no matter what part of the community youre a part of or not a part of, Iowa QSA and Iowa WTF member, walk out organizer, and senior Jemma Bullock said. The walk out seeks to bring attention to recent legislation in Iowa. Iowa WTF put together a list of Iowa legislative bills to watch. The group, according to their Instagram page is “A coalition of young people fighting discriminatory legislation through advocacy, activism, and civic engagement.”

AHS students to take part in state-wide walkout against recent legislation

Vivian Wu, Web/Print/Multimedia Editor; Videographer
February 28, 2023
This is a page from “Pasta,” a zine made by sophomore Julien Noble. In this zine, the protagonist makes spaghetti, the swirling noodles symbolize his swirling thoughts, and he is eventually consumed by his anxiety.

Youth in crisis

Vivian Wu, Web/Print/Multimedia Editor; Videographer
January 13, 2022

Hawks spread cheer for all to hear

Vivian Wu, Web/Print/Multimedia Editor; Videographer
December 23, 2021
English and acting teacher Mollie Jo Blahunka sings a bit from Frank Sinatras Mistletoe and Holly.

Holiday Hawks with heart

December 20, 2021

[Video] Happy holidays, AHS

Vivian Wu and Sarah Rose
December 14, 2021
Crochet/Knitting Club founder, junior Ocn Brown, ready to go with her knitting supplies.

Welcome to the Knitting, Crochet Club

Vivian Wu, Web/Print/Multimedia Editor; Videographer
November 18, 2021

[Video] Join Journalism!

October 29, 2021
The Talon News team held a press conference with five of the seven candidates running for Ankeny School Board election on Thursday, Oct. 28 at Ankeny High School. Candidates spoke on a wide variety of topics including the importance of empowering leadership, diversity and inclusion, and providing safe and welcoming environments for all in the Ankeny Community School District. Candidates pictured from left to right: Lori Bullock, Joy Burk, Shelly Northway, Lori Lovstad, and Sarah Barthole

A conversation with Ankeny School Board candidates

Jemma Bullock, Abby Stephenson, Autumn Mulford, Vivian Wu, and Luke Mora
October 28, 2021
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