![Sophomore Lily Bell posing as a player in the senior assassin game. Seniors participating in the game eliminate others by squirting them with a water gun, and can wear goggles for immunity against others. “People did have to go out and buy [water] guns, but most people have the googles at home, but you don’t even have to use a gun, you can use water of any sort,” senior Gwyn Christensen said.](https://ahstalonnews.com/wp-content/uploads/2026/05/unnamed-1-1-900x1200.jpg)
![The shadows against a captivating blue are a nod to the “Catch Me If You Can” musical poster, both for this performance and the blue from the Broadway show. The detectives in this scene are at shooting practice, in preparation for when they finally encounter Frank Abagnale Jr. “We always say our motto is ‘theater is a team sport,’ and really just emphasizing to our students that everyone is welcome in the drama department. There's always a role for you, whether or not, on stage or behind the scenes, in the costume shop, in the scene shop. [There are] all sorts of different things that go into bringing a show to life. So we love our drama hawks and welcome everyone to drama,” Drama Director Mollie Jo Blahunka said.](https://ahstalonnews.com/wp-content/uploads/2026/04/cmiyc-1200x800.jpg)
![Henry, Emily (2021). People we meet on vacation [Book cover]. Berkley Books. Image used under fair use for purposes of commentary and review. Haley, Brett (2026). People we meet on vacation [Movie poster]. Movie poster courtesy of 3000 Pictures and Temple Hill Entertainment. Made by Adilyn Hoop using Canva.](https://ahstalonnews.com/wp-content/uploads/2026/01/vacay1.png)
![Lockhart, E. (2025). We fell apart [Book cover]. Delacorte Press. Image used under fair use for purposes of commentary and review. The newest book in the “We were liars” collection was released Nov. 4.](https://ahstalonnews.com/wp-content/uploads/2025/11/wefell1.png)
![A Group of PEOPEL PE students and helpers set up an obstacle course during class. The “Amazing Race” unit had started in PEOPEL PE where the students and helpers got to compete in a variety of different activities and games. “We try our best to make [inclusion] a school-wide event, but it's just so much more different when you actually engage with the students hands-on and actually get to know them as people.” Sophomore Bree Christensen said. Photo Taken by Ada McNulty.](https://ahstalonnews.com/wp-content/uploads/2026/05/unnamed-12-1200x900.jpg)
- Summer Break!
- 6/1 Softball @ Ankeny Centennial
- 6/1 Baseball @ Ankeny Centennial
- 6/2 Girls Soccer vs Marshalltown
- 6/3 Softball @ Urbandale
- 6/3 Baseball @ Urbandale
- 6/4 Softball vs Southeast Polk
- 6/4 Baseball vs Southeast Polk
- 6/4 Girls Soccer vs Cedar Rapids Kennedy
- 6/6 Baseball @ Simpson College
![Abby Jimenez’s newest novel was released on March 24, a forbidden romance between a man and his best friend's girlfriend. [Graphic by Adilyn Hoop using Canva] Jimenez, Abby (2026) The Night We Met [Book Cover] Forever, Hachette Book Group. Image used under fair use for commentary and review.](https://ahstalonnews.com/wp-content/uploads/2026/04/unnamed-5.png)
![An adventure story through Egypt with love, mystery, and betrayal. Ibañez, Isabel (2023). What the river knows [Book cover]. Wednesday books. Image used under fair use for purposes of commentary and review.](https://ahstalonnews.com/wp-content/uploads/2026/03/river1.png)
![Released Jan. 27, “Dear Debbie” takes the idea of a traditional housewife and lets her give in to the intrusive thoughts of revenge one wouldn’t expect from her role. McFadden, Frieda (2026) Dear Debbie [Book Cover] Poisoned Pen Press. Image used under fair use for commentary and review.](https://ahstalonnews.com/wp-content/uploads/2026/02/debbie1.png)
![“The Housemaid,” a #1 New York Times Bestseller, is being remade into a movie that represents McFadden’s masterpiece of a novel. The author, known by the pen name Frieda McFadden, is actually a brain surgeon. McFadden, Freida (2022). The Housemaid [Book cover]. Bookouture. Image used under fair use for purposes of commentary and review.](https://ahstalonnews.com/wp-content/uploads/2025/12/review1.png)
