The Student News Site of Ankeny High School

The Talon
Amidst a turbulent global landscape, the Iowa Capitol stands as a reminder to focus on the power of local government — where decisions impact daily lives most profoundly.
New faces, new policies: Local representatives and the future of Ankeny
December 20, 2024
Lockdowns have become a part of student's daily lives. Students are accustomed to practicing these drills to prepare for a school shooting, but are people taking these events seriously?
Lockdowns and the desensitization of school shootings
December 19, 2024
A faceoff during the junior varsity game.
Beyond the ice: How a hockey game unites a community
December 6, 2024
Made by Tobias Landmesser using Canva
Beyond the basics: Young voters navigate complex ballot choices
November 25, 2024
Hyper Energy Bar located at 1101 South Ankeny Boulevard opened on Nov. 11. Hyper fundraised for Ankeny Schools upon its opening and donated over $2,000 to the Ankeny Community School District.
Ankeny Hyper opens, already giving back to the community
November 13, 2024
Cover of ”GNX” by Kendrick Lamar which dropped Nov. 22 with a runtime of 44 minutes. pgLang, Interscope Records
“GNX” review
December 20, 2024
“Kraven the Hunter” is now playing in a theater near you. The film is rated R and runs at two hours and seven minutes. Movie poster from Columbia Pictures.
“Kraven the Hunter”: An entertaining spin on a classic villain
December 16, 2024
"Now Playing..." hosts Nolan and Blake talk about Snoop Dogg's new album and The Alchemist on episode 5. Design made using Canva.
Now Playing…
December 16, 2024
On episode 4 of "Now Playing..." Nolan and Blake talk about their top artists and songs of the year, along with new music from A$AP Rocky and Juice WRLD. Design by Nolan McNulty using Canva.
Now Playing…
December 9, 2024
“Wicked” is a rated PG film with a runtime of two hours and 40 minutes. Universal Pictures, Directed by Jon M. Chu “Gladiator 2” is an R rated film with a runtime of two hours and 28 minutes. Paramount Pictures, Directed by Ridley Scott Collage made by Julius Wiegand using Canva
“Wicked” vs. “Gladiator 2”
November 26, 2024
Mykal Johnson and Lucas Bellis record the first episode of The Sports Amigos with Grady Andersen and Nathan Gerth, featuring guest Sahil Noori. The five discuss the 12-team college football playoff.
The Sports Amigos
December 21, 2024
Cover of ”GNX” by Kendrick Lamar which dropped Nov. 22 with a runtime of 44 minutes. pgLang, Interscope Records
“GNX” review
December 20, 2024
“Kraven the Hunter” is now playing in a theater near you. The film is rated R and runs at two hours and seven minutes. Movie poster from Columbia Pictures.
“Kraven the Hunter”: An entertaining spin on a classic villain
December 16, 2024
"Now Playing..." hosts Nolan and Blake talk about Snoop Dogg's new album and The Alchemist on episode 5. Design made using Canva.
Now Playing…
December 16, 2024
On episode 4 of "Now Playing..." Nolan and Blake talk about their top artists and songs of the year, along with new music from A$AP Rocky and Juice WRLD. Design by Nolan McNulty using Canva.
Now Playing…
December 9, 2024
Mykal Johnson and Lucas Bellis record the first episode of The Sports Amigos with Grady Andersen and Nathan Gerth, featuring guest Sahil Noori. The five discuss the 12-team college football playoff.
The Sports Amigos
December 21, 2024
Hawkettes triumph over Valley in a 53-43 win
December 10, 2024
A faceoff during the junior varsity game.
Beyond the ice: How a hockey game unites a community
December 6, 2024
Jayla Williams goes up for the layup.
Ankeny Hawkettes fly over DMC Lions in a 50-36 win
December 4, 2024
Senior Jade Moser (20) inbounds the basketball. “It [playing on varsity] feels really great to just be here with my team," Moser said. "We've had a lot of posts in the past...It just feels great to be able to feel that role and be here for the team the same way they contributed in the past.”
Hawkettes soar to victory, dominating Little Cyclones 66-28 in Saturday showdown
November 24, 2024
Ankeny High School junior Garrett Hemmingsen poses after his halftime performance at the AHS home football game on Friday Oct. 18, 2024. The dance team was at the Iowa State Dance and Drill Team Association's state competition on Dec. 6 and came home with a Division 1 (highest rank) rating in all three dances, third place in class 3 contemporary, and fifth place class 9 in hip hop. Photo still by Amber Eft
Garrett Hemmingsen: The first male to ever join the AHS dance team
December 9, 2024
A faceoff during the junior varsity game.
Beyond the ice: How a hockey game unites a community
December 6, 2024
Students collaborate during Hawk Time as they tackle the New York Times crossword puzzle together, fostering a spirit of camaraderie and friendly competition.
Crossword puzzle challenge at Ankeny High School
December 3, 2024
A senior photo from coach Betten’s senior football season.
Football injury turned cheerleading National Champion
November 21, 2024
Senior Landen Rutter goes to high-five the student section before the football season's first game against cross-town rival Centennial.
United by the game
November 14, 2024
Mykal Johnson and Lucas Bellis record the first episode of The Sports Amigos with Grady Andersen and Nathan Gerth, featuring guest Sahil Noori. The five discuss the 12-team college football playoff.
The Sports Amigos
December 21, 2024
Lockdowns have become a part of student's daily lives. Students are accustomed to practicing these drills to prepare for a school shooting, but are people taking these events seriously?
Lockdowns and the desensitization of school shootings
December 19, 2024
"Now Playing..." hosts Nolan and Blake talk about Snoop Dogg's new album and The Alchemist on episode 5. Design made using Canva.
Now Playing…
December 16, 2024
Hawkettes triumph over Valley in a 53-43 win
December 10, 2024
Ankeny High School junior Garrett Hemmingsen poses after his halftime performance at the AHS home football game on Friday Oct. 18, 2024. The dance team was at the Iowa State Dance and Drill Team Association's state competition on Dec. 6 and came home with a Division 1 (highest rank) rating in all three dances, third place in class 3 contemporary, and fifth place class 9 in hip hop. Photo still by Amber Eft
Garrett Hemmingsen: The first male to ever join the AHS dance team
December 9, 2024
This month's 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 Talon's 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
  • 12/17 Band Performance
  • 12/17 Basketball @ Southeast Polk
  • 12/19 Swimming @ Valley
  • 12/19 Basketball v. Cedar Falls
  • 12/19 Wrestling @ Waukee

The Talon

The Talon
The 2022-2023 school year marks Dr. Daniel Johnson's 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

Ava Tomlinson, Web/Print/Multimedia Editor • March 30, 2023

Approaching the 2022 to 2023 school year, students and staff were curious as to who would fill the principal position for Ankeny High School (AHS). With five of six administration positions being replaced,...

AHS Principal Daniel Johnson sits in his office getting ready for the day.

Dr. Daniel Johnson takes on Ankeny High School

Ava Tomlinson, Web/Print/Multimedia Editor • January 9, 2023

It feels like electricity is surging throughout the school. Everyone is excited for the homecoming game on Friday. As you walk into the school you see someone in the distance, welcoming kids into the building,...

Ankeny Community School District's Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion (DEI) Framework was developed over the course of 2021 to 2022 in order to outline how the district will achieve its goals of success for every student and continuous improvement through informing strategic planning, policy and practice decisions, staffing decisions, and professional development.

Diversity, equity, inclusion (DEI): What is it?

Julien Noble, Design Editor • January 4, 2023

Information about how Ankeny Schools uses the DEI Framework and Title IX can also be found on the Ankeny Community School District website.

The Ankeny Community School District's current strategic plan, which outlines the district's operations from 2022 to 2027, is divided into three pillars, each representing a set of goals relating to a different part of the education process. The first focuses on preparing students for success after high school, the second focuses on effective teachers, building leadership, and other staff throughout the district, and the third focuses on providing students with a learning environment that enhances education.

‘This is a five year plan, and this is only year one’

Noa Jones, Editor; Staff Reporter • November 21, 2022

Ankeny Community School District’s new five-year strategic plan begins implementation this school year, and is intended to guide district-wide improvements in various areas. The strategic plan can be...

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