The Student News Site of Ankeny High School

The Talon
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
House File 2082 will remove gender identity from the Iowa Civil Rights Act and list gender dysphoria as a disability. A hearing will be held at noon today, Jan. 31, at the Iowa Capitol about the bill.
A proposed bill will remove gender identity from the Iowa Civil Rights Act
January 31, 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
On this episode of The Gray Room, Griffin and I talk about student suggestions.
The Gray Room Podcast
April 1, 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
On this episode of The Gray Room, Griffin and I talk about student suggestions.
The Gray Room Podcast
April 1, 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
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
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
On this episode of The Gray Room, Griffin and I talk about student suggestions.
The Gray Room Podcast
March 4, 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
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

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 Districts 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 Districts current strategic plan, which outlines the districts 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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