The Talon

The Student News Site of Ankeny High School

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The Talon

The Talon

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

Ava Tomlinson, Web/Print/Multimedia Editor March 31, 2023

There is a cheerful mood throughout the student section tonight. It is the Homecoming football game against Valley and you are crammed in so tight with one another that you have difficulty moving. Everyone...

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,...

Ankeny students rally just outside of Ankeny High School holding pride flags and listening to speakers share personal stories about empowerment, frustrations, and hurt with regards to anti-LGBTQ legislation.  Ankeny High School students took part in a state-wide walkout along with 46 other schools and a total of 10,000 students on March 1. The walkout, organized by the Iowa Queer Student Alliance and Iowa WTF, was formed in response to recent legislation circulating the capitol. An estimated number of 150 students, grade 8-12, walked outside of the high school, waving rainbow flags and holding posters.

The march continues

Vivian Wu, Web/Print/Multimedia Editor; Videographer March 5, 2023

Protests, marches, and walkouts continue across Iowa as anti-LGBTQ legislation makes its way to the Capitol. So far 33 anti-LGBTQ laws have been introduced at the Iowa Capitol. Among these are House...

“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

On Wednesday, March 1, at 1:05 p.m., students from Ankeny High School will take part in a walkout for LGBTQ+ rights, along with 14 other Iowa public schools. These walkouts are in protest of the recent...

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,...

Awareness behind it all

Natalie Jasso and Kaylie Brandhorst  November 7, 2022

Ankeny High School students admit to being unaware to policies, laws, bills, and the educational stake in the upcoming midterm elections in Iowa.  Midterm elections are just around the corner on Nov....

AHSs mixed varsity show choir Visual Adrenaline performs Heal Their Their hearts/Freedom at the Southeast Polk Ramification Showcase on Feb. 26. This performance won them third place overall.

Show Choir: the pretty, the gritty, and the challenges

Scott Kruse, Business Editor March 25, 2022

Show choir is one of Ankeny High School’s (AHS) longer-running activities and one that comes with a lot of behind-the-scenes time commitments. Despite this, members manage to find joy in show choir and...

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

Jemma Bullock, Staff Reporter; Movie Reviewer March 10, 2022

Over this winter break, I went on an overseas trip to five European countries, and I have come back with many different pieces of advice on how to survive such a trip. Trips to different countries are...

Spider-man No Way Home has not only been one of the most hyped up movies of 2021, but one of the most hyped up movies ever. People from across the globe have had Dec. 17 circled on their calendar since the summer of 2017 when the movie was originally announced by Marvel. 
Senior Bradley Dacus and self proclaimed movie critic at Ankeny High School stated, “This is what it all has led up to, Spider-Mans biggest movie. I’ve been waiting for about a year for this movie and I can’t wait to see what happens.”

“Spider-man: No Way Home” movie review

Jemma Bullock and Connor Boger December 23, 2021

The spark of nostalgia is the driving force behind the movie, “Spider-man: No Way Home.” With the confirmed appearances of Willem Dafoe, Alfred Molina, and JK Simmons, as well as the potential cameos...

The 2021 Ankeny School Board, City Council, and Mayoral election winners.

Ankeny local election results

Jemma Bullock, Staff Reporter; Movie Reviewer November 3, 2021

The polls for the 2021 elections for Ankeny School Board, City Council, and Mayor closed on Nov. 2 at 8 p.m. and results were coming in 21 minutes later. The official election results were posted at 8:55...

Join Journalism!

October 29, 2021

Why Journalism? Be a voice for the community and the Hawk Nest. Cover real topics for real audiences using real skills. Not everyone who takes journalism goes on to pursue it after high school, but...

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

With local elections approaching, the Talon news team met with five of the seven Ankeny School Board candidates looking to fill the three open seats. Candidates Joy Burk, Lori Bullock, Sarah Barthole,...

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