The Student News Source Of Kennedy High School

Kennedy Torch
Hiawatha Library roaches out to local teens through activity nights.
Hiawatha Library Offers Teen Involvement Program
Kennedy Symphony Orchestra performs Swan Lake at annual winter concert.
Kennedy Orchestra to Host Fall Concert at End of October
Kennedy's "Elf The Musical Jr." set to hold auditions on Oct. 15-16.
Kennedy Announces Winter Musical “Elf Jr.” to Audition October 14 and 15
Kennedy Volleyball team huddles around bench during time out.
Kennedy Volleyball Welcomes New Coaching Staff
Junior Ellison Pierce runs the ball during the annual Powderpuff game.
Homecoming Week Puts Kennedy Student Life on Display
Kennedy Volleyball team huddles around bench during time out.
Kennedy Volleyball Welcomes New Coaching Staff
Team captains line up for the coin toss.
Photos: Kennedy Football Taken Down by Iowa City High at Homecoming Game
Seniors Ady Hermanson and Jenna Younge block the ball.
Photos: Varsity Volleyball Defeated by Xavier Saints on 9/24
Kennedy Varsity Football kicks off the game with the traditional run onto the field with the American flag.
Photos: Kennedy Varsity Football Takes on Washington Warriors on 9/20
The Kennedy Freshman Volleyball Team huddles and plans for their first set.
Photos: Freshman Volleyball Defeats Jefferson September 23
Iowa's New attendance policy took effect on July 1.
Iowa’s New Attendance Policy Takes Effect on Cedar Rapids Schools
Should phones be allowed in classrooms at Kennedy?
Cell Phone Policy Sweeps Kennedy, Do Benefits Outweigh Potential Danger?
Iowa's Hinterland Music Festival grounds packed shoulder-to-shoulder with patrons on day three.
The Hinterland Experience: Greedy Cash Grab or Underprepared Concert Goers?
The crowded halls of Kennedy High School during passing time.
Chaos in Crowded Halls
Kennedy students party at prom before Kennedy introduces new policy.
Is Kennedy’s New School Dance Policy Necessary or Just Inequitable?
Instructor Brain Jeffords adds weight to a bridge.
Photos: Kennedy’s Project Lead the Way Experiments with Engineering and Construction
Senior Willa Bowman joins second and third graders in a cheer.
Junior Cougars Get First Glimpse of School Spirit at Kennedy’s Annual Cheer and Dance Clinic
Holding off a defender, Junior Hawkeye football commit, and left tackle Nicolai Brooks helps open a gap for running back senior Trevor Scott.
Brothers: Together as One
The Kennedy Girls Varsity Volleyball team regrouping during their match.
Bump, Set, Spike
Teachers Patrick Cory and Katie Peterson dress up as Mr. and Mrs. Claus the day before winter break. They dope to spread joy among the students.
Walking in a KHS Wonderland
Senior Safal Bhattarai participates in the 'Best Outfit' challenge at a pep rally.
We Did It, Safal.
Senior Jersey Bilyeu plays vibraphone with Kennedy Jazz 1.
Jersey Bilyeu: Making Her Rounds Across Kennedy Fine Arts
Ella Brown pins opponent down.
Ella Brown Returns to State
In a neutral position, sophomore Meredith Kaump stands her ground.
Meredith Kaump Stands her Ground Throughout the Season
Schlakk brings the house down with a two handed slam dunk.
Micah Schlaak: A Killer on the Court
Kennedy Symphony Orchestra performs Swan Lake at annual winter concert.
Kennedy Orchestra to Host Fall Concert at End of October
Kennedy's "Elf The Musical Jr." set to hold auditions on Oct. 15-16.
Kennedy Announces Winter Musical “Elf Jr.” to Audition October 14 and 15
Iowa's Hinterland Music Festival grounds packed shoulder-to-shoulder with patrons on day three.
The Hinterland Experience: Greedy Cash Grab or Underprepared Concert Goers?
Plain Brown Wrapper prepares to print for the first time in two years.
Plain Brown Wrapper Gears Up for a New Edition
Kline discussing the meaning of the spirit stick at a pep assembly.
Video: Juniors Take Home Spirit Stick at Kennedy’s Fall Pep Assembly
Kennedy's junior class ecstatic after winning the spirit stick.
Photos: Juniors Win Fall Pep Assembly on August 29
Team captains line up for the coin toss.
Photos: Kennedy Football Taken Down by Iowa City High at Homecoming Game
Seniors Ady Hermanson and Jenna Younge block the ball.
Photos: Varsity Volleyball Defeated by Xavier Saints on 9/24
Kennedy Varsity Football kicks off the game with the traditional run onto the field with the American flag.
Photos: Kennedy Varsity Football Takes on Washington Warriors on 9/20
Junior Ellison Pierce runs the ball during the annual Powderpuff game.
Homecoming Week Puts Kennedy Student Life on Display
The Student News Source Of Kennedy High School

Kennedy Torch
The Student News Source Of Kennedy High School

Kennedy Torch
Recent Stories
News
Hiawatha Library roaches out to local teens through activity nights.
Hiawatha Library Offers Teen Involvement Program
Mimi Pezo, Writer • October 17, 2024

The Hiawatha Public Library offers a community program that encourages students to participate in various activities such as writing nights, therapy dog nights, programming...

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Kennedy Symphony Orchestra performs Swan Lake at annual winter concert.
Kennedy Orchestra to Host Fall Concert at End of October
Ramsay Geater, Writer • October 15, 2024

Symphony and String Orchestra students are performing their fall concert on Oct. 29 in the Kennedy Auditorium.  Songs “Dance Diabolique” “Reverie” and “Ghost...

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Kennedy's "Elf The Musical Jr." set to hold auditions on Oct. 15-16.
Kennedy Announces Winter Musical "Elf Jr." to Audition October 14 and 15
Onnika Hallam, Writer • October 11, 2024

This year's winter musical at Kennedy is the classic Christmas tale featuring Buddy the Elf, Elf The Musical Jr. This show takes the story of box office sensation Elf and...

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Trending Stories
1
Kennedy students party at prom before Kennedy introduces new policy.

Is Kennedy's New School Dance Policy Necessary or Just Inequitable?

2
As consumers we tend to skim nutrition labels...would you even notice if it read "may contain rats" ?

Rats: A New Superfood In Your Drink?

3
Kennedy's student body shows their Cougar pride at the Kennedys home game against Pleasant Valley.

Student Section Etiquette: The DOs and DON'Ts of a High School Student Section

4
Kennedy Volleyball team huddles around bench during time out.

Kennedy Volleyball Welcomes New Coaching Staff

5
Many Iowan teens and parents are unaware of the curfew for all those 18 and under.

Iowa Has Curfew for Teens Under 18

6
Iowa's New attendance policy took effect on July 1.

Iowa's New Attendance Policy Takes Effect on Cedar Rapids Schools

7
Iowa's Hinterland Music Festival grounds packed shoulder-to-shoulder with patrons on day three.

The Hinterland Experience: Greedy Cash Grab or Underprepared Concert Goers?

8
Ariana Grande's "Eternal Sunshine" album cover.

Ariana Grande's Eternal Sunshine Review

9
Junior Ellison Pierce runs the ball during the annual Powderpuff game.

Homecoming Week Puts Kennedy Student Life on Display

10
The crowded halls of Kennedy High School during passing time.

Chaos in Crowded Halls

Sports
Kennedy Volleyball team huddles around bench during time out.
Kennedy Volleyball Welcomes New Coaching Staff
Maggie Goldberg and Lucy McCord • October 9, 2024

Kennedy Volleyball did not have a strong season in 2023 with a record of 11-27. As the 2024-2025 season kicked off, things were different at the first game. The Cougars introduced...

Team captains line up for the coin toss.
Photos: Kennedy Football Taken Down by Iowa City High at Homecoming Game
October 8, 2024
Seniors Ady Hermanson and Jenna Younge block the ball.
Photos: Varsity Volleyball Defeated by Xavier Saints on 9/24
October 7, 2024
Kennedy Varsity Football kicks off the game with the traditional run onto the field with the American flag.
Photos: Kennedy Varsity Football Takes on Washington Warriors on 9/20
October 5, 2024
Opinion
Iowa's New attendance policy took effect on July 1.
Iowa's New Attendance Policy Takes Effect on Cedar Rapids Schools
Mimi Pezo, Writer • October 15, 2024

During the 2022-2023 school year, over 22.6% of enrolled Iowa students were considered chronically absent. To address this issue, Iowa has implemented Senate File 2435, enacting...

Should phones be allowed in classrooms at Kennedy?
Cell Phone Policy Sweeps Kennedy, Do Benefits Outweigh Potential Danger?
October 11, 2024
Iowa's Hinterland Music Festival grounds packed shoulder-to-shoulder with patrons on day three.
The Hinterland Experience: Greedy Cash Grab or Underprepared Concert Goers?
October 7, 2024
The crowded halls of Kennedy High School during passing time.
Chaos in Crowded Halls
September 30, 2024
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Meet The Staff
Kaitlyn Dolphin
Kaitlyn Dolphin
Managing Editor

Hey! I’m Kaitlyn, this is my third year in Torch. I run and make graphics for our social media and design for all of our newspapers and magazines. Outside of Torch, I'm in Happiness Inc. and Eclipse at Kennedy. In my free time I like to hang out with my friends, read and listen to music.

Ramsay Geater
Ramsay Geater
Photographer

I'm Ramsay Geater and I'm a sophomore. I do photography and I run cross country and track. Outside of school, I enjoy activities being outdoors.

Lara Secl
Lara Secl
Designer

Hello! My name is Lara Secl and I'm a senior at Kennedy High School. This is my fourth year working with the Torch. I specialize in graphic design and visual pieces. Outside of Torch, I march in the marching band, perform indoor percussion, play in the concert and symphonic bands, participate in robotics and take several AP and Kirkwood classes.

Arts and Culture
Kennedy Symphony Orchestra performs Swan Lake at annual winter concert.
Kennedy Orchestra to Host Fall Concert at End of October
Ramsay Geater, Writer • October 15, 2024

Symphony and String Orchestra students are performing their fall concert on Oct. 29 in the Kennedy Auditorium.  Songs “Dance Diabolique”...

Kennedy's "Elf The Musical Jr." set to hold auditions on Oct. 15-16.
Kennedy Announces Winter Musical "Elf Jr." to Audition October 14 and 15
October 11, 2024
Iowa's Hinterland Music Festival grounds packed shoulder-to-shoulder with patrons on day three.
The Hinterland Experience: Greedy Cash Grab or Underprepared Concert Goers?
October 7, 2024
Plain Brown Wrapper prepares to print for the first time in two years.
Plain Brown Wrapper Gears Up for a New Edition
September 25, 2024
Kline discussing the meaning of the spirit stick at a pep assembly.
Video: Juniors Take Home Spirit Stick at Kennedy's Fall Pep Assembly
September 19, 2024
Photos
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$215
$750
Contributed
Our Goal