The Student News Source Of Kennedy High School

Kennedy Torch
Dana Melone, recipient of the American Psychological Association TOPSS Charles T. Blair-Broeker Excellence in Teaching award
Kennedy Psychology Teacher Dana Melone Wins Major Award
Teachers struggle to conduct day-to-day operation in the wake of a printing budget deficit.
Kennedy Teachers Face a Printing Crisis, Limited to 25 Pages Per Day
Kennedy' spring musical "Hadestown" audition camp and auditions will be held March 31 through April 2
Kennedy Theatre Department Prepares for Atypical Spring Musical Auditions
Classroom environment set to change for incoming freshmen in new Seminar Elective in the 2025-2026 school year.
Freshmen Seminar Confirmed as Elective for 2025-2026 School Year
The future of CRCSD remains uncertain as several questions are raised regarding curriculum changes.
Innovative or Ill-Conceived: College and Career Pathways Come to CRCSD
Taking a shot on goal, freshman Bibek Magar looks to get his first goal on the season.
Kennedy Varsity Soccer Begins Season With Tie Against Waterloo West
Intercepting the ball, sophomore Gracie Feltes breaks free from the Xavier opponent.
Photos: Varsity Girls Soccer Jamboree
Senior Trey McKowen receives the Boys Basketball State Qualifier banner from Kennedy athletic director Shawn Thomsen.
Kennedy Varsity Boys Basketball: A Season of Growth
Throughout Meredith Kaump's wrestling season she has had support from her friends and family.
Meredith Kaump Places Sixth at Girls State Wrestling
Senior Ella Moser Hits 1,000 Points In Her High School Basketball Career.
Senior Ella Moser Hits 1,000 Points In Her High School Basketball Career.
"Got Paper?": This editorial cartoon addresses the current paper shortage going on at Kennedy High School. Hence why Mike from the office is talking to Kline, because he owns a paper company. This is a comedic take on the current dilemma that our school is facing.
Editorial Cartoon: Got Paper?
The new "drag" ban bill (HF891) that is currently under review originally targeted drag shows by stating if a minor attended or viewed the performance, all parties involved could be charged with a felony. The restriction now concerns anyone who allows/performs an "obscene performance" in front of a minor, but the word obscene is subjective and leaves the law up to interpretation.
Editorial Cartoon: To Be or Not To Be Obscene
"Mufasa" succeeds in conveying the story of Simbas father from the original "Lion King".
Mufasa Makes a Splash in the Box Office
TikTok is a time sink for a number of users, designed to be addicting.
The TikTok Time-Bomb
As the political climate shifts, so does that of education.
Editorial Cartoon: A Shifting Stance on Education
Key Clubs Provides Volunteer Opportunities to KHS Students
Key Clubs Provides Volunteer Opportunities to KHS Students
Dana Melone, recipient of the American Psychological Association TOPSS Charles T. Blair-Broeker Excellence in Teaching award
Kennedy Psychology Teacher Dana Melone Wins Major Award
DnD Club Engages Students in Cult Classic Game Dungeons and Dragons
DnD Club Engages Students in Cult Classic Game Dungeons and Dragons
Kennedy High School participates in an annual student exchange with a school in Japan.
Bridging Cultures: Japanese Exchange Students Experience Student Life at Kennedy
Speech members celebrate after receiving their scores.
Large-Group Speech Season Wraps Up in Ames
Dana Melone, recipient of the American Psychological Association TOPSS Charles T. Blair-Broeker Excellence in Teaching award
Kennedy Psychology Teacher Dana Melone Wins Major Award
Throughout Meredith Kaump's wrestling season she has had support from her friends and family.
Meredith Kaump Places Sixth at Girls State Wrestling
Junior, Kennedy girl's wrestler, Olivia Hallam who has recently earned a state title.
Olivia Hallam Ranks Fourth at Girls State Wrestling
Senior Eliana Hansen has completed in pageants since 2021.
Elíana Hansen: Finding Confidence in Pageantry
Freshman Bentley Dill runs down the court while protecting the ball.
Freshman Bentley Dill Joins Kennedy Girls Basketball
Illustration: Hadestown Construction Has Begun!
Illustration: Hadestown Construction Has Begun!
Torch Out Loud, the Kennedy Torch podcast, presents a new episode.
Torch Out Loud: Moonlight Express on Jazz Choir at Kennedy
All- State qualifiers of Speech and Improv before performing last month.
Kennedy’s All-State Speech and Improv Team Perform in Showcase
Kennedy' spring musical "Hadestown" audition camp and auditions will be held March 31 through April 2
Kennedy Theatre Department Prepares for Atypical Spring Musical Auditions
Happiness, Inc. members portray the father (senior Avery Theis) and son (junior Saul Ervin) in the choir's show.
Varsity Show Choir ‘Happiness’ Season Recap
Taking a shot on goal, freshman Bibek Magar looks to get his first goal on the season.
Kennedy Varsity Soccer Begins Season With Tie Against Waterloo West
Senior Trey McKowen receives the Boys Basketball State Qualifier banner from Kennedy athletic director Shawn Thomsen.
Kennedy Varsity Boys Basketball: A Season of Growth
During the national anthem, the Kennedy basketball team stands together.
Photos: Kennedy Varsity Boys Basketball Defeats Waterloo West on February 24
Elevating above the Xavier opponent, McKowen looks to hit a three from deep.
Photos: Kennedy Varsity Boys Basketball Defeats Xavier on January 31
Freshman Wrigley Davidson looks to pass the ball to freshman August Wilkes.
Photos: Freshman Boys Basketball Defeated by Xavier on January 30
The Student News Source Of Kennedy High School

Kennedy Torch
The Student News Source Of Kennedy High School

Kennedy Torch
Recent Stories
News
Dana Melone, recipient of the American Psychological Association TOPSS Charles T. Blair-Broeker Excellence in Teaching award
Kennedy Psychology Teacher Dana Melone Wins Major Award
Maggie Goldberg, Writer • April 22, 2025

This April, Kennedy psychology teacher Dana Melone was selected to receive the American Psychological Association TOPSS Charles T. Blair-Broeker Excellence in Teaching award....

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Teachers struggle to conduct day-to-day operation in the wake of a printing budget deficit.
Kennedy Teachers Face a Printing Crisis, Limited to 25 Pages Per Day
Torch Editorial Board, Writers • April 3, 2025

Kennedy High School has passed their paper budget, with over one million papers being printed this school year alone. Throughout the last couple of months, Kennedy teachers...

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Kennedy' spring musical "Hadestown" audition camp and auditions will be held March 31 through April 2
Kennedy Theatre Department Prepares for Atypical Spring Musical Auditions
Sage Clow and Briella Temple • March 29, 2025

The Kennedy Theatre Department will be holding an audition camp for the spring musical "Hadestown" from March 31 to April 1. Students planning to audition will learn dances...

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View All
Trending Stories
1
Teachers struggle to conduct day-to-day operation in the wake of a printing budget deficit.

Kennedy Teachers Face a Printing Crisis, Limited to 25 Pages Per Day

2
Kennedy teachers are concerned over lack of information and consultation.

Former GIPS Employee Speaks Out About Superintendent Grover's Leadership

3
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?

4
Kennedy' spring musical "Hadestown" audition camp and auditions will be held March 31 through April 2

Kennedy Theatre Department Prepares for Atypical Spring Musical Auditions

5
Taking a shot on goal, freshman Bibek Magar looks to get his first goal on the season.

Kennedy Varsity Soccer Begins Season With Tie Against Waterloo West

6
All- State qualifiers of Speech and Improv before performing last month.

Kennedy's All-State Speech and Improv Team Perform in Showcase

7
"Got Paper?": This editorial cartoon addresses the current paper shortage going on at Kennedy High School. Hence why Mike from the office is talking to Kline, because he owns a paper company. This is a comedic take on the current dilemma that our school is facing.

Editorial Cartoon: Got Paper?

8
Dana Melone, recipient of the American Psychological Association TOPSS Charles T. Blair-Broeker Excellence in Teaching award

Kennedy Psychology Teacher Dana Melone Wins Major Award

9
The moldy bread wall experiment, located outside of room 52.

Food Fundamentals: The Moldy Bread Experiment

10
Quiz: Which US President Are You?

Quiz: Which US President Are You?

Sports
Taking a shot on goal, freshman Bibek Magar looks to get his first goal on the season.
Kennedy Varsity Soccer Begins Season With Tie Against Waterloo West
Gabe Copley, Writer • April 11, 2025

The Kennedy Varsity Boys Soccer Team kicked off their season on Thursday, April 3 with a game against Waterloo West which ended in a 1-1 tie. The team went 3-12 last season...

Intercepting the ball, sophomore Gracie Feltes breaks free from the Xavier opponent.
Photos: Varsity Girls Soccer Jamboree
April 8, 2025
Senior Trey McKowen receives the Boys Basketball State Qualifier banner from Kennedy athletic director Shawn Thomsen.
Kennedy Varsity Boys Basketball: A Season of Growth
March 14, 2025
Throughout Meredith Kaump's wrestling season she has had support from her friends and family.
Meredith Kaump Places Sixth at Girls State Wrestling
March 11, 2025
Opinion
"Got Paper?": This editorial cartoon addresses the current paper shortage going on at Kennedy High School. Hence why Mike from the office is talking to Kline, because he owns a paper company. This is a comedic take on the current dilemma that our school is facing.
Editorial Cartoon: Got Paper?
Izzy Westercamp, Artist • April 4, 2025

The new "drag" ban bill (HF891) that is currently under review originally targeted drag shows by stating if a minor attended or viewed the performance, all parties involved could be charged with a felony. The restriction now concerns anyone who allows/performs an "obscene performance" in front of a minor, but the word obscene is subjective and leaves the law up to interpretation.
Editorial Cartoon: To Be or Not To Be Obscene
March 28, 2025
"Mufasa" succeeds in conveying the story of Simbas father from the original "Lion King".
Mufasa Makes a Splash in the Box Office
February 27, 2025
TikTok is a time sink for a number of users, designed to be addicting.
The TikTok Time-Bomb
February 18, 2025
Wenig Weather Report


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April 30
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Class of 2025 Graduation
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Your donation will support the student journalists of Kennedy High School - IA. Your contribution will go towards the purchase of a new lens for our photographers.

Meet The Staff
Gabe Copley
Gabe Copley
Photographer

Hi, my name is Gabe and I'm a sophomore. This is my first year in torch as a photographer and I'm looking forward to doing some sports writing as well. 

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.

Haile Miller
Haile Miller
Drafting Editor

Hi! My name is Haile and I'm a senior at Kennedy. This is my third year in Torch. Outside of Torch, I'm involved in various activities including swimming, theater and show choir. In my free time, I enjoy hanging out with my friends, watching movies and playing with my dogs.

Arts and Culture
Illustration: Hadestown Construction Has Begun!
Illustration: Hadestown Construction Has Begun!
Izzy Westercamp, Artist/graphic Designer • April 28, 2025

Torch Out Loud, the Kennedy Torch podcast, presents a new episode.
Torch Out Loud: Moonlight Express on Jazz Choir at Kennedy
April 15, 2025
All- State qualifiers of Speech and Improv before performing last month.
Kennedy’s All-State Speech and Improv Team Perform in Showcase
April 14, 2025
Kennedy' spring musical "Hadestown" audition camp and auditions will be held March 31 through April 2
Kennedy Theatre Department Prepares for Atypical Spring Musical Auditions
March 29, 2025
Happiness, Inc. members portray the father (senior Avery Theis) and son (junior Saul Ervin) in the choir's show.
Varsity Show Choir ‘Happiness’ Season Recap
March 26, 2025
Photos
Donate to Kennedy Torch
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