The Student News Source Of Kennedy High School

Kennedy Torch
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
Kennedy's color guard accompanies the marching band's show "Shattered" with technicolor flags.
Winter Color Guard Places Third on 3/9
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.
Sophomore Kylan Walsh after winning a match against Iowa City.
Boys State Wrestling Yields Two Competitors
During the national anthem, the Kennedy basketball team stands together.
Photos: Kennedy Varsity Boys Basketball Defeats Waterloo West on February 24
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
Instructional Empowerment Program Misses the Mark for CRCSD High Schoolers
Instructional Empowerment Program Misses the Mark for CRCSD High Schoolers
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
Kennedy's Model UN Provides Diplomatic Opportunities for Students
Kennedy’s Model UN Provides Diplomatic Opportunities for Students
Instructor Brain Jeffords adds weight to a bridge.
Photos: Kennedy’s Project Lead the Way Experiments with Engineering and Construction
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
Tackling a Davenport North player, Henry Wilkes nears the 50 yard line.
Henry Wilkes: Students, Athlete, Musician
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
Kennedy's color guard accompanies the marching band's show "Shattered" with technicolor flags.
Winter Color Guard Places Third on 3/9
National History Day is a competition for both middle and high school students.
High Schoolers Enter National History Day Senior Division
Divya Ramadugu holds up qualified 2025 National Speech & Debate Tournament certificate.
Select Speech and Debate Students Prepare for Nationals
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
Varsity boys wrestlers run onto the mat to open the Varsity meet.
Photos: Kennedy Hosts Boys Wrestling Military Appreciation Night on January 7
The Student News Source Of Kennedy High School

Kennedy Torch
The Student News Source Of Kennedy High School

Kennedy Torch
Recent Stories
News
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...

Continue Reading
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
Haimi Malde, Writer • March 26, 2025

Kennedy staff is working on creating the class this year and will start in the 25-26 school year. Kennedy Language arts teacher, Christina Langton, is a part of directing...

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View All
Trending Stories
1
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?

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

Former GIPS Employee Speaks Out About Superintendent Grover's Leadership

3
Sophomore Kylan Walsh after winning a match against Iowa City.

Boys State Wrestling Yields Two Competitors

4
The moldy bread wall experiment, located outside of room 52.

Food Fundamentals: The Moldy Bread Experiment

5
National History Day is a competition for both middle and high school students.

High Schoolers Enter National History Day Senior Division

6
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

7
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.

8
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

9
Senior Trey McKowen receives the Boys Basketball State Qualifier banner from Kennedy athletic director Shawn Thomsen.

Kennedy Varsity Boys Basketball: A Season of Growth

10
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

Sports
Senior Trey McKowen receives the Boys Basketball State Qualifier banner from Kennedy athletic director Shawn Thomsen.
Kennedy Varsity Boys Basketball: A Season of Growth
Gabe Copley, Writer • March 14, 2025

The Kennedy Varsity Boys Basketball team finished with a record of 20-5 while earning their fourth consecutive state tournament appearance. Four of their five losses occurred...

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
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.
March 5, 2025
Sophomore Kylan Walsh after winning a match against Iowa City.
Boys State Wrestling Yields Two Competitors
March 5, 2025
Opinion
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
Izzy Westercamp, Artist • 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
As the political climate shifts, so does that of education.
Editorial Cartoon: A Shifting Stance on Education
February 10, 2025
Wenig Weather Report


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April 3
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Patchy rain nearby
April 5
46°/ 34°
Patchy rain nearby
Class of 2025 Graduation
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Meet The Staff
Brook Gilchrist
Brook Gilchrist
Writer, Photographer

Hi! My name is Brook and I am a junior in my second year of Torch. I am a writer and photographer! Outside of Torch I love golf, skiing, travel and spending time with my friends and family. 

Taryn Oberthien
Taryn Oberthien
Writer, Photographer

Hi! My name is Taryn, I'm a freshman in Torch and I am looking forward to writing sports recaps and taking photos. I am on the Kennedy Dance Team, as well as competing at my studio, The Dancers Edge. Along with dance and Torch, I love hanging out with my friends and going shopping!

Izzy Westercamp
Izzy Westercamp
Designer

Hi! My name is Izzy and I'm a junior at Kennedy High School. This is my first year in Torch. Outside of Torch ,I'm involved in many activities such as Happiness Inc., Moonlight Express, speech, theater, voice lessons and weightlifting! Outside of school I love to hang out with my friends.

Arts and Culture
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...

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
Kennedy's color guard accompanies the marching band's show "Shattered" with technicolor flags.
Winter Color Guard Places Third on 3/9
March 14, 2025
National History Day is a competition for both middle and high school students.
High Schoolers Enter National History Day Senior Division
March 13, 2025
Divya Ramadugu holds up qualified 2025 National Speech & Debate Tournament certificate.
Select Speech and Debate Students Prepare for Nationals
February 28, 2025
Photos
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$750
Contributed
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