The Student News Source Of Kennedy High School

Kennedy Torch
Student speaker and newly elected 2025 Class Officer Brian Li participates in the introductory speech.
Celebrating Scholars: Two Kennedy Seniors are Awarded Prestigious Scholarship
Taking a win for Kennedy is senior Ella Brown.
A High School Wrestling Icon: Ella Brown’s Senior Season
7 Brew on Collins opening Jun 2
7 Brew: New Coffee Shop Opens Soon
Behind the Scenes: The Stage Crew Behind Happiness Inc.
Hadestown Poster designed by student Onnika Hallam
Kennedy High School Theatre Performs Hadestown May 8-10
Swimming to Success
Senior Lillian Cogdill holds her medal after placing in the top 10.
Running Towards Graduation
Taking a win for Kennedy is senior Ella Brown.
A High School Wrestling Icon: Ella Brown’s Senior Season
Uncorking his pitch, junior Leo Koester looks to strike out another City High player
Photos: Kennedy Varsity Baseball Splits Doubleheader With City High
Junior Caitilyn Ruggeri prepares for the serve.
Caitilyn Ruggeri Scores During Her Junior Year
As students graduate they look for their next step in their lives. Looking at different colleges and career paths to pursue.
What Do You Want to Be When You Grow Up
"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
7 Brew on Collins opening Jun 2
7 Brew: New Coffee Shop Opens Soon
The Street Food Fighter serves food to the Cedar Rapids community.
“Food is Love”: How The Street Food Fighter Feeds the Soul
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
Behind the Scenes: The Stage Crew Behind Happiness Inc.
Junior Caitilyn Ruggeri prepares for the serve.
Caitilyn Ruggeri Scores During Her Junior Year
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
Color guard and band members get into position for the show to begin.
From Guard to Graduation
Behind the Scenes: The Stage Crew Behind Happiness Inc.
Small Buisness Highlight: Nail Artist beautyxxmarina Leaves Clients Satisfied
Small Buisness Highlight: Nail Artist beautyxxmarina Leaves Clients Satisfied
Jazz Band playing at Kennedy's Performance of The Nutcracker
Kennedy Jazz Band Qualifies for Championships for the First Time in School History
Hadestown Poster designed by student Onnika Hallam
Kennedy High School Theatre Performs Hadestown May 8-10
Uncorking his pitch, junior Leo Koester looks to strike out another City High player
Photos: Kennedy Varsity Baseball Splits Doubleheader With City High
Hadestown Poster designed by student Onnika Hallam
Kennedy High School Theatre Performs Hadestown May 8-10
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
The Student News Source Of Kennedy High School

Kennedy Torch
The Student News Source Of Kennedy High School

Kennedy Torch
Recent Stories
News
Student speaker and newly elected 2025 Class Officer Brian Li participates in the introductory speech.
Celebrating Scholars: Two Kennedy Seniors are Awarded Prestigious Scholarship
Lucy McCord, Copy Editor • June 9, 2025

As the 2024-2025 school year ends, seniors get ready to graduate and move on to the next chapter of their lives. Seniors Sonja Woerner and Brian Li  made their mark on Kennedy...

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Taking a win for Kennedy is senior Ella Brown.
A High School Wrestling Icon: Ella Brown’s Senior Season
Avery Smith, Writer • June 4, 2025

Senior Ella Brown wrapped up her final season of high school wrestling as state runner-up.  Brown had a remarkable four seasons of girl’s wrestling. Throughout the nine...

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7 Brew on Collins opening Jun 2
7 Brew: New Coffee Shop Opens Soon
Mela Baccam • June 2, 2025

As the summer season is approaching, the citizens of cedar rapids have been ecstatic for the grand opening of 7 Brew drive thru coffee shop. June 2nd is when the location...

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Trending Stories
1
7 Brew on Collins opening Jun 2

7 Brew: New Coffee Shop Opens Soon

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
The Iowa High School Music Association come under fire for All-State disqualification.

Guest Editorial: Music Department Chair Storm Ziegler on Harpists All-State Disqualification

4
Kennedy teachers are concerned over lack of information and consultation.

Former GIPS Employee Speaks Out About Superintendent Grover's Leadership

5

Behind the Scenes: The Stage Crew Behind Happiness Inc.

6
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?

7
Taking a win for Kennedy is senior Ella Brown.

A High School Wrestling Icon: Ella Brown's Senior Season

8
Color guard and band members get into position for the show to begin.

From Guard to Graduation

9
Student speaker and newly elected 2025 Class Officer Brian Li participates in the introductory speech.

Celebrating Scholars: Two Kennedy Seniors are Awarded Prestigious Scholarship

10
The Street Food Fighter serves food to the Cedar Rapids community.

"Food is Love": How The Street Food Fighter Feeds the Soul

Sports
Swimming to Success
Brook Gilchrist, Writer • June 11, 2025

Swimmer of 12 years, senior Lilly Adams, has led the Kennedy Girls Swimming and Diving Team throughout her years on Kennedy. Her main events consist of the 200 Yard Freestyle...

Senior Lillian Cogdill holds her medal after placing in the top 10.
Running Towards Graduation
June 10, 2025
Taking a win for Kennedy is senior Ella Brown.
A High School Wrestling Icon: Ella Brown’s Senior Season
June 4, 2025
Uncorking his pitch, junior Leo Koester looks to strike out another City High player
Photos: Kennedy Varsity Baseball Splits Doubleheader With City High
May 29, 2025
Opinion
As students graduate they look for their next step in their lives. Looking at different colleges and career paths to pursue.
What Do You Want to Be When You Grow Up
Mimi Pezo, Writer • June 13, 2025

It’s a question that nearly everyone has been asked at some point in their lives. As kids, our answers were often filled with excitement: astronauts, doctors, superheroes....

"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?
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
Wenig Weather Report


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June 22
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June 23
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June 24
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Heavy rain
Class of 2025 Graduation
Days Until Graduation
Happy Graduation!
Support Us!
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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
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. 

Sonja Woerner
Sonja Woerner
Editor-in-Chief

Hi! My name's Sonja and I'm a senior here at Kennedy. This is my fourth year in Torch and my second as Editor-in-Chief! Outside of Torch, I'm on the swim team, participate in theater and show choir tech and program lights for productions at Kennedy. I also enjoy reading, writing and hanging out with friends in my spare time!

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!

Arts and Culture
Color guard and band members get into position for the show to begin.
From Guard to Graduation
Maggie Goldberg, Writer • June 3, 2025

Color guard is a sport at Kennedy that is often overlooked by students and media. It involves dance, storytelling, intense practice and skill,...

Behind the Scenes: The Stage Crew Behind Happiness Inc.
May 27, 2025
Small Buisness Highlight: Nail Artist beautyxxmarina Leaves Clients Satisfied
Small Buisness Highlight: Nail Artist beautyxxmarina Leaves Clients Satisfied
May 16, 2025
Jazz Band playing at Kennedy's Performance of The Nutcracker
Kennedy Jazz Band Qualifies for Championships for the First Time in School History
May 15, 2025
Hadestown Poster designed by student Onnika Hallam
Kennedy High School Theatre Performs Hadestown May 8-10
May 7, 2025
Photos
Donate to Kennedy Torch
$750
$750
Contributed
Our Goal