The Student News Source Of Kennedy High School

Kennedy Torch
Grinch the Musical poster.
Senior Izzy Westercamp Takes the Lead in Kennedy High School’s Production of How the Grinch Stole Christmas
Students challenge their creation to see how far they can launch the ping pong ball.
Losing Our Minds to Machines: The Hidden Cost of AI in Classrooms
Protégé performs at the Prairie Premiere on Feb. 1.
Improvement or Deterioration: Protégé’s New Dynamic
Holding their leg extensions, Megan Trudo(So.) and Elle Rammelsberg(Jr.) pose during their featured part in Kennedy's Jazz routine.
Kennedy Dance Team Qualifies Two Dancers, Marking Their Strongest Season in Years
The future of CRCSD remains uncertain as several questions are raised regarding district leaders.
Iowa Senator and Kennedy Staff Member Molly Donahue Calls for Three School Board Members Removal
Photos: Kennedy Dance Team at Lion Lineage
Powerful and precise: Kennedy sophomore team hurdles up to celebrate their point over Linnmar.
Sophmore Volleyball Tournament Oct. 18
Holding their leg extensions, Megan Trudo(So.) and Elle Rammelsberg(Jr.) pose during their featured part in Kennedy's Jazz routine.
Kennedy Dance Team Qualifies Two Dancers, Marking Their Strongest Season in Years
Kennedy High School's Volleyball team celebrates their win against Waterloo West, allowing them to continue in the sub state tournament.
Kennedy High School Volleyball Wins a Five Set Thriller at Waterloo West
Senior Captain Deacon Kucera runs off the field, celebrating.
Deacon “Dude” Kucera: Kennedy Football Captain Leads Cougars into 2025 Season
Taylor Swift releases a new album that creates controversy.
The Life of A Showgirl; Girlboss At A Loss?
Tik Tok trends have found their way to Kennedy, resulting in different mischievous activity surrounding the school.
319 Public Indecency: Tik Tok Trends Make Their Way to Kennedy High School
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
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
Grinch the Musical poster.
Senior Izzy Westercamp Takes the Lead in Kennedy High School’s Production of How the Grinch Stole Christmas
Protégé performs at the Prairie Premiere on Feb. 1.
Improvement or Deterioration: Protégé’s New Dynamic
Holding their leg extensions, Megan Trudo(So.) and Elle Rammelsberg(Jr.) pose during their featured part in Kennedy's Jazz routine.
Kennedy Dance Team Qualifies Two Dancers, Marking Their Strongest Season in Years
Dancing in the rain, Junior May Turner smiles for the audience.
Marching in the Rain; Seniors’ Last Performance with Kennedy Marching Band Leaves Them Soaked
Bringing Shakespeare Back to the Stage
Bringing Shakespeare Back to the Stage
Photos: Kennedy Dance Team at Lion Lineage
Powerful and precise: Kennedy sophomore team hurdles up to celebrate their point over Linnmar.
Sophmore Volleyball Tournament Oct. 18
Photos: JV Volleyball at LinnMarr
Showing off her Powderpuff shirt, senior Emerson Blocker gets ready for the game.
Photos: Homecoming Media Day on October 7
Finding a better angle on the first kickoff of the game, senior Keegan Mastin evades West defenders.
Photos: Kennedy Football Falls to Waterloo West 28-21 on October 10
The Student News Source Of Kennedy High School

Kennedy Torch
The Student News Source Of Kennedy High School

Kennedy Torch
Recent Stories
News
Grinch the Musical poster.
Senior Izzy Westercamp Takes the Lead in Kennedy High School’s Production of How the Grinch Stole Christmas
Lucy Baranowski, Writer • November 14, 2025

Senior Izzy Westercamp was cast as the Grinch in Kennedy’s most recent musical, How the Grinch Stole Christmas.  Westercamp has been in a total of 11 Kennedy productions,...

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Students challenge their creation to see how far they can launch the ping pong ball.
Losing Our Minds to Machines: The Hidden Cost of AI in Classrooms
Han Nguyen, Writer • November 14, 2025

Kennedy High School staff are looking for ways to make students rely less on artificial intelligence (AI) for help, claiming that it is making them forget how to think.  As...

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Protégé performs at the Prairie Premiere on Feb. 1.
Improvement or Deterioration: Protégé’s New Dynamic
Tenley Hamer, Writer • November 13, 2025

This 2025-2026 show choir season, Kennedy High School’s junior varsity show choir, Protégé, will premiere their first all girls group due to the lack of male voices at...

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View All
Trending Stories
1
The future of CRCSD remains uncertain as several questions are raised regarding district leaders.

Iowa Senator and Kennedy Staff Member Molly Donahue Calls for Three School Board Members Removal

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

Former GIPS Employee Speaks Out About Superintendent Grover's Leadership

3
Quiz: Which US President Are You?

Quiz: Which US President Are You?

4
Kennedy High School's Volleyball team celebrates their win against Waterloo West, allowing them to continue in the sub state tournament.

Kennedy High School Volleyball Wins a Five Set Thriller at Waterloo West

5
Dancing in the rain, Junior May Turner smiles for the audience.

Marching in the Rain; Seniors' Last Performance with Kennedy Marching Band Leaves Them Soaked

6
Senior Captain Deacon Kucera runs off the field, celebrating.

Deacon "Dude" Kucera: Kennedy Football Captain Leads Cougars into 2025 Season

7
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?

8
Thematic map displaying book ban attempts nationally in 2022. Source: American Library Association Office for Intellectual Freedom

Silencing Stories: Iowa Book Bans and the Censorship Struggle

9
Taylor Swift releases a new album that creates controversy.

The Life of A Showgirl; Girlboss At A Loss?

10
Protégé performs at the Prairie Premiere on Feb. 1.

Improvement or Deterioration: Protégé’s New Dynamic

Sports
Photos: Kennedy Dance Team at Lion Lineage
Lindsi Martin-Trainor, Photographer • November 13, 2025

Powerful and precise: Kennedy sophomore team hurdles up to celebrate their point over Linnmar.
Sophmore Volleyball Tournament Oct. 18
November 13, 2025
Holding their leg extensions, Megan Trudo(So.) and Elle Rammelsberg(Jr.) pose during their featured part in Kennedy's Jazz routine.
Kennedy Dance Team Qualifies Two Dancers, Marking Their Strongest Season in Years
November 12, 2025
Kennedy High School's Volleyball team celebrates their win against Waterloo West, allowing them to continue in the sub state tournament.
Kennedy High School Volleyball Wins a Five Set Thriller at Waterloo West
October 24, 2025
Opinion
Taylor Swift releases a new album that creates controversy.
The Life of A Showgirl; Girlboss At A Loss?
Dilynn Brekke, Writer • November 11, 2025

Taylor Swift released her 12th studio album The Life of A Showgirl on Oct. 3. She started as a 12 year old with a guitar and a passion for country music, and became a billionaire...

Tik Tok trends have found their way to Kennedy, resulting in different mischievous activity surrounding the school.
319 Public Indecency: Tik Tok Trends Make Their Way to Kennedy High School
October 7, 2025
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
June 13, 2025
"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
Wenig Weather Report


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November 15
69°/ 46°
Sunny
November 16
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November 17
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Moderate rain
Class of 2025 Graduation
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Meet The Staff
Megan Trudo
Megan Trudo
Social Media Manager, Writer
Lucy McCord
Lucy McCord
Editor-in-Chief
Samuel Sanders-Licher
Samuel Sanders-Licher
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Arts and Culture
Grinch the Musical poster.
Senior Izzy Westercamp Takes the Lead in Kennedy High School’s Production of How the Grinch Stole Christmas
Lucy Baranowski, Writer • November 14, 2025

Senior Izzy Westercamp was cast as the Grinch in Kennedy’s most recent musical, How the Grinch Stole Christmas.  Westercamp has been in...

Protégé performs at the Prairie Premiere on Feb. 1.
Improvement or Deterioration: Protégé’s New Dynamic
November 13, 2025
Dancing in the rain, Junior May Turner smiles for the audience.
Marching in the Rain; Seniors’ Last Performance with Kennedy Marching Band Leaves Them Soaked
October 30, 2025
Bringing Shakespeare Back to the Stage
Bringing Shakespeare Back to the Stage
September 25, 2025
Leading the band after their halftime performance, the drumline concludes their show.
Kennedy Marching Band Kicks Off ‘Echoes of the Last’
September 8, 2025
Photos
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