Kennedy Alum Returns

Maggie Talbott-Malone, Writer
October 21, 2019
Not every graduate wishes to come back to their highschool and work with former teachers and new students. For Caleb Marner, this isn’t the case. Marner studied theatre in Chicago for a year after graduating in 2016, and participated in children’s shows. He is now back and directed the second fall pla...
This Play is to Die For

Maggie Talbott-Malone, Writer
October 14, 2019
A dark satirical comedy called Arsenic and Old Lace will be coming to the Kennedy black box. The show directed by Caleb Marner will open on October 17 and play through the 19th with shows at 7pm. Tickets are $6 at the door. Arsenic and Old Lace follows Moritmer Brewster who discovers his elderly aunts have...
Was Kennedy Hoco a No-Go?

Jami Martin-Trainor, Editor-in-Chief
October 10, 2019
Every year, students look forward to walking into the darkened school, preparing to dance the night away at homecoming. This year though, students filed in, illuminated by gym lights, waiting for darkness that would never come. Typically, Kennedy homecoming takes place in the west gym with the lights turned ...
BSU: A Call For Understanding

Olivia Riley-Schmelzer, Writer
October 9, 2019
In an effort to incorporate more cultural understanding within Kennedy high school, students have introduced a new organization focused on creating a diverse yet unified community known as The Black Student Union, or BSU for short. “Our goal is to bring understanding for diversity to kennedy a...
Homecoming On a Budget

Lindsey Matus, Writer
October 4, 2019
Everyone loves tradition, that’s what homecoming is all about. However traditions are expensive and not everyone is able to afford them. When preparing for homecoming, students tend to make multiple purchases. “I mean the basics are really just clothes, dress shirt, bowtie, suspenders, or...
Crimes of the Heart Coming Soon to Kennedy Theatre

Joel Dillman, Writer
September 23, 2019
A dark comedy play called Crimes of the Heart hits the Kennedy Theatre next week. Crimes of the Heart, directed by Nick Hayes, will have a preview during school on Wednesday, September 25th. The performances are at 7 p.m. from the 26 through the 28. The story is about three sisters who have to...
Standing Up Against Social Injustices

Abby Bonat, Writer
June 11, 2019
To the naked eye, Jackie Garcia may seem like an average eighteen-year-old high school student, but behind her tightly curled hair and relaxed demeanor is a girl who has encountered more challenges and overcome more obstacles than most adults. Garcia is a student at Kennedy High School who moved to Iowa fro...
A Journey of Understanding

Jack McGrane, Writer
June 10, 2019
Imam Hassan Selim from Cairo, Egypt, is an integral leader of the Muslim community in Cedar Rapids, Iowa. He leads prayers at the Islamic Center of Cedar Rapids and is the vice president of the Inter-religious Council of Linn County. His journey has brought him across the world where he has encountered...
Fong’s: Pizza Paradise

Jami Martin-Trainor, Writer
May 30, 2019
Located in downtown Cedar Rapids is a small pizza parlor that makes traditional pizza a little more interesting. Rather than normal toppings of pepperoni or sausage, Fong’s Pizza has many Asian-inspired courses, as well as other strange combinations. Most of which wouldn’t be seen at a local pizza...
Move to Express

Jami Martin-Trainor, Writer
May 13, 2019
Fifteen years is a long time to be committed to something. In 15 years, Lily Hartney has dedicated her mind, body, and soul to dance, and continues to push herself at dance practices and competitions. To Hartney, dance is almost second nature. It gives her a creative outlet unlike any other, allowing...
Urinetown?

Jami Martin-Trainor, Writer
April 26, 2019
The posters for Urinetown around school have surely turned some heads and sparked some confusion. Preparation for Urinetown has been underway for weeks, and play will be shown on April 25 and 26 at 7 p.m. and April 27 at 2 p.m. and 7 p.m. The play’s focus is on a town that faces strict government con...
Chinatown Trip

Claire Beaman, writer
April 8, 2019
The Chinese class of Kennedy High School had the opportunity to go to the Chicago Chinatown as an educational field trip. This field trip allowed students to practice what they have learned about Chinese culture and language in the real world. “The most important reason (for the trip) is to experience...