What’s Going on with Homecoming?
Claire Beaman, Writer
October 28, 2020
This year the dance will not be held in October. Is there still a possibility of a homecoming dance this school year? Jason Kline, principal of Kennedy High School, said that it would not be possible for Kennedy to hold a dance at this time. “Linn County is currently in phase 2, which recomme...
Restoring Kennedy After Derecho Storm Damage
Elise Hrabik, Photo Editor
October 23, 2020
Kennedy High School was hit the hardest of the Cedar Rapids Schools during the derecho this summer. On August 10, 140 mph winds were hurled across parts of Iowa and the surrounding states resulting in widespread damage. Due to the significant damage, Kennedy was unable to open its doors this fall. ...
Candlelight Vigil Held in Memory of Breonna Taylor
Joel Dillman, Writer
October 15, 2020
A candlelight vigil was held Sep. 21 in Newbo City Market to honor Breonna Taylor, an African American woman who was fatally shot by a police officer in Louisville, Kentucky. The vigil was organized by Advocates for Social Justice, a local group focused on supporting people of color. At the event, phot...
Academic Decathlon in a New Way
Anabel Bradley, Writer
October 13, 2020
Kennedy High School’s Academic Decathlon team will continue this year but with new obstacles. The decathlon team is in the process of recruiting members. This process has been made more difficult by the online format of school. It is a challenge to talk to those who may be interested in joining. ...
COVID-19 Keeps CRCSD Closed Through April
Joel Dillman, Writer
April 2, 2020
On Thursday, April 2, the Cedar Rapids Community School district announced the extended closure of all school facilities within the district through April 30. CRCSD schools were previously closed until April 13, but that date was extended following Iowa Gov. Kim Reynolds’ press conference, in whic...
Virtual Pep Assembly
Jami Martin-Trainor, Editor-in-Chief
March 23, 2020
COVID-19 has turned the 2019-2020 school year on its head. With WPA canceled and prom looking unlikely, many students feel as if their school year was stolen. After school had been canceled for four weeks, The Cougars brainstormed a way to show spirit while still practicing social distancing. This ye...
CRCSD Offers Aid in this Time of Need
Jami Martin-Trainor, Editor-in-Chief
March 20, 2020
The Cedar Rapids Community school district made the decision to shut down schools for four weeks to combat the Coronavirus that continues to spread globally. Seniors are wondering what will become of their final year of high school, asking if there is still going to be prom and if spring sports are b...
The Final Show of the Year
Jasmine Hite, Writer
March 17, 2020
The Going Out Concert was an emotional event for the Kennedy High School community, as the seniors of Happiness put on their final performance of their high school careers. Tears were seen throughout the audience as the group danced and sang their hearts out. While performing their ballad, Josh ...
COVID-19 Closes CRCSD
Joel Dillman, Writer
March 16, 2020
On Sunday, March 15, the Cedar Rapids Community School District announced it would close its schools for four weeks due to COVID-19, or coronavirus. The district is following the recommendation from Iowa’s Gov. Kim Reynolds to close all schools in the state for four weeks. This is an attempt to stop...
Inclusivity at Kennedy High School
Jasmine Hite, Writer
March 9, 2020
With over 1800 students at Kennedy Highschool, it can be hard to feel included or respected. Kinder Kennedy and Best Buddies put together Kennedy’s Inclusion Week to bring students together, attempting to counteract this problem. Mary Gibney is an inspiration for all. She helped put together t...
Calling All Artists: The Plain Brown Wrapper
Adam Sullivan, Writer
March 3, 2020
The Plain Brown Wrapper, or the PBW, is an editorial board of students receiving different types of arts, including poetry, non-fiction, and artwork. Members compile it all together into one magazine for Kennedy. This year, the PBW has a new advisor, Elizebeth Nelson. “Being the advisor for t...
The Cedar Rapids Downtown Public Library Job Fair
Jackson Berry, Writer
February 28, 2020
The Cedar Rapids Downtown Public Library is hosting a Job Fair on February 29th at 10:00 A.M., with the purpose of helping teens and high schoolers find jobs. Finding jobs as a teenager can be a tough thing to do. But, it may get a little bit easier with the Job Fair. Teenagers, job seekers and ...
