The Student News Source Of Kennedy High School

Kennedy Torch
Student fear for their safety as the potential for threats increases.
Prioritizing Protection: Kennedy High School Implements New Safety Precautions
Violin members of the Kennedy Symphony Orchestra lead as an example for the Harding violins.
Kennedy Musicians in Band, Orchestra and Choir Accepted into All State Music Festival
Kennedy's art classrooms are full to bursting with students developing their creativity skills.
Kennedy Students Featured in Coe College’s First High School Art Show
Hiawatha Library roaches out to local teens through activity nights.
Hiawatha Library Offers Teen Involvement Program
Kennedy Symphony Orchestra performs Swan Lake at annual winter concert.
Kennedy Orchestra to Host Fall Concert at End of October
Tackling a Davenport North player, Henry Wilkes nears the 50 yard line.
Henry Wilkes: Students, Athlete, Musician
Junior Adam Gray enters the homestretch sprinting.
Two Kennedy Cross Country Runners Qualify for State
The varsity team huddles during a time out.
Photos: Varsity Volleyball Defeats Washington Warriors
Sophomores Addy Phillips and Charley Lovell block the Linn-Mar hitter at the net while Amling covers the off-block.
Kennedy Varsity Volleyball Sweeps Davenport Central in Round One
Freshman Tanner Stockert pulls ahead in his race to the finish line.
Photos: Cross Country Runs at Seminole Valley on September 26
Women and men must stand united against the issue of rape on college campuses.
The Risk of Rape: Sexual Violence Concerns Sway College Decisions
Voter registration forms were brought for students.
Disengaged and Disinterested: Student Voting Registration at Kennedy High School
Seniors Maggie Goldberg and Ella Moser pose after being crowned "Homecoming Royalty."
Homecoming Royalty Controversy Sparks Social Media Debate
Colleen Hoover's bestseller "It Ends With Us" stirs up controversy as film adaption causes sparks between cast members.
From Book Pages to the Big Screen: “It Ends With Us” Raises Concerns After Hitting Theaters
Iowa's New attendance policy took effect on July 1.
Iowa’s New Attendance Policy Takes Effect on Cedar Rapids Schools
Instructor Brain Jeffords adds weight to a bridge.
Photos: Kennedy’s Project Lead the Way Experiments with Engineering and Construction
Senior Willa Bowman joins second and third graders in a cheer.
Junior Cougars Get First Glimpse of School Spirit at Kennedy’s Annual Cheer and Dance Clinic
Holding off a defender, Junior Hawkeye football commit, and left tackle Nicolai Brooks helps open a gap for running back senior Trevor Scott.
Brothers: Together as One
The Kennedy Girls Varsity Volleyball team regrouping during their match.
Bump, Set, Spike
Teachers Patrick Cory and Katie Peterson dress up as Mr. and Mrs. Claus the day before winter break. They dope to spread joy among the students.
Walking in a KHS Wonderland
Tackling a Davenport North player, Henry Wilkes nears the 50 yard line.
Henry Wilkes: Students, Athlete, Musician
Kennedy Alumni Cael Joens Back to Teach Social Studies and Direct Theater
Kennedy Alumni Cael Joens Back to Teach Social Studies and Direct Theater
Senior Safal Bhattarai participates in the 'Best Outfit' challenge at a pep rally.
We Did It, Safal.
Senior Jersey Bilyeu plays vibraphone with Kennedy Jazz 1.
Jersey Bilyeu: Making Her Rounds Across Kennedy Fine Arts
Ella Brown pins opponent down.
Ella Brown Returns to State
Halloween costume ideas can be found across any social media this October.
Best 2024 Halloween Trends: Couples, Singles and Friend Groups
Violin members of the Kennedy Symphony Orchestra lead as an example for the Harding violins.
Kennedy Musicians in Band, Orchestra and Choir Accepted into All State Music Festival
Kennedy's art classrooms are full to bursting with students developing their creativity skills.
Kennedy Students Featured in Coe College’s First High School Art Show
Seniors Conner Below, Max Leno and Blake Kroemer join their buddy Joe Lutz.
Photos: Best Buddies Holds Matching Party on October 16
Now-graduated Happiness members sing the 2023-2024 ballad.
Brett Carroll Camp Comes to Happiness, Inc.
The varsity team huddles during a time out.
Photos: Varsity Volleyball Defeats Washington Warriors
Seniors Conner Below, Max Leno and Blake Kroemer join their buddy Joe Lutz.
Photos: Best Buddies Holds Matching Party on October 16
Sophomores Callum Fortune and Sam Myers assists John Bednar.
Student Government Hosts Circle of Friends on 10/15
Freshman Tanner Stockert pulls ahead in his race to the finish line.
Photos: Cross Country Runs at Seminole Valley on September 26
In unison with her teammates, sophomore May Turner spins her flag.
Kennedy Marching Band Takes on Starfest in Sioux City
The Student News Source Of Kennedy High School

Kennedy Torch
The Student News Source Of Kennedy High School

Kennedy Torch
Joel Dillman

Joel Dillman, Editor-in-Chief

Hello! I’m Joel Dillman. I’m in senior year, and this is my third year on the Torch team. I’m glad school finally returned to a semi-normal state with everyone in class together. The future looks bright!

All content by Joel Dillman
Don Dixson stands surrounded by his art. From left to right: Dancin' Iris, No Rhythm and Glory to Ukraine.

Don Dixson: Sewing Seeds

Joel Dillman, Writer
May 25, 2022
AP classes are just a small part of a high school student's concerns.

How Do AP Classes Actually Affect Your Future?

Joel Dillman, Writer
May 19, 2022
Senior Wilsee Kollie speaks during the walkout.

Kennedy Holds Walkout Over Roe v. Wade Opinion Leak

Joel Dillman, Writer
May 18, 2022
Masks below noses were a common sight at Kennedy before the mask mandate was removed.

Right Under Our Noses

Joel Dillman and Anabel Bradley
March 11, 2022
Quick access to warm coffee could be a thing of the past for Kennedy teachers.

A Charged Removal of Teachers’ Appliances

Joel Dillman, Writer
March 4, 2022
COVID-19 is threatening Kennedy pep assemblies for the 2021-2022 school year

Fall Pep Assembly Canceled After COVID-19 Surge

Joel Dillman, Writer
August 31, 2021
The University of Iowa is included in Iowa City's mask mandate.

Iowa City Mask Mandate Begins August 19

Joel Dillman, Writer
August 19, 2021
Minecraft streamers brought together players of different races, languages and sexual orientations.

[Photo] The Sides to MCYT

Natalie Ruggeri, Writer
July 9, 2021
Playing video games helped connect people through the COVID-19 pandemic.

[Photo] Gaming Apart: Together

Noah Hargrafen, Writer
June 25, 2021
The bell schedule is planned to be the same in the 2021-2022 school year.

More Schedule Changes Coming Next Year

Joel Dillman, Writer
May 25, 2021
Students take the MAP tests on their school-provided Chromebooks.

May MAP Tests Canceled for Kennedy High School

Joel Dillman, Writer
May 14, 2021
Vaccines appointments can be scheduled through local hospitals and pharmacies.

COVID-19 Vaccine Available Free for All Linn County Residents At Least 16 Years Old

Joel Dillman, Writer
April 20, 2021
The ISASP will be taken on school-issued Chromebooks for the first time from April 19 to April 22.

Kennedy Students To Take ISASP in April

Joel Dillman and Natalie Ruggeri
April 5, 2021
Photo of the COVID-19 Coronavirus provided by the National Park Service.

One Year of COVID-19

Anabel Bradley, Joel Dillman, and Jami Martin-Trainor
March 22, 2021
Students complete MAP tests on their Chromebooks as teachers monitor them with GoGuardian.

MAP Testing: Monotonous, Aggravating and Pointless

Joel Dillman, Writer
March 9, 2021
An empty classroom after seniors have left campus for lunch.

Confirmed Case of COVID-19 in Kennedy High School

Joel Dillman, Writer
January 27, 2021
Reworking Routines for Remote Learning

Reworking Routines for Remote Learning

Joel Dillman, Writer
December 22, 2020
All CRCSD students will be moving to remote learning on Nov. 12 due to the continued threat of COVID-19

CRCSD Returning to Remote Learning

Joel Dillman, Writer
November 11, 2020
Jefferson High School and several other buildings within the CRCSD sustained heavy damage causing students to move their learning online for this 2020 school year

Jefferson and Washington High School Reopening November 16

Joel Dillman, Writer
November 9, 2020
Photos of victims of police brutality were placed on the stairs during the vigil. Attendees of the vigil laid flowers, candles and other memorabilia by the photos.

Candlelight Vigil Held in Memory of Breonna Taylor

Joel Dillman, Writer
October 15, 2020
Iowa Gov. Kim Reynolds recently announced an extension to the school closures due to COVID-19.

COVID-19 Keeps CRCSD Closed Through April

Joel Dillman, Writer
April 2, 2020
Photo of the COVID-19 Coronavirus provided by the National Park Service.

COVID-19 Closes CRCSD

Joel Dillman, Writer
March 16, 2020
Noah Hargrafen, Hannah Retz, Morgan Mahoney and Jasmine Hite sit about the recording table.

Torch Talks – Closing Out the Show Choir Season

Joel Dillman and Samuel Miranda
March 5, 2020
@CRSCHOOLS on Twitter post the photo above each time there is a delay or no-school day.

What Causes a Cancellation?

Joel Dillman, Producer
February 19, 2020
"PoliceLightsGPEIBLS_2740x_CPEI" by Government of Prince Edward Island is licensed under CC BY-NC-ND 2.0

Robbery at Gunpoint in the Kennedy Parking Lot

Joel Dillman, Writer
January 27, 2020
The Kennedy High School sign located in front of the building.

New Year’s Day Shooting Near Kennedy

Joel Dillman, Writer
January 3, 2020

Quick Quotes – Winter Break Plans

Joel Dillman, Samuel Miranda, and Joey Young
December 20, 2019

Torch Talks – The Folks From Frozen

Joel Dillman, Samuel Miranda, and Joey Young
December 6, 2019

Quick Quotes – Favorite Thanksgiving Foods

Joel Dillman, Samuel Miranda, and Joey Young
November 26, 2019

Torch Talks – Kayde Bowers, Striding to Success

Joel Dillman, Samuel Miranda, and Joey Young
November 25, 2019

Torch Talks – The Novembisode

Joel Dillman, Samuel Miranda, and Joey Young
November 12, 2019
Kennedy Football player taking the field at Kingston Stadium.

Football Below Freezing

Joel Dillman, Writer
November 8, 2019

Cougar Corner – End-of-Season Energy

Joel Dillman, Samuel Miranda, and Joey Young
November 6, 2019
Friday Football Game VS Dodgers

Friday Football Game VS Dodgers

Joel Dillman and Kaylia Richards
November 1, 2019

Torch Talks – The Actors Behind Arsenic

Joel Dillman, Samuel Miranda, and Joey Young
October 25, 2019

Torch Talks – Dress Stress

Joel Dillman, Samuel Miranda, and Joey Young
October 25, 2019
Poster for Crimes of the Heart

Crimes of the Heart Coming Soon to Kennedy Theatre

Joel Dillman, Writer
September 23, 2019
The Kennedy Varsity Football team running towards the student section after winning their latest game against the Linn Mar Lions.

Football Under the Full Moon

Joel Dillman, Writer
September 13, 2019
Students working in study hall.

SMART Time Gone Forever

Joel Dillman, Writer
September 12, 2019
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