The Student News Source Of Kennedy High School

Kennedy Torch
Senior Colton Duerling sets up to the plate to bat, looking to gain another state champion title.
One Last Pitch
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.
Senior Colton Duerling sets up to the plate to bat, looking to gain another state champion title.
One Last Pitch
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
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
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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