The Student News Source Of Kennedy High School

Kennedy Torch
Hadestown Poster designed by student Onnika Hallam
Kennedy High School Theatre Performs Hadestown May 8-10
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
Teachers struggle to conduct day-to-day operation in the wake of a printing budget deficit.
Kennedy Teachers Face a Printing Crisis, Limited to 25 Pages Per Day
Kennedy' spring musical "Hadestown" audition camp and auditions will be held March 31 through April 2
Kennedy Theatre Department Prepares for Atypical Spring Musical Auditions
Classroom environment set to change for incoming freshmen in new Seminar Elective in the 2025-2026 school year.
Freshmen Seminar Confirmed as Elective for 2025-2026 School Year
Junior Caitilyn Ruggeri prepares for the serve.
Caitilyn Ruggeri Scores During Her Junior Year
The Kennedy Dance Team exits the floor after performing their Poms routine.
Dance Team Tryouts Yield Three New Members
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
Intercepting the ball, sophomore Gracie Feltes breaks free from the Xavier opponent.
Photos: Varsity Girls Soccer Jamboree
Senior Trey McKowen receives the Boys Basketball State Qualifier banner from Kennedy athletic director Shawn Thomsen.
Kennedy Varsity Boys Basketball: A Season of Growth
"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
As the political climate shifts, so does that of education.
Editorial Cartoon: A Shifting Stance on Education
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
Kennedy High School participates in an annual student exchange with a school in Japan.
Bridging Cultures: Japanese Exchange Students Experience Student Life at Kennedy
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
Senior Eliana Hansen has completed in pageants since 2021.
Elíana Hansen: Finding Confidence in Pageantry
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
Illustration: Hadestown Construction Has Begun!
Illustration: Hadestown Construction Has Begun!
Torch Out Loud, the Kennedy Torch podcast, presents a new episode.
Torch Out Loud: Moonlight Express on Jazz Choir at Kennedy
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
Elevating above the Xavier opponent, McKowen looks to hit a three from deep.
Photos: Kennedy Varsity Boys Basketball Defeats Xavier on January 31
The Student News Source Of Kennedy High School

Kennedy Torch
The Student News Source Of Kennedy High School

Kennedy Torch
Maggie Goldberg

Maggie Goldberg, Drafting Editor

Hi! I’m Maggie, a senior in my third year of writing for Torch. I’m in Happiness Inc. and play for Kennedy’s varsity volleyball and tennis teams and I’m also involved with various leadership groups! I absolutely love learning foreign languages, spending time with friends and expressing my individuality!
All content by Maggie Goldberg
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

Maggie Goldberg, Writer
April 22, 2025
Speech members celebrate after receiving their scores.

Large-Group Speech Season Wraps Up in Ames

Maggie Goldberg, Writer
February 26, 2025
Senior Liz Renshaw pins opponent.

Girls State Wrestling Tournament Day One Wraps Up on 2/6

Maggie Goldberg and Taryn Oberthien
February 7, 2025
Senior Remi Wilcox was disqualified from Iowa All-State by a nonexistent rule regarding harp size.

Kennedy Harpist Disqualified From All-State by Nonexistent Rule Raises Questions

Maggie Goldberg, Samuella Kasha, and Lucy McCord
December 17, 2024
Now-graduated Happiness members sing the 2023-2024 ballad.

Brett Carroll Camp Comes to Happiness, Inc.

Maggie Goldberg, Writer
October 25, 2024
Kennedy Volleyball team huddles around bench during time out.

Kennedy Volleyball Welcomes New Coaching Staff

Maggie Goldberg and Lucy McCord
October 9, 2024
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

Maggie Goldberg, Writer
September 2, 2024
The Kennedy Girls Varsity Volleyball team regrouping during their match.

Bump, Set, Spike

Maggie Goldberg, Writer
August 26, 2024
Representatives discuss college options at the annual Kennedy Open House.

College Visits: Preparing for the Future

Jersey Bilyeu and Maggie Goldberg
August 14, 2024
Insecurities affect us all.

Maggie’s Musings—Emma Wagner’s “Don’t Let Them See”

Maggie Goldberg and Emma Wagner
May 15, 2024
A visual representation of one's stream of consciousness, ideas scattered and seemingly unrelated.

Maggie’s Musings—It’s Something

Maggie Goldberg, Writer
April 17, 2024
Kennedy Jazz 1 performs at their first competition of the season, Morning Side Jazz Festival in Sioux City.

Kennedy Jazz 1 Makes History

Maggie Goldberg, Writer
March 8, 2024
Senior Joe Bean drives to the hoop through Iowa City West defenders.

Cougar Boys Basketball Aims for a Ticket to the Well

Maggie Goldberg and Miya Parker
February 27, 2024

Quiz: Which Cough Drop Flavor Are You?

Maggie Goldberg, Creator
February 16, 2024
Happy Valentines Day From The Torch!

Quiz: Which Valentines Day Present Are You?

Maggie Goldberg, Creator
February 14, 2024
The Army Reserve promises basic and job training back to back after finishing senior year.

Planning for the Future: Kennedy Senior Bibesh Magar Enlists into the Army Reserve

Maggie Goldberg, Writer
January 31, 2024
The original post made on the CRCSD Facebook page suggests making a donation to the school district's foundation instead of getting gifts for teachers.

CRCSD Facebook Post Stirs Up Controversy Surrounding Teachers Gifts During the Holidays

Maggie Goldberg, Writer
December 20, 2023
Following through with his club, Paulson's swing launches the ball along with some grass.

Photos: Freshman Boys Golf Competes at Twin Pines on 9/7

Maggie Goldberg, Photographer
September 18, 2023
On hole four at Twin Pines Golf Course, freshman Brady Paulson lines up his putt.

At the height of his swing, Paulson makes his first turn on hole five at Twin Pines.

Walking towards the north corner of Twin Pines Golf Course, freshman Payson Kramer follows his competition.

Freshman Kael Haugen marches to his bag to exchange clubs before putting on hole four.

Kennedy freshman Luke Murray practices his swing at hole five.

Freshman Owen Cordes watches his drive off the second tee.

Isaac Renshaw finishes his drive on hole five.

Tyler Trudo finishes his meet on hole nine of Twin Pines Golf Course, shaking the hands of his opponents from Xavier and Jefferson.

Junior Athlete of the Week Maren Diederich serves one of her aces.

Kennedy Volleyball Player Maren Diederich Nominated for Des Moines Register Female Athlete of the Week

Maggie Goldberg, Writer
August 20, 2023
Most common means of travel for Kennedy students.

Cougars Over the Summer

Maggie Goldberg, Writer
June 2, 2023
Freshman Adam Gray runs five kilometers for cross country, a race in which he holds the freshman record.

A Kennedy First: Class of 2026 Adam Gray Breaks Two Freshman Records His First Year

Maggie Goldberg, Writer
May 9, 2023
The decrease in Marvel's quality of production in recent years is shown through their reviews, CGI and storylines.

The Collapse of the MCU and the End of an Era

Maggie Goldberg, Writer
April 21, 2023
Kennedy schedule for Tuesday, March 7, when students are honored at and academic assembly.

Altered Schedules as Kennedy Recognizes Students and Competes at State

Maggie Goldberg, Writer
March 3, 2023
State Qualifier Jordan Twiddy pinning a Muscatine wrestler on Jan. 14.

Kennedy Boys’ Wrestling Approaches State With Three Competitors

Maggie Goldberg, Writer
February 15, 2023
Ceiling in the social studies hallway after caving in from the water pouring out of a burst pipe.

Kennedy Facilities In Disrepair After Winter Break

Maggie Goldberg, Writer
February 2, 2023
Load More Stories
Donate to Kennedy Torch
$750
$750
Contributed
Our Goal