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
Sonja Woerner

Sonja Woerner, Editor-in-Chief

Hi! My name’s Sonja and I’m a senior here at Kennedy. This is my fourth year in Torch and my second as Editor-in-Chief! Outside of Torch, I’m on the swim team, participate in theater and show choir tech and program lights for productions at Kennedy. I also enjoy reading, writing and hanging out with friends in my spare time!

All content by Sonja Woerner
The future of CRCSD remains uncertain as several questions are raised regarding curriculum changes.

Innovative or Ill-Conceived: College and Career Pathways Come to CRCSD

Sonja Woerner, Editor-in-Chief
March 15, 2025
After the first parent advisory meeting, CRCSD proposes pushing back Freshman Academies and acknowledges community concerns.

Delay of Freshman Academy Program Acknowledges Community Voices

Sonja Woerner, Editor-in-Chief
January 20, 2025
Parents and district administrators disagree over the direction for CRCSD students' education.

First Parent Advisory Board Meeting Raises Questions and Concerns

Sonja Woerner, Editor-in-Chief
January 17, 2025
Students in the CRCSD face uncertainty in the wake of incoming Learning Pathways.

CRCSD’s Freshman Academies and Learning Pathways: A Communication Breakdown

Sonja Woerner, Editor-in-Chief
December 3, 2024
Iowa's Hinterland Music Festival grounds packed shoulder-to-shoulder with patrons on day three.

The Hinterland Experience: Greedy Cash Grab or Underprepared Concert Goers?

Sonja Woerner, Editor-in-Chief
September 7, 2024
Kennedy students party at prom before Kennedy introduces new policy.

Is Kennedy’s New School Dance Policy Necessary or Just Inequitable?

Sonja Woerner, Editor-in-Chief
September 26, 2024
The Kennedy Marching Band performs at inner city rival game vs CR Washington.

Drum Majors, Is Your Band Ready?

Sonja Woerner, Editor-in-Chief
July 4, 2024
Championship finalist Maria Trotta swimming the 50 Yard Freestyle at Kennedy.

“Hey Cougs, What Day Is It?”

Sonja Woerner, Editor-in-Chief
July 1, 2024

Senior Spotlight: Athletes of the Class of 2024 Go D1

Sonja Woerner, Editor-in-Chief
June 27, 2024
Iowa transgender youth are concerned for their right to be called by their preferred name in schools in light of recent legislative changes.

MAGAZINE: Names and Gender Identity, Iowa’s Censorship Struggle Takes a Step Too Far

Sonja Woerner, Editor-in-Chief
May 1, 2024
Vending machine sign reads "VENDING MACHINES ARE NOT ACTIVE UNTIL 3:00 PM DAILY," a change we are unsure about the duration of.

Vending Machine Shutdown Divides The Torch Staff

Claire Frank and Sonja Woerner
April 10, 2024
In a world full of unspoken topics, there's an important topic often left undiscussed.

To Poop or Not to Poop: Should That Really Be a Question?

Jersey Bilyeu and Sonja Woerner
November 17, 2023
CRCSD has just announced closure of all campuses on Monday, Oct. 2.

All CRCSD Campuses to be CLOSED on 10/2 Following Threats

Haile Miller and Sonja Woerner
October 1, 2023
John F. Kennedy tours the high school names after him.

Issues Week: A Tradition Lost to Time

Sonja Woerner, Editor-in-Chief
August 29, 2023
Senior Erin Renshaw plays first chair base in Kennedy's annual Symphonic Rock Concert.

Erin Renshaw: A Beast on the Bass

Sonja Woerner, Editor-in-Chief
July 7, 2023
Junior Addison Swartzendruber runs the 400 Meter Dash at Kingston Stadium.

2023 State Track and Field Begins With 31 Kennedy Athletes

Sonja Woerner, Copy Editor
May 17, 2023
Junior Zion Jackson Collins prepares to run the distance medley.

Kennedy Sends 25 to the Drake Relays

Sonja Woerner, Copy Editor
April 28, 2023
Kenedy student works at a small, local business during school hours, receiving both credit and payment.

Kennedy’s Clubs: A History

Sonja Woerner, Copy Editor
March 6, 2023
Kennedy student sleeps on the ride to school after not getting enough sleep the night before.

[Photo] The High Schooler’s Sleep Dilema

Jordan Horne, Writer
February 23, 2023
"Gov. Kim Reynolds signs the Students First Act in the Capitol rotunda."

The Beginning of the End of Public Education in Iowa

Sonja Woerner, Copy Editor
January 25, 2023
Junior Maria Trotta swimming the butterfly leg of the 200 Yard Medley Relay at regionals.

Kennedy Places Ninth At Swimming and Diving State Meet

Sonja Woerner, Copy Editor
November 12, 2022
Junior Ellie Hance swims the 100 Yard Backstroke at regionals, qualifying for state.

Swimming and Diving Scores in the Preliminaries

Sonja Woerner, Copy Editor
November 12, 2022
Noreen Bush poses for a photo after discussing her chemo treatments.

Noreen Bush: A Life To Be Remembered

Anabel Bradley and Sonja Woerner
October 23, 2022
Jake Hemann helps a student during one of his classes.

Project Lead the Way: Introducing Students to STEM

Sonja Woerner, Writer
July 20, 2022
Beall working with a student in his geometry class.

Beall Graduates With the Class of 2022

Sonja Woerner, Writer
May 20, 2022
Kennedy Track Heads to State

Kennedy Track Heads to State

Sonja Woerner and Emma Beachner
May 18, 2022
Senior Grace Braden competes in a hurdles event during the 2022 track season.

Kennedy Athletes Head to Drake Relays

Sonja Woerner, Writer
April 28, 2022
Storms flood Kennedy parking lots, making driving dangerous.

Kennedy Horseshoe Becomes Dangerous

Sonja Woerner, Writer
April 26, 2022
Should we be allowed to pick and choose what parts of history we learn?

Iowa Legislation Undermines Teachers

Sonja Woerner, Writer
April 26, 2022
Photos: Kennedy Soccer Faces Off Against Linn-Mar

Photos: Kennedy Soccer Faces Off Against Linn-Mar

Sonja Woerner, Photographer
April 1, 2022
Trap Club Officially Starts Their Season

Trap Club Officially Starts Their Season

Sonja Woerner and Emma Beachner
March 30, 2022
Students involved in activities outside typical academics will be recognized at the Spring Activity Assembly.

Kennedy Spring Activity Assembly To Be Held March 25

Sonja Woerner, Writer
March 23, 2022
Lauren Sempf performs on stage with Happiness, Inc.

Happiness Inc. Heads to Nashville

Sonja Woerner, Writer
March 11, 2022
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[Photo] Varsity Girls Basketball Ends Their Season

Emma Beachner, Writer
March 6, 2022
Kennedy Boys Basketball during their 2022-23 season, a week before state playoffs.

School Canceled March 9 as Kennedy Boy’s Basketball Heads to State

Sonja Woerner, Writer
March 2, 2022
Photos: Girls Varsity Basketball Wins Regional Qualifier

Photos: Girls Varsity Basketball Wins Regional Qualifier

Sonja Woerner, Photographer
February 17, 2022
By limiting what students and teachers can cover in class, the misconceptions of today could become deeply entrenched in the minds of the next generation.

Living In Ignorance

Sonja Woerner, Writer
February 15, 2022
The SAT is no longer using pencil and paper.

The SAT is Moving Online

Sonja Woerner, Writer
February 9, 2022
Junior Joslyn Sheeley practicing choreography for "Matilda".

“Matilda”:‌ ‌Making‌ ‌Magic‌ ‌in‌ ‌the‌ ‌Kennedy‌ ‌Theatre‌

Sonja Woerner, Writer
January 27, 2022
A.J. Miller (FR) swims the first leg of the 200 Yard Free Relay, giving the relay a head start leading to them taking first place.

Kennedy Men’s Swimming Kicks off the Year With a Home Invite

Sonja Woerner, Writer
December 8, 2021
Freshman Lily Adams practices her relay before this weekends meet.

Lilly Adams: Swimming Her Way to the Top

Sonja Woerner, Writer
October 8, 2021
Diver Lacey Neighbor (JR) competing in the butterfly portion of an all-diver 200 Yard Medley Relay.

Kennedy Cougars Battle Iowa City West Swimmers

Sonja Woerner, Writer
September 17, 2021
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