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
Sonja Woerner

Sonja Woerner, Editor-in-Chief

Hi! My name’s Sonja Woerner 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 and participate in theater and show choir tech and program lights for productions at Kennedy. I also enjoy reading and writing.

All content by Sonja Woerner
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
Matthew Stoltenburg and Nolan Grawe prepare to sign.

Senior Spotlight: Athletes of the Class of 2024 Go D1

Sonja Woerner, Editor-in-Chief
June 27, 2024
Protesters show support for Iowa's transgender youth in light of recent governmental changes.

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
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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