The Student News Source Of Kennedy High School

Kennedy Torch
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
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
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
Throughout Meredith Kaump's wrestling season she has had support from her friends and family.
Meredith Kaump Places Sixth at Girls State Wrestling
Senior Ella Moser Hits 1,000 Points In Her High School Basketball Career.
Senior Ella Moser Hits 1,000 Points In Her High School Basketball Career.
"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
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
Speech members celebrate after receiving their scores.
Large-Group Speech Season Wraps Up in Ames
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
Freshman Bentley Dill runs down the court while protecting the ball.
Freshman Bentley Dill Joins Kennedy Girls Basketball
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
All- State qualifiers of Speech and Improv before performing last month.
Kennedy’s All-State Speech and Improv Team Perform in Showcase
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
Happiness, Inc. members portray the father (senior Avery Theis) and son (junior Saul Ervin) in the choir's show.
Varsity Show Choir ‘Happiness’ Season Recap
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
Freshman Wrigley Davidson looks to pass the ball to freshman August Wilkes.
Photos: Freshman Boys Basketball Defeated by Xavier on January 30
The Student News Source Of Kennedy High School

Kennedy Torch
The Student News Source Of Kennedy High School

Kennedy Torch
Recent Stories
News
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

This April, Kennedy psychology teacher Dana Melone was selected to receive the American Psychological Association TOPSS Charles T. Blair-Broeker Excellence in Teaching award....

Continue Reading
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
Torch Editorial Board, Writers • April 3, 2025

Kennedy High School has passed their paper budget, with over one million papers being printed this school year alone. Throughout the last couple of months, Kennedy teachers...

Continue Reading
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
Sage Clow and Briella Temple • March 29, 2025

The Kennedy Theatre Department will be holding an audition camp for the spring musical "Hadestown" from March 31 to April 1. Students planning to audition will learn dances...

Continue Reading
View All
Trending Stories
1
Kennedy teachers are concerned over lack of information and consultation.

Former GIPS Employee Speaks Out About Superintendent Grover's Leadership

2
As consumers we tend to skim nutrition labels...would you even notice if it read "may contain rats" ?

Rats: A New Superfood In Your Drink?

3
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

4
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

5
All- State qualifiers of Speech and Improv before performing last month.

Kennedy's All-State Speech and Improv Team Perform in Showcase

6
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

7
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

8
Quiz: Which US President Are You?

Quiz: Which US President Are You?

9
The moldy bread wall experiment, located outside of room 52.

Food Fundamentals: The Moldy Bread Experiment

10
Students are often distracted by cell phones during class time.

The Impact of Social Media Within Our Community

Sports
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
Gabe Copley, Writer • April 11, 2025

The Kennedy Varsity Boys Soccer Team kicked off their season on Thursday, April 3 with a game against Waterloo West which ended in a 1-1 tie. The team went 3-12 last season...

Intercepting the ball, sophomore Gracie Feltes breaks free from the Xavier opponent.
Photos: Varsity Girls Soccer Jamboree
April 8, 2025
Senior Trey McKowen receives the Boys Basketball State Qualifier banner from Kennedy athletic director Shawn Thomsen.
Kennedy Varsity Boys Basketball: A Season of Growth
March 14, 2025
Throughout Meredith Kaump's wrestling season she has had support from her friends and family.
Meredith Kaump Places Sixth at Girls State Wrestling
March 11, 2025
Opinion
"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?
Izzy Westercamp, Artist • April 4, 2025

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
March 28, 2025
"Mufasa" succeeds in conveying the story of Simbas father from the original "Lion King".
Mufasa Makes a Splash in the Box Office
February 27, 2025
TikTok is a time sink for a number of users, designed to be addicting.
The TikTok Time-Bomb
February 18, 2025
Wenig Weather Report


  • 5 PM
    60 °
  • 6 PM
    60 °
  • 7 PM
    58 °
  • 8 PM
    56 °
  • 9 PM
    56 °
  • 10 PM
    56 °
  • 11 PM
    55 °
  • 12 AM
    55 °
  • 1 AM
    55 °
  • 2 AM
    54 °
  • 3 AM
    53 °
  • 4 AM
    51 °
  • 5 AM
    50 °
  • 6 AM
    50 °
  • 7 AM
    52 °
  • 8 AM
    55 °
  • 9 AM
    57 °
  • 10 AM
    59 °
  • 11 AM
    62 °
  • 12 PM
    64 °
  • 1 PM
    67 °
  • 2 PM
    69 °
  • 3 PM
    71 °
  • 4 PM
    72 °
  • 5 PM
    72 °
May 5
62°/ 43°
Partly Cloudy
May 6
73°/ 48°
Partly Cloudy
May 7
75°/ 53°
Moderate rain
Class of 2025 Graduation
Days Until Graduation
Days
1
7
Hours
2
0
Minutes
5
8
Seconds
1
5
Happy Graduation!
Support Us!
$750
$750
Contributed
Our Goal

Your donation will support the student journalists of Kennedy High School - IA. Your contribution will go towards the purchase of a new lens for our photographers.

Meet The Staff
Amalie Jørck
Amalie Jørck
Writer

Hi, my name is Amalie and I'm from Denmark, I'm here for my foreign exchange year. I love all things theatre and musicals. I enjoy learning new things, and I hope some of the things I write will be fun and interesting.

Taryn Oberthien
Taryn Oberthien
Writer, Photographer

Hi! My name is Taryn, I'm a freshman in Torch and I am looking forward to writing sports recaps and taking photos. I am on the Kennedy Dance Team, as well as competing at my studio, The Dancers Edge. Along with dance and Torch, I love hanging out with my friends and going shopping!

Maddy Gilchrist
Artist

Hi! I’m Madelyn Gilchrist. I’m a sophomore at Kennedy and this is my second year of Torch. Outside of classes, I’m in theater and various art programs. In my free time, I am usually hanging out with my friends and family, crocheting or drawing.

Arts and Culture
Illustration: Hadestown Construction Has Begun!
Illustration: Hadestown Construction Has Begun!
Izzy Westercamp, Artist/graphic Designer • April 28, 2025

Torch Out Loud, the Kennedy Torch podcast, presents a new episode.
Torch Out Loud: Moonlight Express on Jazz Choir at Kennedy
April 15, 2025
All- State qualifiers of Speech and Improv before performing last month.
Kennedy’s All-State Speech and Improv Team Perform in Showcase
April 14, 2025
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
March 29, 2025
Happiness, Inc. members portray the father (senior Avery Theis) and son (junior Saul Ervin) in the choir's show.
Varsity Show Choir ‘Happiness’ Season Recap
March 26, 2025
Photos
Donate to Kennedy Torch
$750
$750
Contributed
Our Goal