Hawks Win National Mock Trial Competition
For the first time in school history, the Ankeny High School mock trial team won the 2023 National High School Mock Trial Competition after defeating New Mexico in the Final Round in Little Rock, AZ. In doing so, they became the fifth team from Iowa to secure the national title, giving Iowa the most wins of any state at the National Competition.
Participating students include Chloe Andersen, Nicki Casady, Sareena Casady, Hayden DeWitt, Mallory Jordan, Marissa Larson-Minar, Grant Miner, Hannah Pross, and Noah Yeager. The team is coached by attorneys Marcus Miller and Joe Metzger. Amy Akers serves as the teacher-coach.
This year’s competition case involved a fictional criminal case titled the State of Arkansas vs. Scout Cumberland, which involved the homicide of a school board member by another school board member, with New Mexico’s prosecution team arguing for premeditated murder and Iowa’s defense team claiming self-defense. The trial was presided over by Chief U.S. District Judge D. Price Marshall Jr., and the jury was made up of a panel of judges and attorneys from around the nation.
Under National High School Mock Trial Association rules, teams consist of six to nine official members assigned to roles representing the prosecution/plaintiff and defense/defendant sides, with six members participating in any given round. In each round, three members serve as attorneys and three serve as witnesses. Time limits are strictly enforced. The trial scenario switches from year to year between criminal and civil trials.
The National High School Mock Trial Competition began in 1984 in Des Moines, Iowa, with five states competing: Illinois, Iowa, Minnesota, Nebraska, and Wisconsin.
AHS Newspaper staff for The Talon bring home 13 awards
The Talon, the student publication of Ankeny High, competed with class C schools in the Iowa High School Press Association’s spring contest due to its size. The class C schools are known as phenomenal, impressive, groundbreaking student publications across the state that have been in the scholastic journalism for a very long time. This did not deter the students of AHS since the publication secured a spot among the best of the best by showcasing quality work in both print and web. Judges were impressed by the phenomenal work of high school journalists across the state, and The Talon held its own alongside them. Their adviser Alissa Hansen cannot wait to see what they do next.
13 awards go to the following Talon journalists for their stellar writing and reporting:
- First Place for Sports Story goes to seniors Gabby Risk & Sophie Rohlfing
- Third Place for Sports Story goes to sophomore Adam Mein
- First Place for School News Story goes to junior Vivian Wu
- Second Place for School News Story goes to senior Sophie Rohlfing
- Honorable Mention for School News Story goes to 2022 AHS graduate Lauren Kemp
- Third Place for News Story goes to senior Gabby Risk for
- Second Place for Editorial Cartoon/Comic Strip goes to junior Julien Noble
- Third Place for Editorial Cartoon/Comic Strip goes to junior Julien Noble
- Second Place for Reviews goes to senior Lejla Ahmetovic
- Honorable Mention for In-Depth News Story goes to junior Julien Noble
- Honorable Mention for Personality Profile goes to junior Vivian Wu
- Honorable Mention for Personality Profile goes to junior Joanna Guerrero
- Honorable Mention for Feature Story goes to senior Drew Taylor
The Talon is also among the top 15 contenders for the Iowa High School Press Association’s All-Iowa News Team. The winner of the prestigious award will be revealed during the IHSPA fall conference in October. It is indeed a remarkable achievement for The Talon to secure a spot on this list, and it speaks volumes about the newspaper’s dedication to excellence and journalistic integrity. Congratulations to the team behind The Talon!
AHS Drama Department to participate in the Iowa High School Musical Theater Awards Showcase
Ankeny High School’s Drama Department will participate in the 2023 Iowa High School Musical Theater Awards Showcase, presented by EMC Insurance Companies, in honor of the school’s achievements for its April production of The Wizard of Oz.
Produced by Des Moines Performing Arts as the culmination of a year-long education initiative, the Showcase will be held at the Des Moines Civic Center on Thursday, June 1 at 7:00 p.m. and will recognize a total of 94 schools from across the entire state.
AHS will be honored in a special video shown at the Showcase, in celebration of its receipt of an Outstanding Overall Performance Award – one of the program’s highest honors.
Jacynda Santiago and Jemma Bullock will represent AHS by performing in a collaborative inter-school medley led by a guest Broadway music director and choreographer. Additionally, Carter Evans will perform an excerpt from his award-winning role in The Wizard of Oz as Zeke/Lion.
Carter Evans will also participate in the Triple Threat Award program with other advanced performing students. In addition to a special performance at the showcase, students will audition for theater camp scholarships and the opportunity to represent Iowa at the National High School Musical Theatre Awards in New York City this summer.
Ankeny High School will also be recognized with the following awards and honors:
- Outstanding Overall Performance
- Outstanding Ensemble
- Outstanding Performance in a Principal Role – Carter Evans as “Zeke/Lion”
- Special Recognition for Performance in a Principal Role – Jenna Freeseman as “Glinda”
- Special Recognition for Performance in a Principal Role – Grant Miner as “Hickory/Tinman”
- Special Recognition for Performance in a Principal Role – Jacynda Santiago as “Dorothy Gale”
- Special Recognition for Featured Ensemble – Oz Company Singers
Tickets to the Showcase, which start at $15, will go on sale on Friday, May 12, 2023 at 10 AM at DMPA.org, the Des Moines Civic Center Ticket Office, and by phone at 515-246-2300.
The Awards Showcase will be live-streamed at IowaPBS.org as part of a collaboration with Iowa PBS. Iowa PBS will also broadcast a highlights special of the event on Friday, July 14 at 8:30 p.m. and on Sunday, July 16 at 1:00 p.m.
AHS DRAMA DEPARTMENT AWARDS PRESS RELEASE
Ankeny High School’s Drama Department will participate in the 2023 Iowa High School Musical Theater Awards Showcase, presented by EMC Insurance Companies, in honor of the school’s achievements for its April production of The Wizard of Oz.
Produced by Des Moines Performing Arts as the culmination of a year-long education initiative, the Showcase will be held at the Des Moines Civic Center on Thursday, June 1 at 7:00 p.m. and will recognize a total of 94 schools from across the entire state.
AHS will be honored in a special video shown at the Showcase, in celebration of its receipt of an Outstanding Overall Performance Award – one of the program’s highest honors.
Jacynda Santiago and Jemma Bullock will represent AHS by performing in a collaborative inter-school medley led by a guest Broadway music director and choreographer. Additionally, Carter Evans will perform an excerpt from his award-winning role in The Wizard of Oz as Zeke/Lion.
Carter Evans will also participate in the Triple Threat Award program with other advanced performing students. In addition to a special performance at the showcase, students will audition for theater camp scholarships and the opportunity to represent Iowa at the National High School Musical Theatre Awards in New York City this summer.
Ankeny High School will also be recognized with the following awards and honors:
Outstanding Overall Performance
Outstanding Ensemble
Outstanding Performance in a Principal Role – Carter Evans as “Zeke/Lion”
Special Recognition for Performance in a Principal Role – Jenna Freeseman as “Glinda”
Special Recognition for Performance in a Principal Role – Grant Miner as “Hickory/Tinman”
Special Recognition for Performance in a Principal Role – Jacynda Santiago as “Dorothy Gale”
Special Recognition for Featured Ensemble – Oz Company Singers
Tickets to the Showcase, which start at $15, will go on sale on Friday, May 12, 2023 at 10 AM at DMPA.org, the Des Moines Civic Center Ticket Office, and by phone at 515-246-2300.
The Awards Showcase will be live-streamed at IowaPBS.org as part of a collaboration with Iowa PBS. Iowa PBS will also broadcast a highlights special of the event on Friday, July 14 at 8:30 p.m. and on Sunday, July 16 at 1:00 p.m.
Register Now for Summer Enrichment Camps and Activities
Explore a wide range of summer enrichment camps and activities by visiting any of the Summer Enrichment links below. Whether it’s a cooking class, learning about horses, arts, reading, or sports, there are a variety of options for children of different ages and interests.
| Activity | Description | Contact |
| Career Exploration Opportunities | We have a wide range of career exploration opportunities to help you find your passion and prepare for your dream job. Our career exploration programs include internships, job shadowing, mentorship programs, informational interviews with professionals in various fields, career fairs, and networking events. Whether you’re a high school student or in middle school, we have programs and resources to help you explore different careers, gain valuable experience, and connect with industry professionals. Let us help you take the first step towards a fulfilling and rewarding career. | Career Exploration website |
| Reading Activities to help prevent Summer Slide | Suggestions to encourage children to open books even after school doors close. Have some fun and avoid the summer reading slide. | 10 Weeks of Summer Reading Adventures
2023 Summer Library Program for all ages – Find Your Voice Scholastic Article: KIDS & FAMILY READING REPORT THE SUMMER READING IMPERATIVE |
| ACSD Summer Classes | Ankeny Community Engagement is proud to offer quality continuing education courses for students and adults in the Ankeny community and surrounding areas. Whether it’s an adult fitness class, evening or weekend enrichment for kids, or a class to keep your finances in check, you’ll find a wide variety of courses. View our Summer Course Catalog.
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Kristopher Koehler
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| DMACC Kids College Youth Camps | Youth Tech Inc. in cooperation with Des Moines Area Community College West Campus’s Celebrate! Innovation program is an interactive computer camp that focuses on providing enrichment opportunities to students in the world of computers. Classes offered at DMACC’s West Des Moines Campus or virtually. Various courses offered. Age range: 6-17. Registration fee. | DMACC Kids College website |
| Blank Park Zoo Summer Safari Camps | Explore the world of animals and nature. Week-long half-day or full day camp options that consist of hands-on lessons, games, art, zoo explorations and live animal encounters. Age range: 3 years through 7th grade. Registration discount for zoo members. Registration fee. | Blank Park Zoo Safari Camps website |
| Climb Iowa Summer Youth Camps | Climb Iowa camps introduce young adventurers to climbing. Children will learn about trust, teamwork and problem solving while developing their rock climbing skills through interactive games and activities. Ages 8-12. Registration fee. | Climb Iowa Youth Camps website |
| Jester Park Equestrian Camps | Four fun-filled mornings of summer camp at Jester Park Equestrian Center. Enjoy learning all about horses and spending plenty of time riding, along with participating in other fun camp activities like games and crafts. Ages 5-12. Registration fee. | Jester Park Equestrian website |
| Living History Farms Day Camps | Half-day and full day camps offered for children entering kindergarten through eighth grade. Registration fee. | Living History Farms Camps website |
| Polk County Conservation Day Camps | Variety of day camps offered for ages 6+. These day camps are designed to encourage hands-on learning through outdoor explorations, activities, games, crafts, and more. Camps will be led by naturalists. Campers are asked to bring a water bottle and sack lunch for day long camps. Prepackaged snacks will be provided. Registration fee. | Polk Country Conservation Camps website |
| Love Lunches | Love Lunches is served every weekday all summer long to kids and families in Ankeny that have need. Hot and cold lunches served daily at Ankeny Presbyterian Church, 317 SE Trilein Drive in Ankeny from 11:30 am-12:30 pm. Monday-Friday and at Sunset Park, 1320 SW 3rd Street in Ankeny, 11:30 am – 12:30 pm, Monday-Thursday. | Love Lunches facebook page
Mary Kohlsdorf, 515-965-1737, ext. 224. holly.szcodronski@gmail.com (Sunset Park location – Holy Trinity Lutheran Church) |
| Ankeny Park & Recreation Department | The Parks and Recreation Department offers a variety of leagues and activities for children ages toddler to 18. Click link for full listing of leagues, camps and courses. | Ankeny Parks and Recreation Activity website |
| Des Moines Performing Arts Summer Camps | Young people sharpen their skills, stretch their imaginations, and create unique memories through a variety of Des Moines Performing Arts education opportunities. With theater professionals as the instructors, students gain a deeper understanding of the process, build confidence, and benefit from a fresh jolt of creative energy. Grades 3-12. | Des Moines Performing Arts Summer Camps website |
| Des Moines Community Playhouse Summer Camps | Variety of Camps held for grades K-12. | Des Moines Community Playhouse Summer Camps website |
| Real Food 4 Kids | Hands on cooking camp for kids and teens, ages 6+. Three options offered for 4 –day sessions. | Cooking Class website |
| Elementary Math Activities and Games | Have fun this summer incorporating math into each day. You and your child can play dice and card games, engage in conversations about a picture, or solve a problem together. You will find FREE resources to help you and your child develop a love of mathematics. | Math Summer Resources |
| Des Moines Y Camps | Overnight and day camp options for ages 6-13 (daycamp) and ages 9-12 (overnight camp). What better place for your child to spend their summer days than at the Des Moines Y Camp located in Boone?
Under the supervision of trained staff your child will spend their summer enjoying the outdoors through various program activities all while building new friendships and growing in the four Y values of caring, honesty, respect, and responsibility. Daily traditional activities may include: climbing, hiking, archery, fishing, canoeing, field games, Imagineering, crafts, swimming, gaga ball, horseback riding (additional fee), and so much more! VIP Program for ages 14 – 17 |
Des Moines Y Camps website |
SOFTBALL MEETING
There will be a softball meeting for all players 8-12 grade at the Southview gym on April 10th, at 7:30 AM!
Gary Telford Athletic/Academic Scholarship
Athletic/Academic Scholarship Opportunity
The Ankeny Athletic Booster Club is offering the Gary Telford Scholarship which recognizes student-athletes. Any AHS senior who has participated in at least two sports each year for grades 10, 11, 12 while simultaneously maintaining a minimum requirement 3.0 cumulative GPA is eligible to apply. Four $1,000 scholarships will be awarded to one male and one female recipient from AHS and ACHS. Complete the scholarship application form and return it, with essay, to the Activities Office no later than Friday, April 7. You can also pick up a copy of the application in the Activities Office.
2023-2024 CHEERLEADING TRYOUT APPLICATION
Future Ankeny Hawk Cheerleaders: Please click on the link below and fill out the form. Tryouts are the last week of March!
Boys Track Practice Reminder
First practice will be Tuesday, February 21 at 4:00. Be dressed and ready and meet in the hallway be the AD office. If you have questions, please contact Coach Mullen.