The Student News Source Of Kennedy High School

Kennedy Torch
Franklin Middle School starts up a journalism club made up of PACT students.
Franklin “Bolt Biweekly News”
Franklin Middle School has created a new policy regarding Chromebook regulations.
Franklin Middle School’s New Chromebook Policy
The future of CRCSD remains uncertain as the community awaits voting results of the proposed new school model.
School District Asks Community to Vote on Proposed New School Model
Kennedy students display their awards from the 2026 Ethics Bowl on Jan. 14.
State Ethics Bowl
Freshman Charlotte Houghkirk displays her flexibility while dancing. Houghkirk competed with the Kennedy dance team at the Linn-Mar Lineage dance competition on November 1.
2026 UDA Nationals Sparks Controversy
Elevating for the acrobatic layup, junior Lawson Neighbor connects for his sixth layup of the game. Neighbor ended the game with 16 points off of a perfect 100% shooting.
Photos: Kennedy Basketball Defeats Xavier in the Battle of 42nd Street
Freshman Charlotte Houghkirk displays her flexibility while dancing. Houghkirk competed with the Kennedy dance team at the Linn-Mar Lineage dance competition on November 1.
2026 UDA Nationals Sparks Controversy
Freshman Rozlin Fries pulls downward in attempt to take her opponent to the ground.
Three Girls, One Milestone: Olivia, Meredith, and Joscelyn Wrestlers Make Their Mark
Escaping the Hempstead defender, freshman Brooks Greenlee creates space as he tries to find a shot.
Photos: Kennedy Picks up MVC Win Against Rival Dubuque Hempstead
Photos: January 5 Junior Varsity Girls Basketball vs. Xavier
The future of CRCSD remains uncertain as the community awaits voting results of the proposed new school model.
School District Asks Community to Vote on Proposed New School Model
Is In-School Suspension Really Helping Students at Kennedy High School?
Is In-School Suspension Really Helping Students at Kennedy High School?
Bargaining of the Budget Deficit
Stranger Things: The Rightside Up or The Upside Down?
Stranger Things: The Rightside Up or The Upside Down?
Ignored Decor- Depicts the school bathroom with vape posters that are defaced. Ironically awe see people standing in all the stalls, with vapor rising from the occupied stalls. This cartoon points out how these posters do little to nothing, while vape smoke detectors would be a better use of funds.
Ignored Decor
Camden Neff performs his solo at Triton Jazz Festival at Iowa Central Community College on January 17th, 2025.
Camden Neff; The Golden Saxophone
Cutting the baseline, freshman Drew McKowen takes his angle to the basket.
Kennedy Stuns No. 9 Bettendorf in Statement Win
7 Brew on Collins opening Jun 2
7 Brew: New Coffee Shop Opens Soon
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
Camden Neff performs his solo at Triton Jazz Festival at Iowa Central Community College on January 17th, 2025.
Camden Neff; The Golden Saxophone
Saxophone Representing Kernels
Sophomore Connor Adams; Bringing Kennedy To The Kernels.
Sophomore Elaina Chesmore throws her ball down the lane.
Senior Elaina Chesmore Competes in One Last Bowling Season
Senior Slader Buckheister runs at Anamosa meet.
Kennedy Athletic and Academic Standout Senior Slader Buckheister Signs to Iowa
Behind the Scenes: The Stage Crew Behind Happiness Inc.
Kennedy Show Choir’s Happiness performs in the Kennedy Auditorium on January 13, 2026. This song Olivia by One Direction, was the opener of Kennedy’s Dessert concert, showcasing their work to families, friends, and more.
Photos: Happiness Inc., Protege, and Moonlight Express perform at Kennedy’s Dessert Concert on January 13
Listening to music, junior Gavin Grant focuses on his art piece referring to an image on his Chromebook.
Photos: Kennedy Art Classes Continue Their Work on January 26
The Rocket League trio for Kennedy High School competes in their match on January 22nd, 2026. They lost their match against Newton Senior High School 3-0, but will compete again on Jan. 29, 2026.
Photos: Kennedy’s Varsity Esports Team Takes on Newton on January 22
Kennedy students display their awards from the 2026 Ethics Bowl on Jan. 14.
State Ethics Bowl
Looking out into the audience, senior Izzy Westercamp sings her solo at Linn-Mar Competition.
Senior Izzy Westercamp Win Best Solo at Linn-Mar Competition
Kennedy Show Choir’s Happiness performs in the Kennedy Auditorium on January 13, 2026. This song Olivia by One Direction, was the opener of Kennedy’s Dessert concert, showcasing their work to families, friends, and more.
Photos: Happiness Inc., Protege, and Moonlight Express perform at Kennedy’s Dessert Concert on January 13
Listening to music, junior Gavin Grant focuses on his art piece referring to an image on his Chromebook.
Photos: Kennedy Art Classes Continue Their Work on January 26
The Rocket League trio for Kennedy High School competes in their match on January 22nd, 2026. They lost their match against Newton Senior High School 3-0, but will compete again on Jan. 29, 2026.
Photos: Kennedy’s Varsity Esports Team Takes on Newton on January 22
Elevating for the acrobatic layup, junior Lawson Neighbor connects for his sixth layup of the game. Neighbor ended the game with 16 points off of a perfect 100% shooting.
Photos: Kennedy Basketball Defeats Xavier in the Battle of 42nd Street
Escaping the Hempstead defender, freshman Brooks Greenlee creates space as he tries to find a shot.
Photos: Kennedy Picks up MVC Win Against Rival Dubuque Hempstead
The Student News Source Of Kennedy High School

Kennedy Torch
The Student News Source Of Kennedy High School

Kennedy Torch
Recent Stories
News
Franklin Middle School starts up a journalism club made up of PACT students.
Franklin “Bolt Biweekly News”
Lucy Baranowski, Writer • February 4, 2026

Franklin Middle School’s “Bolt Biweekly News” may just be the solution for advanced language arts classes throughout the district middle schools. With multiple newsletters...

Continue Reading
Franklin Middle School has created a new policy regarding Chromebook regulations.
Franklin Middle School’s New Chromebook Policy
Emma Wagner, Writer • February 4, 2026

Starting this school year, Franklin Middle School issued a new Chromebook policy regarding students' access to chromebooks. The school is now part of the Cedar Rapids Community...

Continue Reading
The future of CRCSD remains uncertain as the community awaits voting results of the proposed new school model.
School District Asks Community to Vote on Proposed New School Model
Lucy Baranowski, Writer • February 3, 2026

Kennedy High School has been well-known for academic and athletic success, but is threatened to be eliminated. Why? For being the smallest school? For being the oldest? And...

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
Freshman Charlotte Houghkirk displays her flexibility while dancing. Houghkirk competed with the Kennedy dance team at the Linn-Mar Lineage dance competition on November 1.

2026 UDA Nationals Sparks Controversy

3
Posing for a class photo, Kennedy's class of 2029 prepares for their school year as incoming freshman.

Freshmen to Watch

4
A school board that reads "Closing Due to Budget Deficit" with a box full of teacher's office supplies, CRCSD prepares to meet on monday, January 12th in order to discuss the budget deficit the school district is facing, along with the closures of 7 elementary schools.

CRCSD Proposal Plans to Shut Down Multiple Elementary Schools in the District

5
Looking out into the audience, senior Izzy Westercamp sings her solo at Linn-Mar Competition.

Senior Izzy Westercamp Win Best Solo at Linn-Mar Competition

6
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?

7
Senior Izzy Westercamp poses after finishing her solo.

Kennedy Winter Warm Up

8
Camden Neff performs his solo at Triton Jazz Festival at Iowa Central Community College on January 17th, 2025.

Camden Neff; The Golden Saxophone

9
Is In-School Suspension Really Helping Students at Kennedy High School?

Is In-School Suspension Really Helping Students at Kennedy High School?

10
Cutting the baseline, freshman Drew McKowen takes his angle to the basket.

Kennedy Stuns No. 9 Bettendorf in Statement Win

Sports
Elevating for the acrobatic layup, junior Lawson Neighbor connects for his sixth layup of the game. Neighbor ended the game with 16 points off of a perfect 100% shooting.
Photos: Kennedy Basketball Defeats Xavier in the Battle of 42nd Street
Gabe Copley, Photographer • February 2, 2026

Freshman Charlotte Houghkirk displays her flexibility while dancing. Houghkirk competed with the Kennedy dance team at the Linn-Mar Lineage dance competition on November 1.
2026 UDA Nationals Sparks Controversy
February 2, 2026
Freshman Rozlin Fries pulls downward in attempt to take her opponent to the ground.
Three Girls, One Milestone: Olivia, Meredith, and Joscelyn Wrestlers Make Their Mark
January 28, 2026
Escaping the Hempstead defender, freshman Brooks Greenlee creates space as he tries to find a shot.
Photos: Kennedy Picks up MVC Win Against Rival Dubuque Hempstead
January 22, 2026
Opinion
The future of CRCSD remains uncertain as the community awaits voting results of the proposed new school model.
School District Asks Community to Vote on Proposed New School Model
Lucy Baranowski, Writer • February 3, 2026

Kennedy High School has been well-known for academic and athletic success, but is threatened to be eliminated. Why? For being the smallest school? For being the oldest? And...

Is In-School Suspension Really Helping Students at Kennedy High School?
Is In-School Suspension Really Helping Students at Kennedy High School?
January 28, 2026
Bargaining of the Budget Deficit
January 12, 2026
Stranger Things: The Rightside Up or The Upside Down?
Stranger Things: The Rightside Up or The Upside Down?
January 12, 2026
Wenig Weather Report


  • 6 PM
    39 °
  • 7 PM
    35 °
  • 8 PM
    33 °
  • 9 PM
    31 °
  • 10 PM
    30 °
  • 11 PM
    30 °
  • 12 AM
    30 °
  • 1 AM
    30 °
  • 2 AM
    30 °
  • 3 AM
    30 °
  • 4 AM
    33 °
  • 5 AM
    31 °
  • 6 AM
    30 °
  • 7 AM
    30 °
  • 8 AM
    30 °
  • 9 AM
    30 °
  • 10 AM
    31 °
  • 11 AM
    31 °
  • 12 PM
    32 °
  • 1 PM
    31 °
  • 2 PM
    32 °
  • 3 PM
    33 °
  • 4 PM
    34 °
  • 5 PM
    33 °
  • 6 PM
    32 °
February 5
42°/ 19°
Overcast
February 6
34°/ 19°
Overcast
February 7
28°/ 14°
Sunny
Class of 2026 Graduation
Days Until Graduation
Happy Graduation!
Support Us!
$125
$1000
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
Gabe Copley
Gabe Copley
Photographer
Izzy Westercamp
Izzy Westercamp
Designer
Samuel Sanders-Licher
Samuel Sanders-Licher
Photographer, Videographer
Arts and Culture
Kennedy Show Choir’s Happiness performs in the Kennedy Auditorium on January 13, 2026. This song Olivia by One Direction, was the opener of Kennedy’s Dessert concert, showcasing their work to families, friends, and more.
Photos: Happiness Inc., Protege, and Moonlight Express perform at Kennedy’s Dessert Concert on January 13
Samuel Sanders-Licher, Photographer • February 4, 2026

 

Listening to music, junior Gavin Grant focuses on his art piece referring to an image on his Chromebook.
Photos: Kennedy Art Classes Continue Their Work on January 26
February 3, 2026
The Rocket League trio for Kennedy High School competes in their match on January 22nd, 2026. They lost their match against Newton Senior High School 3-0, but will compete again on Jan. 29, 2026.
Photos: Kennedy’s Varsity Esports Team Takes on Newton on January 22
February 3, 2026
Kennedy students display their awards from the 2026 Ethics Bowl on Jan. 14.
State Ethics Bowl
February 3, 2026
Looking out into the audience, senior Izzy Westercamp sings her solo at Linn-Mar Competition.
Senior Izzy Westercamp Win Best Solo at Linn-Mar Competition
January 30, 2026
Photos
Donate to Kennedy Torch
$125
$1000
Contributed
Our Goal