District News & Announcements 
On May 20, the members of the AHS Class of 2012 walked across the stage at the Drake Knapp Center in Des Moines and completed their high school careers. Commencement addresses were delivered by Brandon Bolte, Shawna Grittmann, Chad Norris and Darby Rourick of the senior class. The graduates were also addressed by Dr. Matthew Wendt, Superintendent of Schools; George Tracy, President of the Board of Education; and Brenda Colby, Ankeny High School Principal. The Board of Education, administration, faculty and staff of the Ankeny Community School District would like to commend and congratulate our graduating seniors. View photos and read the class list here.
Presidential Scholar Candidates Ankeny Community School District is proud to announce that Ankeny High School students Brandon Bolte and Iris Bennett have been selected as a candidate and semifinalist, respectively, for the United States Presidential Scholars Program. Each year, up to 141 students out of 3,000 applicants are named as Presidential Scholars, one of the nation's highest honors for high school students. Read more here.
AHS Student 'Checks' Out Cabinetry Class Ankeny High School senior Lorenz Hudalla, a German exchange student, brought home superior marks and a gold medal May 11 from the Iowa Industrial Technology Exposition held at Southeast Polk High School. The goal of the expo, which is sponsored by the Iowa Department of Education, Prairie Meadows and Rotary International, is for students to become more technically skilled, work cooperatively, and to develop a positive attitude toward learning and work. Read more here.
District Communications Earn Awards School District communications won several awards, including three best in class awards, in the 2012 Iowa Schools Public Relations Association (ISPRA) communications contest. Communications from school d istricts, Area Education Agencies and other educational institutions are evaluated on a 100-point scale by judges from Public Relations Associations in other states. Submissions are evaluated on content, writing, design, photos, overall impression and other criteria. Read the full article here.
Three National Merit Scholarship Finalists & One Candidate for National Achievement Scholarship Ankeny Community Schools is proud to announce that three AHS students have been named National Merit Scholarship Finalists, and one student is a candidate for the National Achievement Scholarship. Ankeny High School’s 2012 National Merit Scholarship Finalists and National Achievement Scholarship candidates include Iris Bennett, Andrew O'Hara, Alan Zhou and Belinda Mahama. Read more here.
Alumni Association Events The Ankeny Alumni Association is planning several upcoming events, including their 2012 Golf Tournament and Banquet on July 13, during SummerFest weekend, and an Alumni tailgate during the ISU vs. Texas Tech game at Jack Trice Stadium, September 29. Read more here.
Dr. Dana Schon Accepts Position with SAI Dr. Dana Schon, Executive Director of Elementary Education of Ankeny Community Schools, has accepted the position of Professional Learning Director with School Administrators of Iowa (SAI). Dr. Schon has been the Executive Director of Elementary Education at Ankeny Schools since July 2008 and will join SAI effective July 1. Read the full story here.
Testing Out Opportunities Available for Secondary Math Any incoming students in grades 6-12 who are interested in attempting to test out of their current math course are welcome to attend the secondary math acceleration opportunities listed below. Deadline for registration is July 9:
- Tuesday, July 17, 9 AM-noon, incoming sixth-grade students
- Tuesday, July 17, 1-3:00 PM, incoming sixth-grade students
- Wednesday, July 18, 9 AM-noon, incoming seventh-grade students
- Wednesday, July 18, 1-3:00 PM, incoming eighth-grade through 12th-grade students
- Read more about this opportunity here.
Ankeny Student Achieves Top ACT Score Iris Bennett, the daughter of Michael and Michelle Bennett of Ankeny and a senior at Ankeny High School (AHS), earned a top composite score of 36 on a recent ACT test. Nationally, while the actual number of students earning a composite score of 36 varies from year to year, roughly one-tenth of one percent receive a top score. Among test takers in the high school graduating class of 2011, only 704 of more than 1.6 million students earned a composite score of 36. Read more.
Elementary Art Teacher to Attend Institute Ankeny Schools K-5 art content facilitator and art teacher Jessica Balsley has been invited to the Arts Education Leadership Institute June 26-27 in Urbandale. She was recommended by the current leadership of the Art Educators of Iowa (AEI) as a potential leader in arts education. Read more here.
Five Ankeny Students Attend Iowa Youth Institute Five Ankeny students attended the first Iowa Youth Institute on April 30 at Iowa State University. The institute was hosted by the World Food Prize Foundation and drew students from across Iowa who are interested in science, technology, engineering and mathematics, otherwise known as STEM. The students invited were Brea Young, Kelly Behrens, Richelle Manuel, Sierra Lucht and Kailee Pierson. Read more here.
Fuel Up to Play 60 Trip to Iowa City Representatives of Parkview and Prairie Ridge students and staff were recently rewarded for outstanding participation in the Fuel Up to Play 60 program with a visit to the University of Iowa. They had a great day and were inspired to continue making positive changes to their school by healthy eating, physical activity and student leadership. View the video from FU2P60 on YouTube.
AHS Inducts 64 Students into National Honor Society On Tuesday, April 17, Ankeny High School inducted 64 students into its National Honor Society chapter. The keynote address was given by Dr. Jason Glass, director of the Iowa Department of Education. To become a member of the National Honor Society, students apply for membership, which is based on scholarship, character, leadership, community service, and involvement in co-curricular activities. Applicants must possess a 3.5 unweighted grade point average, and must also write an essay in order to be considered for admission. Read more here.
Dr. Pam Dodge Receives Iowa State's Jordan Larson Award Dr. Pam Dodge, current Executive Director of Special Programs and future principal at Prairie Trail Elementary School in Ankeny, received the Jordan Larson Award on May 2 from the educational administration faculty at Iowa State University. The Jordan Larson Award is given each year to an outstanding graduate in educational administration. Read more here.
Tony Moeaki Visits Terrace and Parkview Schools As the state winners in the Fuel Up to Play 60 Back to School, Back to Football Challenge, Terrace Elementary School and Parkview Middle School were rewarded with a visit from former Iowa Hawkeye football player and current Kansas City Chiefs tight end Tony Moeaki. Fuel Up to Play 60 is an in-school nutrition and physical activity program -- created in partnership with Midwest Dairy Council and the National Football League -- that encourages students to eat healthy foods, be active, and implement positive, healthy changes at school. Read more here.
Congressman Latham Honors AHS Students In celebration of Financial Literacy Awareness Month, Ankeny High School (AHS) hosted an event recognizing AHS seniors who have received certification in financial literacy after completing the Iowa Financial Literacy Program. Sponsored statewide by the Iowa College Student Aid Commission, and locally by the Principal Financial Group, and supported by the Iowa Bankers Association, this web-based program, designed by EverFi, uses the latest in new media technologies – video, animations, 3-D gaming, avatars, and social networking – to bring complex financial concepts to life for today’s digital generation. Read more here.
Senior Class Fees Deadline If your student is graduating this year, please keep in mind that all fees and/or fines must be paid prior to graduation in order to participate in commencement. You can view your balance on Infinite Campus, or contact Deb Oser or Patrice Stott at 965-9630. For payment, you may stop in the AHS front office, mail, or send payment with your student. Please make checks payable to Ankeny Community Schools.
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