By Steph Fruend and Kylie Juelsgaard

Video by Leah Tjepkes

Wins, losses, teacher retirements, Twirp, Prom and Homecoming.  The many events that happened at AHS in the year of 2013.

In January, English teacher Maria Oltmans came to take the place of Rnglish teacher Matthew Smith as he took over for retired teacher, Terry Shuman. Also, Spanish teacher Daniel Vargason dyed his hair blue for prostate cancer awareness, and the Spanish clubs fundraiser.  The first episode of Eye of the Needle started!

February was a big month for Trojan basketball and wrestling.  The Trojan basketball team secured their second straight Hawkeye 10 Conference title  but ended their season with a 22-2 record, falling short to Harlan.  Junior Dillion Cox, senior Tyler Stork, and senior Matt Williamson competed in the Iowa state wrestling tournament.  Also, AHS Needle reached 1000 posts!

March was the debut month for the “Guys and Dolls” musical.  Sam Hayes was crowned Mr. AHS during TWIRP week as well.  In a school board meeting, a decision was made to call both girl and guy teams in the Atlantic school district Trojans. The name “Trojann” was retired.

In April, the 2013 prom was themed, “Out of this World.”  Senior Survivor also returned to our school with winner  Jake Auerbach. In more basketball news, coach Steve Blazek retired from the head coaching position.  Also, the ACSD website was hacked in this month.

In May, math teacher Sheila Hayden reached her tenth month as a non-smoker as the school year ended.  The intruder plan, Alice, was first introduced to the faculty.  The anti-bullying assembly also took place at AHS.

The summer months of AHS, June and July, was the time of the baseball bus controversy.

August brought about the start of a new school year.  The cheerleaders returned to state competition, and the fall sports season kicked off.

In September, Maren McNees and Jacob Johnson were named Homecoming Queen and King. The mentor program, Friend to Friend, started back up at AHS, involving even more students than last year.

October brought the fall play “Nevermind How It Happened, But How Did It End?” to the stage.  The journalism conference was held in Iowa City, and NHS hosted a blood drive.

November was the start of Spanish club trip fundraising, mentor training, and Hannah Jespersen competed for an All-State solo.

December held the madrigal dinner, SWIBA and end of semester testing.

To hear AHS students’ views on 2013, watch the video below: