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The student news site of Atlantic High School

AHSneedle

The student news site of Atlantic High School

AHSneedle

The student news site of Atlantic High School

AHSneedle

2025 Winter Formal Queen candidates were Addie Freund, Claire Schroder, Lauren Comes, Lily Johnson, Maddy Anderson, and Makenna Schroeder. FFA members voted for the queen and students were excited for Lily Johnson when she won this year. 

AHS Winter Formal

Riley Hansen, Staff Writer February 19, 2025

Winter Formal is one of four school dances many students look forward to. They love the chance to dress up, see friends, and make memories. When getting ready, people get their nails, hair, and outfits...

Competitors from the NSDA National Qualifier Tournament stand with their awards after the tournament. Photo Credit: Coach Trisha Koenig

New National Qualifiers!

Alix Nath, Senior Editor February 18, 2025

On Friday, February 14, the Atlantic High School speech and debate team competed at the National Speech and Debate Association's (NSDA) National Qualifier Tournament. The team competed over the course...

Design made using copyright-free logo.

The Trump Administration’s Plans to Abolish the Department of Education– Is This Possible?

Anna Potts, Senior Editor February 11, 2025
The Department of Education has been at debate for years between Republicans and Democrats. With Republicans calling for its reform or elimination due to its growing budget and influence on policy, and Democrats advocating for its importance in funding lower-income communities and students with disabilities.
Students competing at the 2025 IHSSA State Debate Tournament stand with their awards. PHOTO CREDIT: Speech and Debate Coach Trisha Koenig

Debate Debrief

Alix Nath, Senior Editor January 15, 2025

This weekend, the AHS Speech and Debate team took four congressional debaters to the Iowa High School Speech Association (IHSSA) state debate tournament. The students competed over the course of Friday,...

Head Cheer Coach Julie Phippen, Cheerleaders Gabby Porter and Amaurie McCullough, and Assistant Coach Kayla Mendenhall pose with the trophy. They won the spirit award at the John J. Wrestling Tournament.

Cheer For the Cheerleaders!

Claire Pellett, AHS Needle Lead Editor January 23, 2024

The AHS wrestling cheerleaders won the Spirit Award at the annual John J. Wrestling Tournament on Jan. 19th- Jan 20th. The award itself is measured based on the cheerleaders' spirit and sportsmanship....

Colton Rasmussen high-fives fans at a basketball game. Parents and students alike cheer on athletes from the stands.

Breaking News: Noon Ball With a Different Meaning

Jaydin Nowatzke, Staff Writer January 5, 2024

Varsity Trojan basketball will compete with a full crowd of students on Jan. 16, according to Athletic Director Andrew Mitchell. The teams will play Red Oak at 11:30 a.m. for girls and 1 p.m. for boys....

Vice President Pence will offer the opening coin toss on Oct. 6.

Pence to Appear at Pink-Out

Claire Pellett, AHS Needle Lead Editor September 28, 2023

Former Vice President Mike Pence will attend the Oct. 6 Pink-Out football game at the Atlantic Trojan Bowl. His events coordinator recently contacted ACSD Activities Director Andrew Mitchell about having...

It's hard to hire teachers when the cost is higher than the reward.

“Why is there a teacher shortage?”

Ally Peterson, Editor March 28, 2023

In recent years, there’s been a teacher shortage in the United States. Much of this is due to the recession during COVID-19, which then resulted in tax cuts and salary cuts. This caused a wave of teachers...

Ms. Niceswanger keeps a jar of pride flags in her classroom. Other teachers also show support for the QSA with flags, stickers, and posters.

Walkout Organized for March 1

Genevieve McCalla, Editor February 28, 2023

On Wednesday, March 1, a group of students plans to facilitate a walkout to protest the recent anti-LGBTQIA+ bills being debated in the Iowa legislature. The Iowa QSA, or Queer Student Alliance, a youth-led...

The Point host, Molly McFadden, sits down with senior Olivia Engler to discuss holiday favorites, Christmas in the Engler household, and best holiday traditions at AHS. Tune in to hear all about madrigal dinners, Mr. Peterson's scary Christmas narrations, and the tea on Christmas trees.

The Point: Spongebob Squarepants the Musical ft. Reese DeArment, Grace Mitchell, and Micaiah Andersen

Dakota Oswalt and Alex Garcia November 15, 2022

Alex Garcia brings exclusive interviews from the lead cast members of Spongebob Squarepants the Musical. Also, Dakota Oswalt gives a personal review of her experience of watching the musical live. We hope...

Last year, AHS held two blood drives. With the help of the National Society, they signed people up and made the blood drive run smoothly. Cathy Knuth often gives blood at the blood drives.

National Honor Society Holds a Blood Drive

Elizabeth Anderson, Lead Editor October 26, 2022

Atlantic High School's chapter of the National Honor Society has been experiencing hardships this year. After being unable to find a replacement advisor for the group, NHS has been officially taken over...

ALL ABOUT THE BRASS - The jazz band boasts five trombone players, the largest section group. Two of the players also play bass guitar, so they switch out on that instrument at times.

Marching Band’s Final March

Katie Birge October 20, 2022

The marching band had its final performance last Friday, Oct. 14. The band transitioned its focus to concert band on Monday, Oct. 17. Angelica Anderson, a senior and bass clarinet player, said that the...

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