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
All content by Da'Jai Wesson
Junior Lane Nelson preps for a swing at a home match. At the Hawkeye Ten Championship, Nelson placed 7th individually with a score of 80.

Boys Golf Wins Hawkeye Ten Championship Fourth Year in a Row

Da'Jai Wesson, Editor
May 13, 2021
Sophomore Abby Smith preps for a swing at a home meet. A large portion of the girls golf team consists of underclassmen who didn't have the opportunity to play last season.

Girls Golf Prepares for Final Matches

Da'Jai Wesson, Editor
May 7, 2021
Every week new Gen-Z phrases are shouted across the halls at AHS.

[Photo] A Guide to Gen-Z Slang

April 22, 2021
The AHSneedle staff smiles together at the beginning of the year. The staff worked hard this year to reach goals and improve the journalism program.

A Distignuished Site

Molly McFadden, Da'Jai Wesson, and Camryn Church
April 21, 2021
Senior Devin McKay chases after the ball during a game in 2019. McKay will be competing for his fourth year during this upcoming season.

Starting Spring Sports

Molly McFadden, Taliya James, and Da'Jai Wesson
February 23, 2021
Students at Washington Elementary celebrate culture day. One of ESL Coordinator Brielle Cerven's main goals is to "remind them that their culture has value," while teaching them new language skills.

Celebrating Culture: The ESL Program

Da'Jai Wesson, Editor
February 23, 2021
Drey Newell and Sydney Sanny arrive in style at the 2020 Prom. The theme for the event was The Roaring '20s.

Prom Set To Be A “MASK-erade”

Da'Jai Wesson, Editor
February 1, 2021
Volunteering to walk Daisy would earn students in the silver cord program volunteer hours. In order to earn the award, students must obtain 200 volunteer hours throughout high school.

[Photo] NEWS BRIEF — Little Daisy Needs a Walk

Alexandria Garcia and Ethan Steffens
January 20, 2021
Grades are often used to showcase a student’s dedication to a class. However, nowadays it seems to only showcase the fact that a student even went to school. What’s the point of a grading system if everyone can attain the best grade with minimal effort?

[Photo] “A” Controversial Grade

Ariel Clark, Editor
January 18, 2021
Junior Brayden Atkinson swims at a Johnston meet from the previous year. At the latest competition in Carroll, he brought home a 1st place win in the 200-yd IM.

Boys Swim Competes at Carroll

Da'Jai Wesson, Editor
December 21, 2020
During the holiday season, downtown Atlantic is covered in Christmas lights and decorations.

Top 10 Things to Do This Winter — OPINION

Da'Jai Wesson, Editor
December 16, 2020
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[Photo] 6. Go Christmas Light Watching

December 16, 2020
Junior Bryan York swims at a competition in Johnston last winter. This year their first competition was held at Boone High School where they earned fifth place.

Splashing Into a New Season

Da'Jai Wesson, Editor
December 8, 2020
Americans watched from home as president-elect Joe Biden and vice president-elect gave their acceptance speeches from Wilmington, Del. Saturday, Nov. 7.

Madame Vice President

Da'Jai Wesson, Editor
December 2, 2020
Tests come in all forms and styles. Each offers a unique twist to the standard method of assessment, which gives insight into the mind of the teacher providing the test.

[Photo] Testing, 1, 2, 3

Ariel Clark, Editor
November 30, 2020
Lex Somers celebrates acceptance into the all-state band during his sophomore year. All four years of high school, Somers auditioned and earned a spot in the band.

An All-Star All-Stater

Da'Jai Wesson, Editor
November 5, 2020
Students and community members gather together and shine their lights for Steele McLaren. The hashtag "#32strong" is to represent McLaren's jersey number on the varsity football team.

Strong as Steele

Camryn Church, Ariel Clark, Molly McFadden, and Da'Jai Wesson
October 28, 2020
Senior Lia Lillard applied for a scholarship through the school. Information like class ranking, GPA, and volunteering history was needed to apply.

Scholarship Tips

Da'Jai Wesson, Editor
October 28, 2020
In the Atlantic Community School District, there are 13 different non-discriminatory categories. Superintendent Steve Barber said, "As a school system, we look at ways to provide everyone an opportunity to succeed."

Supporting the BLM Movement

Eleanor Greving and Da'Jai Wesson
October 22, 2020
The Atlantic girls swim team traveled to Spencer Oct. 13. Eight of the girls swam at the triangular against Spencer and Perry.

Atlantic Girls Swim Competes at Spencer

Da'Jai Wesson, Editor
October 15, 2020
Students can order a yearbook from the school or online. If ordered by Oct. 10, it's only $45.

[Photo] How to Order a Yearbook

Madison Huddleson, Staff Writer
October 8, 2020
Senior Caroline Pellett waves to the crowd at Senior Night. The girls lost to the Saintes 2-3.

Girls Volleyball Senior Night

Da'Jai Wesson, Editor
September 28, 2020
Senior Bryer Rose gets ready to dive before her event at home last year. She competed both individually and in relays for the first meet at Marshalltown this fall.

Girls Swim Dives into First Meet

Da'Jai Wesson, Editor
September 22, 2020
Junior Alexis Reynolds swims in a relay at last year's state competition. The girls placed 17th at state.

Girls Swim Preview 2020-21

Da'Jai Wesson, Editor
September 11, 2020
The 2020 presidential election is on Tuesday, Nov. 3 this year. Citizens planning to vote must be registered.

Registering to Vote

Da'Jai Wesson, Editor
September 4, 2020
Some students choose not to wear a mask, even during passing periods. This year, face masks at AHS were "strongly encouraged," but not mandated.

Back to School Without Masks — OPINION

Da'Jai Wesson, Editor
August 27, 2020
Senior Savannah Cameron blows out her candles with a friend that she shares her birthday with. This year, her birthday was a lot different than usual.

Celebrating Inside

Da'Jai Wesson, Editor
May 13, 2020
Cloth face masks have grown in popularity around town, as well as the country. Many community members have donated their time and materials to create these helpful devices.

Cloth Face Masks Helping Stop the Spread

Da'Jai Wesson, Editor
April 16, 2020
Guidance secretary Gina Honke recommends applying for several scholarships. Students can consult Honke or the guidance counselors for questions about the scholarship process.

Scholarship Opportunities for AHS Seniors

Da'Jai Wesson, Editor
March 12, 2020
Junior Dazia Sorenson listens to music during study hall. Jamming out is a common form of self-care. It can increase dopamine levels and affect breathing and heart rate.

Ways that AHS Students Practice Self-Care

Da'Jai Wesson, Editor
February 27, 2020
Junior Jasmyne Oasay-Waddell helps at the spaghetti supper dessert table. All band members are required to participate in the supper.

Spaghetti Supper Funds Upcoming Music Trip

Da'Jai Wesson, Editor
February 18, 2020
Seniors Gill Askeland and Carli Henderson pose for a picture at Prom last year. The theme was "A Tour of Europe."

[Photo] A Look For a Special Occassion

Camryn Church, Editor
February 13, 2020
Atlantic Community School District bus driver Steve Andersen stands by one of the many buses at the bus barn on the edge of town. Andersen is one of the eight regular route bus drivers.

The Life of a Bus Driver

Da'Jai Wesson, Editor
February 11, 2020
All of the writers' work can be found on Hot Dish's website. Seven total pieces were published from four Atlantic writers.

Four Students Accepted into Hot Dish Magazine

Da'Jai Wesson, Editor
February 6, 2020
Freshman Edria Brummer's Youtube channel features a customized intro before each video.

Student Youtubers at AHS

Da'Jai Wesson, Editor
January 21, 2020
The concert choir sings a tune at the fall concert. The students who make up the concert choir also sing and dance as part of the Diversity squad. This year, their theme is "Music Through the Ages."

Swinging Into Show Choir

Da'Jai Wesson, Editor
January 13, 2020
Newly-elected school board members Nick Hunt and Laura McLean smile for the camera. In order to prepare for the tasks of the Board, Hunt went to a leadership camp and McLean attended seminars.

[Photo] Sitting Down with Hunt and McLean

Molly McFadden, Editor
December 19, 2019
The AHS band performs at their winter concert. Before the band played their last song, the five musicians accepted into SWIBA were honored.

Five Atlantic Musicians Make SWIBA

Da'Jai Wesson, Editor
December 19, 2019
English teacher Randall Simpson helps sophomore Jaci Smith look over her resumé. All students had to build a resumé and cover letter to include in their portfolio for the mock interview.

Sophomores Prepare for Future With Mock Interviews

Da'Jai Wesson, Editor
December 17, 2019
Pictured is the new Scooter's location in Atlantic. The drive-thru is open from 5:30 a.m. to 7 p.m.

Scooter’s Coffee Officially Opened

Da'Jai Wesson, Editor
December 10, 2019
Editor Camryn Church finishes a news brief for the website. Church is a part of the third-period editing class that works in the hallway.

How a Journalism Story is Written

Da'Jai Wesson, Editor
December 2, 2019
The majority of people with seasonal affective disorder experience it during late fall and winter. Over 14 million Americans experience it.

Not Just the Winter Blues

Da'Jai Wesson, Editor
November 20, 2019
Sophomore Kenzie Hoffman serves plates of chips at the Taco Night fundraiser. All students who participated took tickets, made food, or served those attending.

Another Trip, Another Taco Night

Da'Jai Wesson, Editor
November 12, 2019
Brooke Lamp

School Psychologist

Dajai Wesson
March 27, 2019
DO RE MI - Sophomore Olivia Engler practices with choir director Jennifer Gaesser. Students planning to audition have to practice up to 13 different songs.

NEWS BRIEF — All-State Competition is Approaching

Camryn Church and Dajai Wesson
September 28, 2018
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