JAGUAR JOURNAL
Ankeny Centennial High School - May 2023
Principal's Greeting
Hello, Jag Families,
With summer just around the corner, I’m reminded of this quote by Elena Aguilar:
“Endings are times for celebration and appreciation, which lay the foundation for resilience in the days ahead.”
As we formally celebrate our seniors at our upcoming Commencement ceremony on June 3, please find time with your family in the coming days to celebrate your Centennial student, whether they are completing 10th, 11th, or 12th grade. In the midst of our fast-paced daily grind, it’s important that we highlight the great things our students are doing.
Thank you for your partnership this year!
Sincerely,
Dr. Jill Urich
Principal
End of Semester Schedule
Click here to view our end-of-semester schedule for second semester.
Media Center News
Textbooks and Library Materials
May is here, which means we start to collect all of the library and textbooks from this school year. If you have a senior this year, we will also be collecting their Chromebooks and chargers. Please contact us at chsmedia@ankenyschools.org if you have any questions.
Nurse's Notes
2023 Seniors: Your immunization certificate that you receive with your graduation envelope is for your safe-keeping. The school does not keep a copy of these.
2024 Seniors: If you have not already, make plans before the first day of the school year to get your second Meningococcal (MCV4) vaccine. This is required for your senior year by the state of Iowa. Please submit proof of immunization to the school nurse, Krystal Stanford: mailto:krystal.stanford@ankenyschools.org
Questions or concerns, contact Krystal Stanford: krystal.stanford@ankenyschools.org
The Counselor's Corner
Final Transcript Requests for Seniors
All final high school transcripts are sent through Naviance
In Naviance select “Colleges” at the top, then select “Colleges I’m Applying To.” On the next page select “Request Transcript” in the upper right hand corner and make sure you select “Final Transcript.”
DMACC Transcripts must be requested with DMACC. Paper forms will be distributed in Advisory on May 5th or students can login to their MyDMACC account and request online. It is important that students are able to login to their MyDMACC account so they can access an unofficial copy of their transcript for post-secondary orientations. If a student doesn’t know their DMACC username or password it can be recovered by calling the DMACC tech line at (515) 965-7300
Juniors → Seniors! Be on the lookout for your Senior Letter
This summer, students in the graduating class of 2024 will receive a Senior Credit Letter in the mail. The letter will identify the courses and the number of credits your senior student will need to meet graduation requirements. As a reminder, students need to meet graduation requirements as well as be enrolled as a full time student. Full time students are enrolled in 6 credits plus a PE each semester. We are excited to help your student have a successful senior year!
DMACC Online Course Registration
Fall 2023 Online DMACC course registration is open. Students interested in taking an online college course next fall will need to register before May 27th. Linked is an important document for students and guardians to review before making the decision to take an online course. Reach out to your student’s counselor if you have any questions.
SAP Counseling Services
Message from Employee & Family Resources (EFR) regarding the Student Assistance Program (SAP): At EFR, we know that summer can be just as as busy and stressful as the school year Whether you're simply struggling to balance it all or you’re experiencing a more complex life challenge, EFR is here for you. Through the Student Assistance program provided by your school, your child and household family members have access to free, confidential counseling.
How to Use your SAP: Call us at (515) 244-6090 or (800) 327-4692 if you’re outside of the Des Moines area). The intake counselor will collect some basic info such as name, phone number, and date of birth. This counselor will also help you through any urgent needs or issues. Then you will make your counseling appointment. You will receive a reminder call the day before your scheduled appointment. Video: No Problem Too Small for SAP
Follow us on Instagram @ achscounselors!
Activities' Corner
French National Honor Society
Congratulations to the 25 new & 4 returning members who were inducted into the Société Honoraire de français Sunday April 16th!
Seniors: Lydia Boehlert, Charlie Brink (2nd year), Addie Brooks, Abigail Brown (2nd year) Michaela Coleman, Rebecca Gabrielsson (2nd year), Emma Goff, Esther Guan (2nd year) Brenna Halsted, Megan Heldt, Cam Hershberger, Bri Hynick, Olivia Joensen, Jenna McClain, Maddy Moen, Emma Plate, Kemble Rains, Dayanara Sanchez, Rai San Martin, Kelsey Taylor, Katie Tschirren, Sari White, and Juniors: Chloe Bredice, Mary Faidley, Abby Fickbohm, Ara Lofgren, Logan Sobaski, Addie White & Chrissi Zachariades.
Spanish National Honor Society
La Sociedad Honoraria Hispánica inducted 23 members. In addition to the rigorous academic requirements to join the Spanish Honors Society, these students organize and lead club activities, volunteer their time to tutor others, and participate in various service projects at school and within the community. Students also demonstrate good character and leadership skills throughout the year. We would like to recognize the outstanding achievements of these individuals this academic school year: Eliana Baca, Anna Bradford, Abigail Brown, Lilliana Carreon, Brooklyn Conger, Luis (Nicholas) De la Cuba, Duy Duong, Tommy Gilbert, Sophie Giles, Megan Heldt, Andrew Law, Haidyn Lilly, Ava Lowe, Lauren Meredith, Avery Minter, Gabby Mixdorf, Eli Mwesigwa, Madilyn Nelson, Adelynne Peterson, Addie Pollock, Anna Sash, Corinne Swalve, and Julia Yount.
Spring Musical Awards
ACHS's spring musical The 25th Annual Putnam County Spelling Bee earned several honors through the Iowa High School Musical Theater Awards! The cast and crew earned a Distinguished Scene Award for "The I Love You Song," featuring soloists Abby Fickbohm, Kemble Rains, and Elliana Minter. In addition, Ryan Henzi and Abby Fickbohm each earned Outstanding Performance in a Principal Role, and Rai San Martin earned Special Recognition for Performance in a Principal Role. Finally, Kenzie Halbach, Kaitlin Like, Rai San Martin, Drew Carter, and Caroline Trout earned Special Recognition for Achievement in Choreography. These achievements will be honored at the IHSMTA Showcase on June 1!
Student Council
Student Council is taking applications for the 23-24 school year. Join a great group of students as they organize events throughout the year for CHS including On the Prowl, Homecoming, and senior service day just to name a few. Students can pick up an application outside room #1108. Applications and teacher recommendations are due by May 24 to Advisors Abigail Hoshaw or Linka Pace.
Centennial Camps
Registration is open for Centennial sports camps. A variety of camps for all school ages are available. See website for more information and sign up.
Drake Relays
Our 4x100 Unified Relay qualified for the Special Olympic portion of the Drake Relays. The team of Makai Mills Mitchell, Mariah Belzer, Nathan Retzlaff and Cole Grider came in second with a time of 1.01.14.
The girls track 4x2 team of Mya Crawford, Layla Hughes, Kylin Smith, and Julia Flick set a school record with a time of 1:44.69 and finished 10th. The 4x4 team of Mya Crawford, Maddy LaVoi, Kylin Smith, and Julia Flick set a school record in the prelims with a time of 3:55.96 and went on to finish 2nd in the Finals with a time of 3:57.82. Kylin Smith set a school record in the 400 Hurdles with a time of 1:04.59 and finished 8th. Jaeden Pratt finished 5th in the Long Jump with a jump of 17-07.50. The Girls track team has set 5 new school records so far this season!
Athletic Signing Night
The Athletic Senior Signing Night was held May 17. We celebrated 35 students continuing their athletic and academic careers at the college level. Athletic awards were all so given to the following: AGSA Scholarship to Sydney Morris and Lauren Gustofson; Karon Brown Award to Averi Porter; Iowa Girl Award to Averi Porter; Bernie Saggau Award to Easton Pratt; and the Gary Telford Scholarships were awarded to Averi Porter and Luke Auderer. Congratulations to all our student-athletes.
State Qualifying
The girls tennis team has qualified for the state tournament and plays the first round Saturday, May 20, at Prairie Ridge.
Abbie Peterson and Esther Guan have qualified for the state singles tennis tournament.
Megan Yuan and Samara Peterson and Jenna Benkufsky and Ara Lofgren have qualified for the state doubles tennis tournament.
Caleb Peterson has qualified for the boys state tennis tournament.
Payton Drefke has qualified for the girls state golf tournament.
State Tournaments
State Girls and Boys Track meet is at Drake University on May 18-20.
State Girls Soccer is at Cownie Soccer Complex on May 31, June 2, 3.
State Boys Soccer is at Cownie Soccer Complex on May 30, June 1, 3.
State Girls Golf is on May 25-26 at Otter Creek.
State Girls Tennis is on May 26-27. Team Tennis is on May 30th.
State Boys Singles & Doubles May 23-24.
2023 Seal of Biliteracy
We would like to congratulate our Centennial students that earned the Seal of Biliteracy this year. A seal of biliteracy is an award given by the district to recognize students who have attained proficiency in two or more languages, one of which is English, by high school graduation. Based on the current results received, 63 students earned the Seal of Biliteracy this year across five different languages, Spanish, French Hebrew, Bosnian and Swedish!
Upcoming Calendar of Events
May
05/23: Senior's Last Day
05/23: Senior Spotlight - 7:00 pm
05/29: No School - Memorial Day - 1:00 pm
05/31: LAST DAY OF SCHOOL
June
06/01: Senior Breakfast & Mandatory Commencement Practice
06/03: Commencement - Hilton Coliseum, Ames Iowa
August
Monday, August 14: The building will be open on this day for students to get their pictures taken and to practice walking their schedules. Details will be communicated in early August.
Wednesday, August 23: FIRST DAY OF SCHOOL 2023-2024
**Graduation for the class of 2024: Details on the date and location for the 2024 Commencement Ceremony will be released in the coming weeks.
Ankeny Centennial High School
Website: https://achs.ankenyschools.org/
Location: 2220 Northwest State Street, Ankeny, IA, USA
Phone: 515-965-9610
Twitter: @ankeny_jaguars