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The student news site of Iowa City High School

The Little Hawk
Interested in learning more about City High's Student Senate? Meeting recaps are published weekly.
Student Senate Recap: Presidential Elections Loom and Warm Pretzel Bites Struck Down
April 15, 2025
Beverly Blau watches time pass. NESTT activities help students de-stress.
NESTT Moves to Second Floor and Continues Mental Health Awareness
April 14, 2025
Jake Reid '27 poses for portrait after his interview.
Autism Awareness Day: Q&A With Jake Reid
April 11, 2025
Members of Children of the Corn 167 finished 2nd in Iowa and are ranked 209th in the world.
Children of the Corn 167 Robotics Team Qualifies for World Championship
April 4, 2025
The City High Quiz Bowl team won their final match 410-80 over Marshalltown to win the state championship.
Quiz Bowl Wins State Championship 410 to 80 over Marshalltown
April 3, 2025
Seth Zeithamel '27 collides with a Liberty defender during a header.
City Boys Soccer Defeats Liberty 2-0
April 16, 2025
Brendan Lestina '25 prepared to take a serve in his first home match this season.
Anil and Lestina Look to Lead City Tennis to New Levels
April 11, 2025
Josie LeClair jumps the 400m hurdles at the Cedar Falls track and takes 4th place in the meet for City High.
UNBREAKABLE PROFILE: Josie LeClair
April 11, 2025
The Little Hawk sports podcasting team.
LH SPORTS POD: Spring Sports Scoreboard and The Masters Overview
April 11, 2025
Hattie Conover '25 serves the ball to her opponent. She waits for Cedar Falls #3 player to return it back.
Girls Tennis 24-25 Season Preview
April 10, 2025
Alex Norman focuses on history and opinion writing.
Minecraft Movie Gets Mixed Reviews, But This Is Why You Should See It
April 15, 2025
Eight of the Dumbest Bills in the 2025 Iowa Legislature
Eight of the Dumbest Bills in the 2025 Iowa Legislature
April 11, 2025
Project 2025 can be linked back to 1921 and is part of a series of documents called the Mandate for Leadership. The idea started with Warren G. Harding, who wanted to “omit unnecessary interference of government with business,”
The Bad History of Project 2025 and Why It Matters
April 10, 2025
Tips From A Senior: College Essay
Tips From A Senior: College Essay
April 8, 2025
Tips and Tricks to Do Well on SAT Math
Tips and Tricks to Do Well on SAT Math
April 4, 2025
Josie LeClair jumps the 400m hurdles at the Cedar Falls track and takes 4th place in the meet for City High.
UNBREAKABLE PROFILE: Josie LeClair
April 11, 2025
Kindred Coffee on N. Linn street prides their business on "killer coffee and vegetarian food".
LOCAL DRIP: A Kindred Community
April 1, 2025
Mary Peterson's work involves supporting students both academically and emotionally.
Q&A With School Counselor Mary Peterson
March 27, 2025
Filon Kalembire is one of the presidents of City High's Culinary Club.
President of Culinary Club Filon Kalembire Cooks up Community and Creativity
March 27, 2025
The Kitty Corner Social Club opened in downtown Iowa City in late February. It's open every day except Monday from ten AM to nine PM.
Local Business Spotlight: Kitty Corner Social Club
March 10, 2025
Beverly Blau watches time pass. NESTT activities help students de-stress.
NESTT Moves to Second Floor and Continues Mental Health Awareness
April 14, 2025
The Little Hawk sports podcasting team.
LH SPORTS POD: Spring Sports Scoreboard and The Masters Overview
April 11, 2025
Project 2025 can be linked back to 1921 and is part of a series of documents called the Mandate for Leadership. The idea started with Warren G. Harding, who wanted to “omit unnecessary interference of government with business,”
The Bad History of Project 2025 and Why It Matters
April 10, 2025
The Little Hawk sports podcasting team.
LH SPORTS POD: Spring Sports Officially Under Way
April 4, 2025
Members of Children of the Corn 167 finished 2nd in Iowa and are ranked 209th in the world.
Children of the Corn 167 Robotics Team Qualifies for World Championship
April 4, 2025
The student news site of Iowa City High School

The Little Hawk
Basta
MARCOS GRILLED CHEESE
The student news site of Iowa City High School

The Little Hawk
Tai Caputo

Tai Caputo, Executive Editor and Feature Co-Editor

Tai has attended public schools in three different countries. She enjoys eating spicy foods.

All content by Tai Caputo
Tips and Tricks to Do Well on SAT Math

Tips and Tricks to Do Well on SAT Math

Tai Caputo, Executive Editor and Feature Co-Editor
April 4, 2025
Mary Peterson's work involves supporting students both academically and emotionally.

Q&A With School Counselor Mary Peterson

Tai Caputo, Executive Editor and Feature Co-Editor
March 27, 2025
Every year, the Iowa Department of Education Performance Profiles rate schools based on how well they meet a set of standards. But in 2024, the standards changed. City High was “Commendable” in 2023, but went down two levels to “Needs Improvement” in November of 2024. Nevertheless, it is still ranked within the top 10 in the state, according to the U.S. News and World Report.

Targeted: New Evaluation System Drops All ICCSD High Schools’ Ratings

Tai Caputo and Lily Rantanen
February 28, 2025
Photo courtesy of Gideon Levine

[Video] PERFORMER PROFILE: Gideon Levine ’26

Tai Caputo, Executive Editor and Feature Co-Editor
January 15, 2025
Photo courtesy of Reyna Roach

Q&A With Reyna Roach

Tai Caputo, Executive Editor and Feature Co-Editor
January 6, 2025
Never Again

Never Again

Tai Caputo, Executive Editor and Feature Co-Editor
December 16, 2024
Caelyn Blair '28 chats with a friend

City High Students and Staff React to 2024 Election Results

Tai Caputo, Executive Editor and Feature Co-Editor
November 7, 2024
In 2020, the race in Iowa was very close. This year, young people will make a difference.

Vote Because the Rest of Us Cannot

Tai Caputo, Executive Editor and Feature Co-Editor
October 16, 2024
Dr. Anny-Dominique Curtius presents important concepts from "Je suis une maudite sauvagesse / Eukuan nin matshimanitu innushkueu" ("I Am a Damn Savage"), a bilingual French-Inuit book, for her seminar class Quebec Literature. Dr. Curtius is a Professor of Francophone Studies and the Director of Graduate Studies for French and Francophone World Studies at the University of Iowa. She has a PhD in Comparative Literature from the University of Montreal.

Q&A With Dr. Anny-Dominique Curtius

Tai Caputo, Executive Editor and Feature Co-Editor
October 10, 2024
Kaden Huntley '25 prepares to attend "Stars, Galaxies, and the Universe" from his regular front-row seat in Van Allen Hall, a lecture hall at the University of Iowa. Huntley's passion for outer space has allowed him to excel in the course, which he takes through the Post-Secondary Enrollment Option Program. Huntley believes that this experience will prepare him for next year and the continuation of his college studies.

Attending College, While Still in High School

Tai Caputo, Executive Editor and Feature Co-Editor
October 10, 2024
NSPA newspaper page design finalist by Rosangel Flores-Rubio and Tai Caputo.

[Photo] The Little Hawk Newspaper Named Pacemaker Finalist and Three Journalists Receive Story of the Year Awards

Lily Rantanen, Opinion Co-Editor
September 27, 2024
Advisory used to consist of 20 minutes every afternoon when all students could choose to get extra help from teachers, retake tests, do homework, or participate in clubs. Now, each teacher sets aside 20 minutes per week for an Advisory specific to the class. The hope for the new system is to make it easier for students to get help because the support is more teacher-initiated.

City Ends Official Advisory Time

Tai Caputo, Executive Editor and Feature Co-Editor
September 11, 2024
Carmen Maria Machado is the award-winning author of three books, including the bestselling memoir In the Dream House, the graphic novel The Low, Low Woods, and the collection Her Body and Other Parties, which was named by The New York Times as one of fifteen titles in “The New Vanguard,” a list of “remarkable books by women that are shaping the way we read and write fiction in the 21st Century.” Machado lives in Philadelphia and in Iowa City, where she spoke to The Little Hawk. Photo courtesy of Carmen Maria Machado

Q&A With Carmen Maria Machado

Tai Caputo, Executive Editor and Feature Co-Editor
September 9, 2024
STAFF EDITORIAL: Restricting I.V.F. Harms Families

STAFF EDITORIAL: Restricting I.V.F. Harms Families

Tai Caputo and Isabella Young
May 13, 2024
In 6th grade, Sebastian Sauder '24 was the first member of his family to acquire a smartphone. Now, as a senior, his phone has been fully integrated into his life in ways that are sometimes disruptive. Sauder struggles to get adequate sleep and says that, "I’m kind of addicted to my phone, but I’m self-aware about it."

A Look Into Sleep Deprivation

Tai Caputo, Feature and Opinion Co-Editor
May 13, 2024
Brad Kelly became the ICCSD Restorative Justice Coordinator in 2021. Kelly describes his job as requiring him to be “a person who is charged with creating spaces for community when community doesn’t want to be in community." He believes it is essential to create a strong and respectful community in order to prevent many issues from arising.

“Look Past the Hurt”

Tai Caputo, Feature and Opinion Co-Editor
May 10, 2024
James Patterson holds the Guinness Book of World Record for the most New York Times bestselling titles, with over 260. Photo courtesy of James Patterson

Q&A With World’s Bestselling Author James Patterson

Tai Caputo, Feature and Opinion Co-Editor
March 8, 2024

[Video] PERFORMER PROFILE: Tai Caputo

Martha Willard, Reporter
February 27, 2024
STAFF EDITORIAL: What More Will It Take?

STAFF EDITORIAL: What More Will It Take?

Tai Caputo and Isabella Young
February 14, 2024
Esther Puderbaugh '25 was one of only nine classical sopranos from the United States selected to receive the National YoungArts Award

PERFORMER PROFILE: Esther Puderbaugh

Tai Caputo, Opinion Co-Editor
February 5, 2024
Librarian Jenahlee Chamberlain returns books to City High shelves after injunction on book bans. Chamberlain expressed hope that Senate File 496 will remain permanently blocked in future court cases, saying, “I think I can speak for all the librarians in this district, and probably most of them in Iowa, that none of us agree with [Senate File 496]."

Students and Teachers React to Injunction Against Book Ban Law

Tai Caputo, Opinion Co-Editor
January 26, 2024
STAFF EDITORIAL: Book Bans Infringe Upon Students' Rights

STAFF EDITORIAL: Book Bans Infringe Upon Students’ Rights

Tai Caputo, Opinion Co-Editor
December 15, 2023
Brad Kelly is leading a five-year plan to incorporate restorative practices into every school, reworking how students are disciplined, and how they connect. Kelly has worked with several corporations and nonprofits with the singular goal of addressing people’s differences and rebuilding the community within whatever group he was serving at the time.

Students Navigate College Admissions After Affirmative Action’s End

Tai Caputo, Opinion Co-Editor
December 11, 2023
Pulitzer Prizewinning author Jane Smiley is on the list of banned authors in Iowa high schools. Photo courtesy of Smiley

Q&A With Pulitzer Prizewinning Banned Author Jane Smiley

Tai Caputo, Opinion Co-Editor
December 6, 2023
Photo Courtesy of Amy Kurzweil

Q&A With New Yorker Cartoonist Amy Kurzweil

Tai Caputo, Opinion Co-Editor
November 27, 2023
Art by Amy Kurzweil

LH Book Review: Artificial

Tai Caputo, Opinion Co-Editor
November 20, 2023
Photo courtesy of Megan Stucky-Swanson

Q&A With Megan Stucky-Swanson

Tai Caputo, Opinion Co-Editor
October 26, 2023
Sahleh Al-Herz '25 describes a complex concept to students in Math Club, which meets on Thursday mornings in Room 1212 and draws math enthusiasts from all grade levels. The club was originally founded in 1997 and is currently sponsored by math teacher Stephanie McLaughlin.

Math Club Seeks Challenges Beyond School Math

Tai Caputo, Opinion Co-Editor
September 27, 2023
Q&A With Principal Bacon

Q&A With Principal Bacon

Tai Caputo, Opinion Co-Editor
September 21, 2023
Goals Should Be Impossible

Goals Should Be Impossible

Tai Caputo, Opinion Co-Editor
September 7, 2023
Empty spaces haunt the bookshelves in my English classroom.

Haunted Bookshelf

Tai Caputo, Opinion Co-Editor and Website Copy Editor
June 6, 2023
Kaden Huntley '25 and other members of Astronomy Club work together to design their solar system scale model.

New Astronomy Club to Design Solar System Scale Model

Tai Caputo, Opinion Co-Editor
May 26, 2023
Several Iowa bills have been passed in recent months banning books with explicit sexual content, racial themes, and LGBTQ+ characters.

STAFF EDITORIAL: Book Banning Is Bad for Education

Tai Caputo, Opinion Co-Editor
May 19, 2023
Judith Dickson and Esther Oyunge ‘25. Dickson has led her students through more than a thousand years of world history over the past eight months.

AP Testing Season Underway

Tai Caputo, Opinion Co-Editor
May 4, 2023
Mrs. Borger-Germann Goes Above and Beyond

Mrs. Borger-Germann Goes Above and Beyond

Tai Caputo, Opinion Co-Editor
May 3, 2023
Zabner signing the oath of office. Photo courtesy of Adam Zabner.

Q&A with Adam Zabner

Tai Caputo, Opinion Co-Editor
April 17, 2023
Symphony Orchestra was all smiles after the finale to the concert: a medley of tunes from Phantom of the Opera

City High Orchestra Performs 42nd Annual Dessert Concert

Tai Caputo, Opinion Co-Editor
April 4, 2023
Sauder performs at a concerto competition

City Cellist Wins Two Local Competitions

Tai Caputo, Reporter
February 7, 2023
City Alumni and state representative Adam Zabner poses with Matisse Arnone '23 and Lulu Roarick '24 after protesting the voucher bill.

Voucher Bill Passed with Protests and Criticism from City Students and Staff

Tai Caputo, Reporter
January 25, 2023
STAFF EDITORIAL: Why Elon Musk’s Twitter Won’t Work

STAFF EDITORIAL: Why Elon Musk’s Twitter Won’t Work

Isaac Bullwinkle and Tai Caputo
December 21, 2022
Orchestra members Abigail Sigafoose '26, Sebastian Sauder '24, Esther Puderbaugh '25, Marina Escandell-Tapias '24, Greta Stanier '23, Adam Zeithamel '23, Thomas Shey '24, Tai Caputo '25, Lucy Charis-Carlson '24, Kalea Seaton '24, Isaac Bullwinkle '23, Leo Burchett '24, Henry Smith '24, Matisse Arnone '23, Monique Schnoebelen '23, and Ms. Stucky-Swanson at All-State

Students Perform at All-State

Tai Caputo, Reporter
December 2, 2022
Jill Humston, a science teacher at City High, is adapting to the new grading policies by focusing on learning standards.

New ICCSD Grading System Pushes for Equity

Tai Caputo, Reporter
October 28, 2022
Zeithamel spent part of his summer at the prestigious Interlochen Arts Camp

City High Student Earned Prestigious Interlochen Orchestra Scholarship

Tai Caputo, Reporter
October 28, 2022
Liv Leman '25 poses next to the list of accepted bass clarinets

30 City High Students Accepted Into All-State Ensembles

Tai Caputo and Esther Puderbaugh
October 25, 2022
Sylvia Plank '25 and Lucas Ralston '24 attended the Coe College workshop

Orchestra Students Attend Coe College All-State Workshop

Tai Caputo, Reporter
September 29, 2022
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