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The Student News Site of Altoona Area High School

Mountain Echo

Online newspaper of Altoona Area High School in Altoona, Pennsylvania
  • January 9Lunch- Tacos
  • January 9Announcements for 01/09/25
  • January 8Breakfast 01/08/25 - Cheese Omelette
  • January 8Lunch 01/08/25 - Mashed Potato Bowl
  • January 8Announcements for 01/08/25
  • January 7Breakfast 01/07/25 - Egg and Cheese Bagel
  • January 7Lunch 01/07/25 - Pasta with Meat Sauce
The Student News Site of Altoona Area High School

Mountain Echo

The Student News Site of Altoona Area High School

Mountain Echo

Continuing on. "Breaking Band" production will continue on even with a cast member going cyber. (Made with Canva.)
“Breaking Band” continues production after cast member goes cyber
Madison Aboud, Associate Editor • January 6, 2025

During senior Jadyn Beeny’s junior year, Beeny wanted to be on the morning announcements.  “[The announcements] were honestly such a...

McDonald's. The McDonald's Mangione was caught at sits at 407 E Plank Road. Mangione's ordeal brought national attention to the city.
UnitedHealthcare CEO shooter disrupts Altoona
Charlie Kephart, Editor in Chief • December 20, 2024

On Dec. 6, an unnamed suspect shot and killed UnitedHealthcare CEO Brian Thompson in New York City at 6:44 a.m.. He fled to Central Park, eventually...

Working hard or hardly working. Senior Cadence Heidler and Junior Archer Makarikas read over their scripts for the Thespian December showcase. Ben Cossitor's Advanced and Studio Theater class have been working for the past five weeks to get their performances ready for an audience. (Courtesy of Lilly Stahlman.)
Thespians prepare for December showcase
Haven Femea, Reporter • December 19, 2024

On Dec. 20, Ben Cossitor’s Advanced and Studio Theater class will be putting on an ensemble of Christmas shows. The shows will be: “It’s...

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Reminders. Officer Gregory McNeal stands under origami paper birds hung on the second floor banister. Art students originally started them to honor the two students who passed away.
Officers discuss dangerous habits with driving
Mack Callan, Reporter • December 18, 2024

Officers Gregory McNeal and Sean Riley have visited two of Joel Gilbert’s drivers’ education classes within the last three weeks. Within those weeks, they have visited...

Playing the Blues. The Seth Goheen Trio performed at Levity Brewing Co. on Dec. 6. The performance was their first paid gig. (Courtesy of Seth Goheen.)
Young and jazzy
Madison Aboud, Associate Editor • December 17, 2024

The Seth Goheen Trio began as just an idea.  “Isaac [Hillard] and I pondered the idea for a while,”...

Doors or wheels. Juniors Noah DiVentura and Rylan Cagle ask students if there are more doors or wheels.
Doors or wheels?
Noah DiVentura, Reporter • December 11, 2024

Strike. The Bowling Club practices every Monday from 3:00 p.m. to 5:00 p.m., allowing members to improve in a constructive environment. The club plans to evolve into an official high school sport.
(Courtesy of Christopher Strawmier)
Bowling club rolls in the right direction
Lincoln Frank, Associate Editor • December 10, 2024

The year of 2024 has seen a new edition to the extracurriculars of Altoona Area High School: The Bowling...

A Helping Hand. Jonah Walters opens a bag of mulch to pour over the freshly laid tulip bulbs. Walters job was to place the bulbs and lay mulch.
Biology class awarded grant to plant tulips
Rylie Keagy, Reporter • December 9, 2024

The Altoona Area School District Foundation awarded a grant to Jessica Hogan and Eli Mencer’s biology...

Availability. Feminine hygiene products are readily available in the nurse's offices and guidance offices. They are also available in Rachel's Closet.
School district given feminine hygiene products grant
Charlie Kephart, Editor in Chief • December 6, 2024

On Oct. 21, the school board approved the Feminine Hygiene Products Grant Program. This funding gives...

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Braiden Weaver places sixth overall at nationals and heads into his regular season.
Pinning down success
Noah DiVentura, Reporter • January 8, 2025

Junior Braiden Weaver, who is also ranked third in the state, attended wrestling nationals, placing sixth overall, on April 5 to April 7, 2024. Weaver faced competitors from...

Lady Lions line up. Members of the team line up to begin their meet. This meet marked their third victory of the season.
Gymnastics team remains undefeated
Andie Kephart, Reporter • January 8, 2025

The gymnastics team has maintained a perfect record, leaving them undefeated since the beginning of the season. While they remain victorious,...

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Mountain Echo Voices
Juice Wrlds new album, "A Part Never Ends 2.0" cover art
Juice Wrld’s “The Party Never Ends 2.0” A Desperate Cash Grab
Rylan Cagle, Reporter • January 8, 2025

Juice Wrld, a popular hip-hop and trap artist of the 21st century, sadly passed away at the end of 2019. Fans were shocked, as his death was unexpected and his huge fanbase...

Costly castle! Cinderella's Castle, located in Magic Kingdom costs about $36.9 million. When it was built in 1970, it only costed $4.7 million.
The Best of Disney World: A Countdown of the Top 10 Rides
Emma Hovan, Reporter • January 6, 2025

After recently completing my 15th Disney trip over Christmas, I wanted to take the opportunity to rank my 10 favorite rides. Each time I visit the parks, I experience something...

Season's greetings. Movies "Frosty the Snowman", "National Lampoon's Christmas Vacation" and "Krampus", are among the many popular features of the holidays. "Frosty the Snowman" came out in 1969, "National Lampoon's Christmas Vacation" came out in 1989 and "Krampus" came out in 2015.
Last night’s movie [3]
Mattie Baker and Emmalee Martyak December 19, 2024

There is no shortage of holiday movies, no matter what genre or tropes a person prefers. In honor of this massive variation, we decided to try our hand at three entirely different--but...

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Christmas time is here. The end of the year is fast approaching and the pile of books is smaller. A glimpse into the past reading year. (made with Canva.)
December Book of the Month
Madison Aboud, Associate Editor • December 23, 2024

     

Mattie Baker
Editorial Cartoon
Mattie Baker, Associate Editor • November 25, 2024

Lamar Franklin hides his phone behind his Chromebook.  Chemistry teacher Teresa Rubine would never allow a cell phone in class according to school policy but allowed this photo.
Letter to the Editor: Phones
Kari Wombacher, Contributor • December 1, 2024
In the spotlight. Christmas is seemingly thee main focus of the "holiday season." Though many deny this, when the switch started to be made from "merry Christmas" to "happy holidays," many felt upset.
Disproportionate focus put on Christian holidays
Editorial Board December 20, 2024

With the holiday season underway, spotting holiday-themed merchandise or hearing holiday music when out becomes more and more inevitable. However,...

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