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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 16Breakfast 01/16/25 - Bacon, Egg and Cheese Croissant
  • January 16Lunch 01/16/25 - Taco Salad
  • January 16Announcements for 01/16/25
  • January 15Breakfast 01/15/25 - French Toast Griddle
  • January 15Lunch 01/15/25 - French Toast Sticks
  • January 15Announcements for 01/15/25
  • January 14Breakfast 01/14/25 - Egg and Cheese Bagel
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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Cyber education. Since its inception in 2009, the ACA has grown from five students to over 500 students enrolled in the secondary program. The Stevens faculty and staff expanded the program to give students an optimal non-traditional education experience. "We wanted to keep our students in our district and provide them the same education that they would get as if they were in the building," McGinnis said. "The kids that are in our program get an AAHS diploma and get to participate in all of the senior activities. I take great pride in getting an AAHS diploma. To me, that means something, and I try to invite our students to feel the same." (Courtesy of Julie Schreiber)
Alternative education program evolves
Melissa Krainer, Reporter • January 16, 2025

Unexpected. Eye-opening. Challenging. Rewarding.  Five minutes from Altoona Area High School, nestled between South Lloyd St. and East Crawford Avenue, lies a building...

Sharing their future. Sophmore Emma Blontz reads her notes to stay in sync with everyone else, while Kelly Detwiler conducts them.
Orchestra and concert chorus unite for elementary show
Adrielle McNeal, Reporter • January 13, 2025

On Dec. 20, the high school orchestra put on a performance for the elementary school students. Elementary...

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...

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...

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Bocce ball. Senior Brian Knott waits for his turn in the game. The team will compete in games throughout the rest of the month. (Courtesy of Elizabeth Swope)
Bocce team powers through season
Charlie Kephart, Editor in Chief • January 17, 2025

The bocce team began their season on Jan. 4 at the SFU Bocce Invitational. The team is split into Team White and Team Maroon, with Team White taking home a placement at the...

Focus in. Junior Parker White concentrates as he prepares to shoot.
Boys’ basketball takes loss against Harrisburg
Cevin Dively, Reporter • January 15, 2025

The boy’s basketball team played against Harrisburg on Friday, Jan. 10 in the field house.  Junior Roan Greaser was on and off the court.  “I'm...

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Mountain Echo Voices
Proof the good don't always die young. Flags around the country are flying at half mast to honor Carter.
Jimmy Carter’s legacy
Gracie Gioiosa, Reporter • January 17, 2025

Not to be dramatic, but it feels like we’re in the opening scenes of an apocalyptic movie. Trump is returning to office; imperialist Russia and Israel continue to wage wars;...

Hollywood horror. The main character of "Nosferatu" (2024), Ellen, walks toward a Gothic mansion in a trance. Directed by Robert Eggers, the film was an adaptation of Bram Stoker's "Dracula" and F. W. Murnau's "Nosferatu: A Symphony of Horror."
“Nosferatu”: a horror movie with a bite
Mattie Baker, Associate Editor • January 14, 2025

I recently saw Robert Eggers’ “Nosferatu” in theaters, and I had so many thoughts on it that I decided I would just have to write an article about it.  “Nosferatu”...

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...

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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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