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The Student News Site of Altoona Area High School

Mountain Echo

Altoona Area High School
1404 Sixth Avenue
Altoona, PA 16602
  • May 16Breakfast 05/16/25 - French Toast Sticks
  • May 16Lunch 05/16/25 - Toasted Texas Triple Cheese Sandwich
  • May 16Announcements for 05/16/25
  • May 15Breakfast 05/15/25 - Egg and Cheese Croissant
  • May 15Lunch 05/15/25 - Walking Tacos
  • May 15Announcements for 05/15/25
  • May 14Breakfast 05/14/25 - Western Scramble
The Student News Site of Altoona Area High School

Mountain Echo

The Student News Site of Altoona Area High School

Mountain Echo

Altoona pride. Juniors and seniors will have the opportunity to participate in 'Toona Tune Up on May 27. Participants will clean up spaces around Altoona.
‘Toona Tune Up to take place under new leadership
Melissa Krainer, Reporter • May 16, 2025

On Tuesday, May 27, 39 teachers and between 390 and 585 students will participate in ‘Toona Tune Up, an annual effort to clean up Altoona by...

Almost there. Seniors will receive a completion certificate after they finish their Everfi Program.
Senior homerooms complete Everfi Program
Rylie Keagy, Reporter • May 15, 2025

This school year, homerooms incorporated a seminar per grade through the Leader in Me program. Specifically, senior homerooms are to complete...

Theme day. Teachers pose taking part in the "Drink Out of Anything Besides a Mug Day". Kline encouraged all teachers to take part in the themes during this week with her.
Teachers take part in underground theme week
Charlie Kephart, Editor in Chief • May 9, 2025

During the week of April 22, faculty and staff at the high school participated in an underground theme week. Social studies teacher Carolyn Kline...

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QUICK NEWS

Chemistry classes participate in the yearly Coke and Mentos lab in the parking lot behind the field house.
Chem classes participate in traditional end of year labs
Cevin Dively, Reporter • May 15, 2025

Chemistry teacher Christine Falger holds certain labs at the end of every school year. These labs include the reaction stoichiometry lab (parts one and two), saponification...

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Sophmore Kevin Ortiz stands with securtiy gaurd and greeter Fred Martynuska during the moring security checks.
Fred Martynuska returns to security position
Adrielle McNeal and Mattie Baker May 16, 2025

Fred Martynuska works as a security guard for the high school, and he has no plans of stopping any time...

Robotics engineers. Seniors Evan Esper and James Evans work on their robot at the SEAL competition. 
(Courtesy of Jesse Frailey)
Advanced Robotics class competes in robotics challenge
Lincoln Frank, Associate Editor • May 16, 2025

On May 12, Advanced Robotics classes went on a trip to compete in the Sea, Air and Land Challenge, a...

PJAS participants at Escape Altoona.
PJAS wraps up year
Gracie Gioiosa, Reporter • May 15, 2025

Even though the year is nearly over, The Pennsylvania Junior Academy of Science Club (PJAS) is continuing...

Mountain lions. At the end of this school year, both K. Detwiler and L. Detwiler are retiring. Both have taught music for over 30 years. "[Retirement] was a decision my husband and I made together," K. Detwiler said. "This is 35 years for me, and that's kind of when retirement age comes with teachers. Both of my children this past summer have moved out of Altoona. That was a big factor in it as well. We want to be able to go and visit. We are a very tight family, and we just haven't been able to see them. We're deciding it's time to put them first. They have sat second for a long time because of these jobs we have." [From left to right: L. Detwiler, K. Detwiler] (Photo contributed by Kelly Detwiler)
Stop to smell the roses (and listen to the music)
Melissa Krainer, Reporter • May 9, 2025

Jazz. Orchestra. Music. Home. For Kelly and Larry Detwiler, the AAHS music department has encompassed...

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Athletes participate in Mountain Lion Classic Track and Field Meet
Rylan Cagle and Noah DiVentura May 9, 2025

Smile! The Colledges pose for a selfie. The photo was taken at the boys' district match.
Serving together: The mother and son coaching duo
Emma Hovan, Reporter • May 8, 2025

Before Jacob Colledge could grip a racquet, he was clutching his mother’s finger. Now he is gripping clipboards and calling lineups with his...

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Mountain Echo Voices – Opinion/Editorial

Welcome to the Opinion Section of the Mountain Echo.  These opinions do not represent the opinions of the school or school district but those of the students.

Buffalo chicken dip reigns supreme as ultimate appetizer
Alannah Heyward, Guest Reporter • May 19, 2025

When it comes to appetizers, few dishes have earned the universal acclaim and versatility of buffalo chicken dip. Whether it's served at tailgates, game nights, family gatherings...

Amazon's Kindle e-book app is seen on an iPhone in an illustration taken April 11, 2023. REUTERS/Chris Helgren/Illustration
Tuesdays with Morrie: heartfelt tale teaches love
Orchid Ismail, Guest Reporter • May 16, 2025

‘’Tuesdays with Morrie’’ is a book that teaches one how to never take advantage of anything. It teaches people how to love and not hold anything against anyone. The...

Try something new: listen to We Stitch These Wounds
Try something new: listen to We Stitch These Wounds
Amina Lee, Guest Reporter • May 14, 2025

Black Veil Brides is a common name in the metalcore community and has been a prominent icon since their debut album called “We Stitch These Wounds.” From the soft, melancholic...

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Made in Canva.
April Book of the Month
Madison Aboud, Reporter • April 23, 2025

With spring finally here, it is the perfect time to go outside and get into a good book. I love reading during the spring, and have an exciting list of books I hope to get...

Editorial Cartoon
Editorial Cartoon
Mattie Baker, Associate Editor • March 28, 2025

A person pays using their cell phone with the instant electronic payment mode known as PIX, at a store in Rio de Janeiro, Brazil April 1, 2024. REUTERS/Pilar Olivares
Letter to the Editor: Cell Phones
Dante Diehl, Contributor • February 25, 2025

This is a letter on why kids should have phones on our person in school, and I will go through three...

Podcast Corner
Left out. Especially after people have begun to drift from a group they were close with, finding a new crowd can be difficult. Being open-minded to having new connections can easily combat this by assuring that people can make friends after a falling out.
High school experience hindered by lack of opportunity for interaction
Editorial Board March 28, 2025

Throughout the school year, many students find themselves grouped in with the same students almost all day. Not only this, but being around the...

Provided by Reese Hillard
What’s next?
Gracie Gioiosa, Reporter • May 2, 2025

Q: What will you be doing after high school? A:  I am planning on joining the carpenters union rather than attending college. Q: Why...

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Photo of the Week
Today's Weather


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Mountain Echo Pulse

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