During the week of May 22 through May 26, the Mountain Echo and Horseshoe yearbook staff will be sponsoring the third annual Senior Week. Tickets will be sold May 15 through 19 during all lunches for $10. There will be an additional cost of $15 for a t-shirt.

In May of 2021, Altoona alumni Ben Blackie, the Mountain Echo’s editor in chief in 2021, and Jocelyn Fetter, the Horseshoe yearbook’s editor in chief in 2021, banned together to pursue the idea of a “senior week” for the seniors who lost their final year of high school to the COVID-19 pandemic. 

“Jocelyn and I were trying to think of ways to cross promote the yearbook and newspaper. Earlier in the week, I saw a couple TikToks of some schools that had various senior celebrations, and that’s basically where the idea stemmed from. After the first day of talking to Jocelyn, we both became super invested in the idea and knew it had to happen. Overall I would say it took us two months, but we worked endlessly alongside associate editors from both news and yearbook, as well as general staff members and even the intro to pub class. What it all boiled down to was a way to make sure the Mountain Echo has enough money to continue for the next year, as well as celebrating the class of ‘21 after the hardships of COVID-19,” Blackie said. 

Since 2021, two of the events have changed. The 2023 Senior Week will begin with a Games Day on May 22. Seniors will gather in the gym for periods three and four to play a variety of games such as spike ball, corn hole, relay races, musical chairs among others.

“I think that the seniors would enjoy playing a child-like game before they finish their last year of high school. I think it would bring them a sense of their childhood before they go into the adult world,” sophomore Abigail Shearer said. 

On May 23, during periods one through three, seniors will be called down to the black box theater for yearbook signing day. 

“I am hoping for a very organized distribution, but I am also hoping for kids to be excited for what the yearbook has to bring to the table this year,” senior Danielle Bardalang said. 

Parking lot decorating will take place on May 24. Seniors will be told to report to the parking lot at 12 p.m. 

“I am so glad I was able to be on senior week staff. It has been a lot of planning, especially with taking on one of the larger days of activities, but I am very excited to see how much people enjoy what we have planned,” sophomore Addisen McDonald said. 

On May 25, following the senior walk, students will be directed out to the parking lot for the senior tailgate. Grill items will be provided for all participants, but seniors are encouraged to bring their own food as well and items to decorate their cars. 

“Tailgate has definitely been a difficult thing to plan, but since we have figured out everything we needed to figure out, I am super proud of what we have come up with so far,” sophomore Rylie Keagy said. 

The week of events will wrap up on May 26 with the senior sunrise. Sheetz will be providing breakfast for all participants, and the Mountain Echo will be handing out balloons for a balloon send off. 

“It has definitely been a challenge being on the committee, specifically being in charge of the sunrise. I think all of our hard work will pay off in the end,” sophomore Charlie Kephart said. 

Senior week candidates will also have the opportunity to purchase raffle tickets for a chance to win a variety of prizes from various local businesses. Tickets will also be awarded during games day for prizes.