Seniors celebrate with day long celebration

Tanner LaMark, Madison Aboud, Lucille O’Brien, Nevaeh Hegedus, and Aleeya Rowles • June 3, 2026 • 36 Views

Before sunrise, seniors gathered on the Roosevelt field to start their day long celebration. Many brought blankets and warm clothes since the morning was chilly.

On Friday, May 29, 175 seniors participated in senior day. Twenty six students were part of the committee that planned and ran the day. The senior sunrise kicked off the day at 5:30 a.m. with Committee Chair Madison Aboud, Assistant Superintendent Mark Harrington and Superintendent Brad Hatch speaking to the class.

“It was scary to address all of the seniors,” Aboud said. “I was nervous, but once I got talking, it was easier because they are the people I have known all my life.”

“I was on the senior day committee because I wanted to help the seniors have a great day,” sophomore Riley Winters said. “I’m actually on the yearbook staff, but I think it’s good to support other programs.”

“I helped make the tickets and sell them, I was here bright and early in the morning to park people and the night before I pumped up balloons with everyone else and helped pass out yearbooks,” committee member Gianna Huber said.

As students moved inside, yearbooks were distributed to seniors with time for autographs.

“It was really cool,” Horseshoe Editor Noah DiVentura said. “My favorite part was not hearing any complaints. That is the biggest compliment. It was cool seeing all my friends appreciate all the hard work me and my staff put in throughout the year.”

“I think getting signatures from everyone in the yearbooks was the best part because it was fun asking them and signing people’s yearbooks,” senior Gabriella Ross said.

Nineteen committee members assisted Aboud with organizing the day and working it.

“I was hoping that everybody would have a good time because although I didn’t really get to participate, it was still fun to see everybody really enjoy those last few memories of high school,” committee member Melissa Krainer said.

Moving to the Blackbox Common after that seniors decorated their caps and there were basket raffles.

For me, senior day was really fun,” senior Reyna Ospina Nunes said. “I got to see a lot of my teachers and hang out with my friends that I’m not going to see in a couple months.”

“Honestly, I think it’s just like one really big last hangout with everyone that we spent four years with until we all split off and go to college and trade schools,” senior Owen Tilson said.

The day ended with a tailgate where seniors decorate their cars, all hang out and have a cook out.

“I really liked senior day,” senior Sadi Steiner said. “I really liked that I got the chance to do a bunch of different activities. I was a little worried at first because it wasn’t that week, so I thought it wasn’t going to be as fun, but it was really fun. I really like the tailgate because it wasn’t that structured, so you got to really do whatever you wanted.”

The traditional week of activities was combined into one day this year. Instead of taking just a few periods a day for a week, the seniors spent an entire day together.

“This is the fifth year for the Mountain Echo to sponsor an end of the year senior activity,” Mountain Echo adviser Wanda Vanish said. “I admire the students who step up to do this as outreach to the school community. I am thankful to my husband for taking the time to support the effort as well as Mr. Baumgartner, Mr. Rupeka and Mrs. Hetrick.”

“It’s a lot of work but there is a payoff every time,” Huber said. “I think we did a lot better with it having one day. I plan to take charge of the committee next year and make sure there is a senior day next year.”

About the Contributors

Tanner LaMark, Reporter

My name is Tanner LaMark, and I am a junior. It’s my first year on the Mountain Echo staff, and I’m hoping to make it a great one. I enjoy music, video games, going for walks and hanging out with my friends. I also play the bass in the orchestra. After high school, I plan on going to college to become a vet.

Madison Aboud, Editor – in – Chief

My name is Madison Aboud, and this is my fourth year on the Mountain Echo staff. I am honored to serve as Editor in Chief for the 2025 – 2026 school year. In 2023, I did an Editorial Leadership training through CSPA (Columbia Scholastic Press Association). In July 2024, I served as a National Youth Correspondent for the Washington Journalism and Media Conference (WJMC) at George Mason University. When I’m not focused on the Mountain Echo, you can find me reading, spending time with friends and family or hanging out with my dogs. After I graduate, I plan to major in English and minor in Communications. My goal this year is to represent our student body accurately and fairly.

Lucille O’Brien, Reporter

My name is Lucille O’Brien, and I am a junior. This is my first year working on the Mountain Echo staff, and I am looking forward to being a helpful and reliable member for the 2025-26 school year. I am going to be a part of drama club this year as well. When I don’t need to focus on school, I usually sketch, play video games and practice piano. Once I graduate, I hope to go to college and obtain a master’s degree or doctorate in Paleontology. This year, I hope to be a respectable member of the Mountain Echo staff and to work my hardest to make this year a great one!

Nevaeh Hegedus, Reporter

My name is Nevaeh Hegedus, and I am a Sophomore. This is my first year on the Mountain Echo Staff. Other than being on the Mountain Echo Staff, I am in Chorus. Some of my personal interests are Call of Duty, The Walking Dead (show and game), The Last Of Us and Arcane. When I graduate, I plan to be a Criminal Physiologist. My goals for the 2025-26 year are to have good grades and represent my school well.

Aleeya Rowles, Reporter

My name is Aleeya Rowles, and it’s my first year on the Mountain Echo staff. As a Sophomore, I am also involved in yearbook, Sophomore Executive Committee, the Altoona softball team and the Maniacs. I spend most of my time playing softball, painting and hanging out with friends. I have always enjoyed writing stories, so I’m excited to write about the events and big stories going on here at school.

Adrielle McNeal, Reporter

My name is Adrielle McNeal, and this is my second year as a Mountain Echo staff member. I took Intro to Pub my freshman year, and fell in love with the class. Along with Mountain Echo, I am an editor for the Horseshoe yearbook. Balancing both classes can be a lot, but it’s worth it. I also participate in the drama club and Black Student Union.