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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 23Breakfast 05/23/25 - French Toast Sticks
  • May 23Lunch 05/23/25 - Cheesy Bread Sticks
  • May 23Announcements for 05/23/25
  • May 22Breakfast 05/22/25 - Egg and Cheese Croissant
  • May 22Lunch 05/22/25 - BBQ Pulled Pork Sandwich
  • May 22Announcements for 05/22/25
  • May 21Breakfast 05/21/25 - Breakfast on a Stick
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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Wrapping up. As the school year comes to a close, so will Martin's time at the AAHS. She has worked here as a teacher for 26 years.
Amy Martin to retire
Emmalee Martyak, Associate Editor • May 21, 2025

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...

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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.

Bottles of Vitamin Water display at a local Sheetz. Vitamin Water has more health benefits than the frequently consumed energy drinks. (Photo Courtesy of Charlie Kephart)
Vitamin water holds health benefits
Sarah Glenny, Guest Reporter • May 23, 2025

Today in America, there are many drinks. Right now the trending drinks are energy drinks. Many may be wondering why this is. It is because in life it can relate to almost...

"Good Omens: The Nice and Accurate Prophecies of Agnes Nutter, Witch" turns to a show
“Good Omens: The Nice and Accurate Prophecies of Agnes Nutter, Witch” turns to a show
Kelley Greiner, Guest Reporter • May 21, 2025

“Good Omens: The Nice and Accurate Prophecies of Agnes Nutter, Witch” written by Terry Pratchett and Neil Gaiman started as a book, and got turned into a show that's available...

Chicken is displayed in a fridge in a market in Sao Paulo, Brazil May 20, 2025. REUTERS/Jorge Silva
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...

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Beach read. "Saint X" may take place on a Caribbean island, but even the tropical atmosphere can't cover up the events that left the locals stricken. Written by Alexis Schaitkin, and published in 2020, "Saint X" was her debut novel
May Book of the Month
Mattie Baker, Associate Editor • May 23, 2025

A Caribbean vacation to a luxury resort should be the highlight of the year, and for sisters Claire and Alison it is, but for all the wrong reasons. When their family visits...

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
Sun down. As Senior Week comes to a close, we are led to supporting a Senior Sunset over the traditional Senior Sunrise.
Change of tradition needed in favor of Senior Sunset
Editorial board May 23, 2025

An annual tradition and part of Senior Week is the Senior Sunrise. However, the Mountain Echo feels that the tradition of the sunrise should...

Almost here. With summer break just on the horizon, some school-set faves are featured in this edition of Last Night's Movie.
Last Night’s Movie [8]
Emmalee Martyak, Associate Editor • May 22, 2025

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Photo of the Week
Today's Weather


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June 20
79°/ 53°
Moderate rain
June 21
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Patchy rain nearby
June 22
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Sunny
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