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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
What You Need To Know
  • April 23Lunch for 04/22/24 - No School!
  • April 23Breakfast for 04/24/24 - Breakfast Boat
  • April 22Lunch for 04/22/24 - Crispy Chicken Sandwich
  • April 22Breakfast for 04/23/24 - No School!
  • April 22Announcements for 04/22/24
  • April 15Lunch for 4/15/24 - Rodeo Burger & Candied Sweet Potatoes
  • April 15Announcements for 4/15/2024
The Student News Site of Altoona Area High School

Mountain Echo
The Student News Site of Altoona Area High School

Mountain Echo
Ben Blackie

Ben Blackie, Editor In Chief

Hi! I’m Ben Blackie and I’m a senior at AAHS. This year, I am the Editor in Chief of the Mountain Echo. I took on the role my junior year, and I’m excited to see what this year's staff and I can accomplish. My interests include photography and social media. I enjoy portrait and landscape photography. My favorite thing about portrait photography is being able to express emotion through the picture. My favorite part about photography is the editing process and being able to transform an image into something better. If you’re interested in seeing my work you can visit my website, https://www.benblackiephotography.com/, or my Instagram, @benblackiephotography. After high school, I hope to become a high school teacher and pursue photography as a side job. Besides being involved in news writing, I am also a part of the yearbook staff, student council and football. On offense, I play guard and on defense, I play defensive end. I recently finished the show 'Shameless' on Netflix. My favorite movie is 'Dark Shadows.' I enjoy all types of music, but my favorite genre is alternative rock/indie. I also enjoy creating playlists on Spotify to suit different moods or feelings I may be in. 

All content by Ben Blackie
Serve! Junior Becca Dull goes to pass the ball. Girls soccer is only one of the many sports that use Mansion Park.

Renovations scheduled for Mansion Park

Ben Blackie, Editor in Chief
June 4, 2021
Changes made for seniors last week

Changes made for seniors’ last week

Ben Blackie, Editor in chief
June 3, 2021
Harris shares answers to commonly asked Senior Celebration questions

Harris shares answers to commonly asked Senior Celebration questions

Ben Blackie, Editor In Chief
May 14, 2021
Senior Week 1 (1)-page-001

[Photo] First annual senior week planned for week of May 17-21

Jocelyn Fetter, Reporter
May 13, 2021
“Cancel Culture” needs to be cancelled

“Cancel Culture” needs to be cancelled

Ben Blackie, Editor In Chief
April 30, 2021
We got it! Seniors Abbie Starr and Ashley Steinbugl take a selfie while buying their water guns. Starr and Steinbugl lasted until the third round.

Splish, splash, they’re having a blast

Ben Blackie, Editor In Chief
April 16, 2021
How has your routine changed since returning to traditional school schedule?

How has your routine changed since returning to traditional school schedule?

Ben Blackie, Editor-In-Chief
April 12, 2021
Oh no. The fallen tree lays on senior Alex Thalers car. The drivers side of Thalers car received the most damage.

High winds result in ‘cartastrotree’

Ben Blackie, Editor In Chief
April 1, 2021
What is your advice to students struggling academically this school year?

What is your advice to students struggling academically this school year?

Ben Blackie, Editor-In-Chief
March 26, 2021
Say Cheese! Tim Boyles crouches to take a students picture. Boyles has been offering the opportunity to get free professional portraits taken for two years.

Strike a pose: Celebrity photographer Tim Boyles volunteers time to shoot senior portraits

Ben Blackie, Editor In Chief
March 19, 2021
Shiny and new. The Field House was recently renovated this past year. The Field House holds all home basketball games. swim, wrestling and gymnastics meets.

Senior athletes commit to college athletics

Ben Blackie, Editor In Chief
March 3, 2021
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[Photo] What’s your favorite childhood toy?

Sonia Yost
February 22, 2021
Hallways sit vacant but ready for students to return Feb. 16. Teachers returned to the building Feb. 8 in preparation for live instruction.

[Photo] Students to return to building Feb. 16

Destiny Montgomery and Cassidy Klock
February 11, 2021
Return to school. Students will return to the classroom on Feb. 16. The first day back will be hybrid group B Approximately 900 staff members district wide indicated that they would like to receive the vaccine, with 170 of those staff members being high school staff members,assistant superintendent Brad Hatch said.

School district plans for staff vaccination

Ben Blackie, Editor In Chief
February 12, 2021
Getting ready. Senior Chadric (Flarend) gets ready to pole vault during a 2020 winter meet. There will only be two meets this season.

[Photo] Indoor track team prepares for meets

Leiya Resig, Guest Writer
February 11, 2021
Best Netflix original series

Best Netflix original series

Ben Blackie, Editor In Chief
February 5, 2021
Teachers union to hold food drive

Teachers’ union to hold food drive

Ben Blackie, Editor in chief
February 2, 2021
Junior and senior students look ahead to the spring and a possiblity of prom.

Junior, senior class committee plans for prom

Ben Blackie, Editor In Chief
January 28, 2021
On Jan. 26, the school board held a special meeting to discuss the return of students. In a 7-2 vote, the board voted for elementary to return with hybrid model on Feb. 8. Secondary to return with hybrid model on Feb 16.

School board holds special meeting

Ben Blackie, Editor In Chief
January 27, 2021
Run! Senior Mallory Cree runs down the court during the Jan. 12 game. The girls won 56 to 11.

Athletes return to practices, games

Ben Blackie, Editor In Chief
January 22, 2021
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I simply love: Exploring

Ben Blackie, Editor In Chief
January 12, 2021
Perez learns more about his heritage

Perez learns more about his heritage

Ben Blackie, Editor in chief
January 8, 2021
Hit the gym! All sports were allowed to resume on Jan. 4. Athletes are required to maintain social distancing when possible and to wear face masks.

Senior athletes stay in shape during shut down

Ben Blackie, Reporter
January 8, 2021
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[Photo]

Welcome! 2020 graduate, Gianna Marasco leads a meeting. This year the president is Danielle Mueller.

Student council membership surges

Ben Blackie, Editor in Chief
December 18, 2020
Moving on to bigger things. Senior Benjamin Blackie will attend Penn State University after high school. Blackie plans on majoring in Early Childhood Education.

[Photo] “I’m in”

Sydney Wilfong, Reporter
December 18, 2020
Keri Harrington has been hired as the new assistant principal at the Altoona Area High School.

Harrington assumes new role as assistant principal

Ben Blackie, Editor In Chief
December 16, 2020
Students express feelings of virtual education

Students express feelings of virtual education

Ben Blackie, Editor In Chief
December 11, 2020
New camera policy introduced

New camera policy introduced

Ben Blackie, Editor In Chief
December 9, 2020
How do you feel about the school boards decision on being full virtual?

How do you feel about the school board’s decision on being full virtual?

Ben Blackie, Editor in Chief
December 3, 2020
Scavenger hunt Jocelyn Fetter and Layla Shelow pose with the lion statue as they take photos for a scavenger hunt competition. Fetters team won the friendly competition.

[Photo] Fetter expresses love for journalism

Olivia McMinn, Guest Reporter
November 18, 2020
Snip. Moss cuts someones hair during her CTC cosmetology class. Moss has been in enrolled at the GACTC for three years. THIS PHOTO WAS TAKEN DURING THE 2018-2019 SCHOOL YEAR.

GACTC remains hybrid since August 

Ben Blackie, Editor In Chief
November 18, 2020
Altoona plays against the other team with the upper hand. The girls remained undefeated this season.

[Photo] Girls’ soccer team remains undefeated throughout season, advances to state tournament

Amy Dean, Reporter
November 17, 2020
Mountain Lions! A lion head sits in a room of the the new B building. Teachers and staff have been moving all the supplies and decorations into the new building before in person school starts back up.

[Photo] Staff details orientation plans for students coming back

Myah Lear, Reporter
November 10, 2020
We did it! The football team poses for a picture with the D6 championship trophy. This was the first time in 18 years that the Mt. Lions were able to win the D6 game.

Football wins D6 championship

Ben Blackie, Editor In Chief
November 10, 2020
Shoot! Junior Becca Dull passes the ball to a teammate during the Oct. 2 game. The Mountain Lions competed against Dubois and won 4-0.

Girls’ soccer ranked #1 in state

Ben Blackie, Editor In Chief
October 27, 2020
Yay! Adriana Kessler, Alyssa Kovach, Lizzy Frank and Paige Vallei pose for a picture after the Oct. 2 game.

Covid restrictions don’t restrict school pride

Ben Blackie, Editor In Chief
October 9, 2020
Get ready! Number 23, Nick Petucci, get sets before the play starts. This year the Mountain Lions play Hollidaysburg at home.

Football gets chance to go 2-0 against rival team

Ben Blackie, Editor In Chief
October 2, 2020
Run! Austin Kravetz runs for the ball during a 2019 soccer game. Kravetz then scored a goal.

School district allows 33% capacity at sporting events

Ben Blackie, Editor In Chief
September 30, 2020
Colin Allmond blocks an Alderdics player. This year Altoona will not be playing Allderdice due to Covid-19.

Football prepares for first game despite Covid-19

Ben Blackie, Editor In Chief
September 24, 2020
We did it! A 2019 senior gives a speech to her graduating class. This year a virtual graduation will be played on June 5 and a live commencement is planned for July 25.

School makes plan for 2020 graduation

Ben Blackie, Reporter
May 21, 2020
How are you protecting yourself from Covid-19?

How are you protecting yourself from Covid-19?

Ben Blackie, Reporter
May 11, 2020
As the coronavirus quarantine continues, students struggle with loss of income and new working conditions.

Student workers deemed “essential”, “non-essential”

Ben Blackie, Reporter
April 27, 2020
On April 4, Dr. Charles Prijatelj posted this picture to Twitter updating the progress of the mask project for essential employees in the district.

School district collects masks for on-site employees

Ben Blackie, Reporter
April 14, 2020
Whats one thing you miss or enjoy about not being in school?

What’s one thing you miss or enjoy about not being in school?

Ben Blackie, Reporter
April 6, 2020
AASD closed two more weeks

AASD closed two more weeks

Ben Blackie, Reporter
March 23, 2020
Students create bracelets to memorialize Pfirshing

Students create bracelets to memorialize Pfirshing

Ben Blackie, Reporter
March 9, 2020
Winter sports wrap up

Winter sports wrap up

Ben Blackie and Kamika Helsel
February 21, 2020
This ACT session is free for students. Half of test takers will do it on their Chromebooks.

ACT to be held Feb. 8

Ben Blackie, Reporter
February 7, 2020
School board to decide major changes for 2020 year

School board to decide major changes for 2020 year

Ben Blackie, Reporter
February 5, 2020
Brooke Long, Maura Kiser, Dyamond Johnson and Darrian Berkheimer pose for a picture after breaking the school 4x2 record.

Girls’ 4×2 team sets new record

Ben Blackie, Reporter
January 16, 2020
Roar! The mascot looks on during a football game. The Mt. Lion helps cheer on the teams and pep of the student section. Too often that student section has empty seats that could be filled.

Student body lacks involvement in school, sports and activities 

Ben Blackie, Reporter
January 14, 2020
Solo! Luke Rososky performs his solo during the concert. Rososky was one of many soloist.

Gymnastics meet 12/9 and chorus concert 12/13

Ben Blackie, Reporter
January 13, 2020
Fall sports wrap up special edition

Fall sports wrap up special edition

Ben Blackie and Sonia Yost
January 3, 2020
Im Ready Senior Miranda Butterbaugh gets ready to jump the balance beam at the first gymnastics home meet. The gymnastics team participated in their first meet on Dec. 9.

[Photo] Winter sports teams look ahead for 2019-2020 season

McKenzie Quirin, Reporter
December 20, 2019
Go team! The team gets pumped up before they have to start competing. The team does this every meet.

Gymnasts win home opener

Ben Blackie, Reporter
December 13, 2019
Wow. Jada Quinn and Kassidy Klock look at the Livewire. Quinn heled Klock with her story.

Livewire and Mountain Echo November parties

Ben Blackie, Reporter
November 27, 2019
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Mountain Echo

The Student News Site of Altoona Area High School
1415 Sixth Avenue
Altoona, PA 16602
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Ben Blackie