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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
Charlie Kephart

Charlie Kephart, Editor in Chief

Hey! During my third year on staff, my senior year, I have taken on the role of being Editor in Chief for Mountain Echo. My sophomore and junior year, I served as associate editor. Outside of school I enjoy hanging out with my best friend, exercising, watching Netflix, photography and working as a lifeguard and teaching swim lessons at the YMCA. After high school I plan to pursue a medical path, with the intent of being a nurse practitioner. I’m looking forward to this school year and seeing what it brings our way!

All content by Charlie Kephart
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
Senior Week. The Senior Week logo displayed. This logo will be seen on the t-shirts available for purchase. (Courtesy of Wanda Vanish)

Fifth annual Senior Week to take place

Charlie Kephart, Editor in Chief
April 28, 2025
Proud. Assistant principal Erik Dambeck poses with a poster in his office. This poster details his journey with shoes and how they contribute to his personality.

Assistant principal takes pride in shoe collection

Charlie Kephart, Editor in Chief
April 28, 2025
Friendship. Devlin Miller and Julius Deffner pose for a picture together in Washington DC. The two have traveled to Canada and Washington DC during Deffner's time here. (Courtesy of Devlin Miller)

From Germany to America: exchange students spend three weeks in Altoona

Charlie Kephart, Editor in Chief
April 17, 2025
Hard at work. A student works on a project during his class time at the GACTC. Students from the high school have the opportunity to attend the GACTC to explore their interests outside of the high school setting. (Photo Courtesy of Adrian Pacifico)

GACTC holds job interviews for seniors

Charlie Kephart, Editor in Chief
March 28, 2025
A student displays her Alani energy drink in class.

[Photo] Alani versus Celsius: the better energy drink

Makayla Garner and Payton Gibson
March 28, 2025
Posters hang around the school, displaying the Rotary Career Fair information. Students must register by April 1 if they wish to attend.

Rotary Career Fair set for April 24

Charlie Kephart, Editor in Chief
March 11, 2025
Friday night in Altoona

Friday night in Altoona

Andie Kephart and Charlie Kephart
March 10, 2025
Huddle up. The team huddles together during a time-out. Although the girls were down in the first half, they came back in the second half and won the game.

Hype up. Basketball players are announced at the start of the game. The starters were announced and cheered for from both teams.

Block. Junior Samantha Harpster blocks a player from the opposing team. The team will play their next round of state playoffs at Mechanicsburg.

Performing. Senior Randy Grove plays the trumpet during the concert. Grove has been participating in PMEA for several years.

Attentive audience. The audience falls silent during a song. Regional Band performed several songs on March 7.

[Photo] Musicians make it to All-States

April 10, 2025
Drama. Students perform a scene during "Beauty and the Beast". The musical took place on March 7 and was available to students, parents and the community to watch.

Surprise. A student performs during the song "Be Our Guest". The spring musical for the high school will be "The Little Mermaid", taking place on April 3, 4 and 5.

Silverware. The forks and knives line up during a song for a kick line. Several teacher cameos were made during the event.

Direction. The band is directed through their songs. Students from several different schools come together under one director and practice for several days leading up to the concert.

From left to right: sophomore Raylin Eyer. junior Zae Moore, senior Lanie Wilt, senior Melana Eyer.

The road to States: Winter athletes advance

Charlie Kephart, Editor in Chief
March 5, 2025
Chorus. The PMEA District Six Chorus poses for a picture. Many students attended this event from several different schools. (Courtesy of Greg Wenzel)

Nine students advance to PMEA regions

Charlie Kephart, Editor in Chief
February 28, 2025
Smiles. Senior Emma Lunglhofer talks with students following their performance. Many students from the high school performed with the elementary.

Spring Spectacular concert

Charlie Kephart, Editor in Chief
February 28, 2025
Success. Students pose at Saint Francis University after their regional competition. Several students placed and were recognized with cash prizes and certificates. (Courtesy of David Borst)

Pennsylvania Junior Academy of Science celebrates region success

Charlie Kephart, Editor in Chief
February 13, 2025
Freshman Andie Kephart swims backstroke during a meet. Kephart will be participating in districts this year. (Courtesy of Lily Stahlman)

Swim team to compete at districts

Charlie Kephart, Editor in Chief
February 11, 2025
Senior Branson Adams performs the long jump at an indoor track meet. Indoor track season will continue through January. (Courtesy of Lilly Stahlman)

Indoor track helps athletes stay in shape during off-season

Charlie Kephart, Editor in Chief
January 28, 2025
Freshman Taylor Lear warms up on the beam. This was the third event to take place during the meet.

Gymnastics competes against St. Mary’s

Charlie Kephart, Editor in Chief
January 27, 2025
Bocce ball. Senior Brian Knott waits for his turn in the game. The team will compete in games throughout the rest of the month. (Courtesy of Elizabeth Swope)

Bocce team powers through season

Charlie Kephart, Editor in Chief
January 21, 2025
Talking business. Freshman Emma Hovan practices her FBLA presentation. Hovan practiced her sales presentation for products from Bath and Body Works.

[Photo] FBLA to compete at Regionals

Lincoln Frank, Associate Editor
January 9, 2025
Celebration. Connor Smith points to his family in the stands after winning the frame. The rest of the Altoona Maroon team supported Smith after he won the round for them at last year's tournament.

Annual bocce tournament to take place

Charlie Kephart, Editor in Chief
January 3, 2025
McDonald's. The McDonald's Mangione was caught at sits at 407 E Plank Road. Mangione's ordeal brought national attention to the city.

UnitedHealthcare CEO shooter disrupts Altoona

Charlie Kephart, Editor in Chief
December 20, 2024
The GACTC tours will be offered to freshman on Dec. 13 and Dec. 15. They will tour the programs offered there.

[Photo] GACTC offers tours for students

Levi Butler, Contributor
December 11, 2024
Cagle contributes to newspaper staff

Cagle contributes to newspaper staff

Charlie Kephart, Editor in Chief
December 6, 2024
Martyak shares passions for writing

Martyak shares passions for writing

Charlie Kephart, Editor in Chief
December 6, 2024
Gioiosa contributes to newspaper

Gioiosa contributes to newspaper

Charlie Kephart, Editor in Chief
December 6, 2024
Availability. Feminine hygiene products are readily available in the nurse's offices and guidance offices. They are also available in Rachel's Closet.

School district given feminine hygiene products grant

Charlie Kephart, Editor in Chief
December 6, 2024
Tackle. Players from Stuffin' Stompers play in the Turkey Bowl morning games. The preliminary games were held in the morning to determine who would move onto the finals.

Turkey Bowl 2024

Charlie Kephart and Andie Kephart
December 5, 2024
Hard at work. Poultry in Motion junior player Adelyn Himmelwright goes to grab senior Mya Mielnik's flag during the semi-finals. Poultry in Motion took home the championship title for the 2024 Turkey Bowl.

Ready to run: 2024 Turkey Bowl takes place

Charlie Kephart, Mattie Baker, Emmalee Martyak, Madison Aboud, Andie Kephart, and Emma Hovan
November 26, 2024
Running to victory. Junior Collin Etters runs a play. Etters played on The Leftovers.

Focused. Junior Joshua Wolfe prepares to throw the ball to a teammate. Wolfe played for The Leftovers.

Getting ready. Junior Camille Krug holds the ball in place, waiting for her teammate to kick it. Krug played for The Leftovers, composed of mostly juniors.

Pass the ball. Junior Kody Webster prepares to pass the ball to his teammate. Webster played for Cranberry Crushers.

Stay focused. Senior CJ Romanowicz prepares to make a play. Romanowicz played for Stuffin' Stompers, alongside his friends.

What to do next? Senior Nick Boslet decides how to continue the play. Boslet played for Feastin' Flock.

Frank contributes to newspaper staff

Frank contributes to newspaper staff

Charlie Kephart, Editor in Chief
November 26, 2024
Swope adds to yearbook staff

Swope adds to yearbook staff

Charlie Kephart, Editor in Chief
November 26, 2024
McNeal expresses passions for publications

McNeal expresses passions for publications

Charlie Kephart, Editor in Chief
November 23, 2024
Proud moment. Junior Rylee Bush displays her award. The Presidential Lifetime Achievement award is given once a recipient accumulates 4000 hours of devoted time to their community. (Courtesy of Jackie Russo)

Rylee Bush awarded Presidential Lifetime Achievement award

Charlie Kephart, Editor in Chief
November 18, 2024
And the Winner Is. Stephanie McAleer's door won the students a free breakfast. (Courtesy of Carolyn Kline)

McAleer wins Halloween door contest

Charlie Kephart, Editor in Chief
November 4, 2024
Kennedy's Cabinet remains shocked when their ball missed the opponent's castle. The team played several rounds of games.

Activities Night to be held in fieldhouse

Charlie Kephart, Editor in Chief
November 1, 2024
Students can email McCarter for more information on ski club. Students must fill out paperwork.

McCarter’s ski club open to all

Charlie Kephart, Editor in Chief
October 31, 2024
Students gather around the memorial. Flowers, flameless candles, stuffed animals and other items were placed around her senior poster in honor.

Girls’ soccer takes home win in playoff game

Charlie Kephart, Editor in Chief
October 31, 2024
Senior Ava Mika works on creating origami doves during her art class. Any student is welcome to partake.

Art students create doves to honor students

Charlie Kephart, Editor in Chief
October 31, 2024
Majorette captain Jillian Pierannunzio poses with her escorts.

Senior Night 2024

Charlie Kephart, Editor in Chief
October 30, 2024
Provine School Photo

[Photo] Obituary: Keagahn Smith-Price

October 30, 2024
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