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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
  • December 20Breakfast 12/20/24 - French Toast
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The Student News Site of Altoona Area High School

Mountain Echo
The Student News Site of Altoona Area High School

Mountain Echo
All content by Editorial Board
In the spotlight. Christmas is seemingly thee main focus of the "holiday season." Though many deny this, when the switch started to be made from "merry Christmas" to "happy holidays," many felt upset.

Disproportionate focus put on Christian holidays

Editorial Board
December 20, 2024
Out of time. In recent years, teachers have been given more responsibilities that take away from their work time. This work time is essential, and being deprived of It largely contributes to the high turn over rate of Altoona teachers.

Teachers’ work time interrupted by unnecessary busy work

Editorial Board
November 25, 2024
Vice President Kamala Harris takes her official portrait Thursday, March 4, 2021, in the South Court Auditorium in the Eisenhower Executive Office Building at the White House. (Official White House Photo by Lawrence Jackson)

The 2024 election: A clear choice

Editorial Board, Reporter
October 14, 2024
Biggest loser competition benefits students, faculty

Biggest loser competition benefits students, faculty

Editorial Board
April 30, 2024
Made with Canva

Non-testing students benefit from asynchronous learning on Keystone days

Editorial Board
April 2, 2024
Drawn by Lila Benjamin and made with Canva

Adopt or Shop: Pet owners should adopt animals in need

Editorial Board
March 18, 2024
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Online restrictions limit learning experiences for secondary students

Editorial Board
January 31, 2024
Joel Gilbert teaches his seventh period driver's education class. Adam Watt offers behind-the-wheel experience for any students who have a license or permit and have a pass from Gilbert.

Schools should mandate driver’s education courses

Editorial Board
December 19, 2023
Athletic scholarships hold less value in academics

Athletic scholarships hold less value in academics

Editorial Board
November 29, 2023
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Revisions necessary for Freshman Seminar class

Editorial Board, Reporter
October 20, 2023
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Teens must uphold productivity during summer

Editorial Board
May 31, 2023
Made with Canva

Communication needs to be more efficient in school

Editorial Board
April 28, 2023
Lined Up Students line up by the opened bathrooms on the first floor of the B building during lunch. Policies require limited numbers of students in the restrooms.

New bathroom regulations are unjust and unnecessary

Editorial Board, Reporter
March 28, 2023
Openly faithful. Senior Danielle Bardelang shows off her faith based tattoo and bracelets. Although she will not force her faith on anyone, she is open about her faith.

Editorial: Schools need to be religiously neutral

Editorial Board, Reporter
March 1, 2023
Laid back and relaxed. A students lounges in the student commons area to complete homework. Some have debated on whether or not pajamas should be allowed at school.

Pajama pants are acceptable for student attire at school

Editorial Board, Reporter
January 31, 2023
Snowy Storm The Genius Hour website showcases the upcoming dates for Genius Hour days. On Dec. 21 the fourth day was cancelled due to a school cancellation day because of the weather.

Genius hour days should be scrapped

Editorial Board
January 5, 2023
Golden Smile Abigail Herncane smiles as she is being crowned as the Homecoming Queen. Herncane was announced as the Homecoming Queen on Sept. 30.

Homecoming isn’t popularity contest

Editorial Board
December 5, 2022
Local store 33 on Mac is a mac and cheese shop. The shop is local to Altoona.

People should support local businesses

Editorial Board
November 1, 2022
Working hard, Teachers Jamie Bergstein and Caitlin McGeary spend their prep period helping the school. They work hard and deserve an increase in salary.

Teachers deserve to be paid more

Editorial Board
May 31, 2022
To do. Students resort to making lists to keep up with the immense amounts of work. Many students express worries of staying up late to complete assignments.

Teachers should give less homework

Editorial Board
March 31, 2022
Being a donor is important. One person can save eight lives.

U.S. citizens should register as organ donors

Editorial Board
January 31, 2022
Rolling around Gym students play a game during gym class. They wore athletic attire during the game because it made it easier to play.

Gym clothing policy continues ideally; shouldn’t cause stress to students

Editorial Board
November 19, 2021
Lining up Students line up on Oct. 12 in the backpack line to be searched. This line was specifically designated for students with backpacks.

EDITORIAL: School should not enforce clear backpacks

Editorial Board
October 12, 2021
As of now, students are not permitted to have cell phones during the school day. This prevents communication during emergency situations.

EDITORIAL: School should allow student cell phone usage

Editorial Board
April 28, 2021
Six Dr. Seuss books such as "If I Ran the Zoo" and "On Beyond Zebra!" have been recently discontinued for publishing due to suggested racist illustrations within them. Mr. Potato Head company has also changed their name.

EDITORIAL: Childhood classics should not be cancelled

Editorial Board
March 29, 2021
Because of the hybrid schedule, classroom sizes have largely been decreased. The students work while wearing masks and following the proper safety guidelines.

EDITORIAL: District needs to communicate better with students, teachers

Editorial Board
February 25, 2021
Online schedule changes. To start the new year of online school, the school board has altered the virtual model. Before holiday break, online classes were fully virtual every day.

EDITORIAL: New online model has few benefits, students prefer previous schedule

Editorial Board
January 8, 2021
Following guidelines during the school day. During the school's hybrid schedule, students and teachers were required to wear masks and social distance as much as possible. In this history class, students can be seen following these mandatory guidelines. The number of students in classes are significantly less due to the hybrid model.

EDITORIAL: School needs to stay hybrid if students, teachers return as planned in February

Editorial Board
December 11, 2020
Let's vote. Former Vice President Joe Biden speaks during his kickoff rally for the beginning of his 2020 Presidential campaign. Alongside Biden during his campaign is his running mate, Senator Kamala Harris.

EDITORIAL: Joe Biden is best candidate for president

Editorial Board
November 2, 2020
Cameras on. While many teachers believe that students should have their cameras on during online classes, some disagree. Turning cameras on or off should be encouraged rather than a requirement for students.

EDITORIAL: Teachers should not enforce cameras during online classes

Editorial Board
October 9, 2020
As the Corona virus spreads, students need to be patient with their school administration. Students also need to stay indoors and practice social distancing.

EDITORIAL: Students need to remain patient during this time

Editorial Board
April 6, 2020
Mindfulness activities such as meditation, yoga and breathing have been proven to be beneficial for people's mental health. The school should implement more mindfulness activities for students to decrease stress levels.

EDITORIAL: School should offer more mindfulness activities

Editorial Board
March 6, 2020
Cheer for Altoona. On Sept. 20, 2019, the student section showed their school spirit by dressing up and cheering for the football team. Although many students and staff work hard to show their school spirit, attending after-school games and activities can become difficult for many.

EDITORIAL: Students shouldn’t be expected to have school spirit

Editorial Board
February 4, 2020
EDITORIAL: School district should implement virtual snow days

EDITORIAL: School district should implement virtual snow days

Editorial Board
December 6, 2019
Equipment necessary for construction is found in the halls daily.

EDITORIAL: Construction process requires patience, adaptation

Editorial Board
October 3, 2019
EDITORIAL: Graduation should be moved to June 8

EDITORIAL: Graduation should be moved to June 8

Editorial Board
April 24, 2019
EDITORIAL: Homecoming committee should consider new dance venue

EDITORIAL: Homecoming committee should consider new dance venue

Editorial Board
November 1, 2018
The construction workers working on the structure of the new building.

EDITORIAL: New building construction should remain during school hours

Editorial Board
October 24, 2018
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