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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
  • January 16Breakfast 01/16/25 - Bacon, Egg and Cheese Croissant
  • January 16Lunch 01/16/25 - Taco Salad
  • January 16Announcements for 01/16/25
  • January 15Breakfast 01/15/25 - French Toast Griddle
  • January 15Lunch 01/15/25 - French Toast Sticks
  • January 15Announcements for 01/15/25
  • January 14Breakfast 01/14/25 - Egg and Cheese Bagel
The Student News Site of Altoona Area High School

Mountain Echo
The Student News Site of Altoona Area High School

Mountain Echo
Emmalee Martyak

Emmalee Martyak, Associate Editor

Hello! I am a sophomore associate editor for the Mountain Echo. This is my second year writing for the Mountain Echo and my first year as an editor. I also previously wrote for the Livewire in junior high. Outside of the newsroom, I am also involved in the drama club and Sophomore Executive Committee. 

All content by Emmalee Martyak
Donations can be left inside of the box outside of Trumpbour's room.

FCCLA holds clothes drive

Emmalee Martyak, Associate Editor
January 15, 2025
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.

[Photo] Disproportionate focus put on Christian holidays

Editorial Board
December 20, 2024
Season's greetings. Movies "Frosty the Snowman", "National Lampoon's Christmas Vacation" and "Krampus", are among the many popular features of the holidays. "Frosty the Snowman" came out in 1969, "National Lampoon's Christmas Vacation" came out in 1989 and "Krampus" came out in 2015.

Last night’s movie [3]

Mattie Baker and Emmalee Martyak
December 19, 2024
Music is available for streaming on sites such as Spotify, Apple Music and YouTube.

12 Days of Christmas: Day nine

Emmalee Martyak, Associate Editor
December 17, 2024
Music is available for streaming on sites such as Spotify, Apple Music and YouTube.

12 Days of Christmas: Day eight

Emmalee Martyak, Associate Editor
December 16, 2024
Books can be an excellent way to get into the holiday spirit. Books can be found not only in book stores, but can also be borrowed from libraries.

12 Days of Christmas: Day seven

Emmalee Martyak, Associate Editor
December 13, 2024
On screen. Holiday themed entertainment is not only available on streaming, but it is also airing on TV. Local airings are available, and are posted individually by TV channels.

12 Days of Christmas: Day six

Emmalee Martyak, Associate Editor
December 12, 2024
On screen. Holiday themed entertainment is not only available on streaming, but it is also airing on TV. Local airings are available, and are posted individually by TV channels.

12 Days of Christmas: Day five

Emmalee Martyak, Associate Editor
December 11, 2024
Getting creative. Holiday-themed crafts can be made with supplies in any price point--some can even be found in one's own back yard.

12 Days of Christmas: Day four

Emmalee Martyak, Associate Editor
December 10, 2024
Whether bought or made, gifts are one of the most common ways of letting someone know that they're cared about during the holiday season.

12 Days of Christmas: Day three

Emmalee Martyak, Associate Editor
December 9, 2024
Getting into the holiday spirit. Getting out into the community is a great way to prepare for the holidays.

12 Days of Christmas: Day two

Emmalee Martyak, Associate Editor
December 6, 2024
Test your knowledge. The trivia Blooket is open through Dec. 19.

12 Days of Christmas: Day one

Emmalee Martyak, Associate Editor
December 5, 2024
When green meets pink. "Wicked" is currently being shown in theaters, but NBC has confirmed that, following its run in theaters, it will be available to stream on Peacock. The film ran for two hours and 40 minutes.

Wicked: No wonder it’s so popular

Emmalee Martyak, Associate Editor
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
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.

[Photo] Teachers’ work time interrupted by unnecessary busy work

Editorial Board
November 25, 2024
Now playing. "You Are Not My Mother" is available to watch on Hulu. The movie ran for 93 minutes.

Last night’s movie [2]

Emmalee Martyak and Mattie Baker
October 31, 2024
Puppy love. Rusty spends time in a student's lap during class time. The student read through her workbook as Rusty roamed through Vanish's classroom, when Rusty approached her, seeking for attention.

A more paw-sitive environment: Daily therapy dog visits uplift students, staff

Emmalee Martyak, Associate Editor
October 21, 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)

[Photo] The 2024 election: A clear choice

October 14, 2024
Now showing. "Last Night in Soho" is available to watch on Prime Video. The movie ran for 146 minutes.

Last night’s movie

Emmalee Martyak and Mattie Baker
October 5, 2024
Puppy love. Therapy dog Cooper brightens the days of students. Students had the opportunities to meet with therapy dogs and their owners on Thursday, Sept. 26.

Therapy dogs brighten students’ days

Emmalee Martyak, Associate Editor
October 2, 2024
Thrown out. Lanyards were required to be worn for years before being done away with. Just because they don't have to be worn anymore doesn't mean that students don't have to have their lanyards.

Identifying the need for change

Emmalee Martyak, Associate Editor
September 20, 2024
Superintendent Brad Hatch addresses teachers at 9 a.m. Friday morning prior to student arrival. Hatch assured teachers the threat had been investigated.

Security threat causes two hour delay

Gracie Gioiosa, Emmalee Martyak, and Mattie Baker
September 13, 2024
School spirit. Football coach Vince Nedimyer hypes up the crowd in the gym before the annual Hollidaysburg-Altoona football game. The entire student body packed into the bleachers for the pep rally.

[Photo] Kicking the tiger (and Altoona sense) out of the gymnasium

Melissa Krainer, Reporter
September 12, 2024
Cast your ballots. All polling places are easy to find and get to; they are typically within walking distance of one's home. Typically high schools and churches are used as polling places. (Made with Canva)

Participating in democracy

Emmalee Martyak, Associate Editor
September 6, 2024
Doing what they love. Most retiring teachers have said that they will not count down the remaining school days. As the year comes to a close, so does the part of their lives that these teachers will have spent teaching.

Four teachers leave high school to begin next chapters of their lives

Emmalee Martyak, Reporter
May 14, 2024
In bloom. A bee sits on a flower, collecting pollen. Altoona has recently encountered warmer days, signifying the start of spring.

[Photo] Springtime activities

April 29, 2024
Wild reptiles. Reptiland has visited Altoona schools once before, when ninth grade was still in the junior high. Biology teacher Jessica Hogan hopes that the presentation will not only be educational, but also that some students may be inspired to visit Reptiland.

Biology and life science classes to attend Reptiland presentations

Emmalee Martyak, Reporter
April 22, 2024
Rivals. Spotify and Apple Music are the most even on the streaming-service playing field. Spotify was officially launched in 2008, and Apple Music in 2015. [Made with Canva]

The superior streaming service

Emmalee Martyak and Mattie Baker
April 17, 2024
Lunch time. Freshmen spend time with one another during lunch. Students ate and talked with their friends about weekend plans and upcoming events.

Classwork. Students in Freshman Seminar are currently working on community service projects. Throughout the first three marking periods, they worked through workbooks and on Smart Futures skills.

Freshman Seminar proves unnecessary

Emmalee Martyak, Reporter
April 5, 2024
Spring Fling. Students who attend the Spring Fling will find entertainment in the forms of a DJ, dancing and backgrounds to take photos with. Students can spend the night socializing and dancing with friends.

Spring Fling to be held for Sophomores, freshmen

Emmalee Martyak, Reporter
April 4, 2024
Pose. Juniors in Mr. Cossitor's homeroom pose together before the start of the day.

Field Trip. Visiting students will not be interfering with the day of AAHS students. They will spend the day working with Broadcasting III and Live Media Production students to make a mock morning show.

McAuliffe Heights students to visit MLTV

Emmalee Martyak, Reporter
March 26, 2024
Celebrating women. The library celebrates Women's History Month by promoting books which feature impactful women. Anyone who visits the library can check out these books, and many more.

Band Bash will offer attendees a look at students' performances from when they first start playing, and will follow as they gather more experience.

Wind ensemble to perform in band bash

Emmalee Martyak, Reporter
March 7, 2024
PJAS students also had the opportunity to participate in SFU STEAM Day this year.

PJAS students advance to States

Emmalee Martyak, Reporter
March 6, 2024
Celebration. Students cheer on the wrestling team following a point being scored against Williamsport.

Confusion. Many students are currently wondering what to expect going into the 2024-25 school year due to different plans that have been considered. Though the plan isn't official, students shouldn't plan on any more big changes being made.

Changes to expect going into next year

Emmalee Martyak, Reporter
February 22, 2024
"Kid Krow," Conan Gray's first album was released March 2020. Before the album's release, however, he released an EP, "Sunset Season," and posted severaal covers and original songs on YouTube.

Conan Gray sets bar for albums to come

Emmalee Martyak, Reporter
February 7, 2024
Uplifting kindness. Coffee cart shout outs recognize students for doing what they always do. The first shout out was given in October 2023, and they have been given as frequently as possible since.

Coffee cart shout outs uplift students

Emmalee Martyak, Reporter
January 25, 2024
The Daily Grind Coffee Co. offers a variety of breakfast and brunch meals. Their stuffed french toast puts a great twist on a breakfast classic, filling french toast with strawberry or blueberry cream cheese.

Student opinions. Students give their opinions on having phones in school.

[Photo] Pros and Cons of phones in school

Madison Aboud and Emmalee Martyak, Associate Editor and Reporter
January 9, 2024
Lights are a staple in decorating for the holidays. However, in the battle between classic lights and newer lights, I will always see classic lights as the winner.

Old vs New: Which Christmas lights are better?

Emmalee Martyak, Reporter
December 12, 2023
[Ayden Garman]

Melissa Krainer: A love for writing

Emmalee Martyak, Reporter
December 11, 2023
Santa Claus is coming to town! To conclude the Christmas parade on Dec. 2, Santa Claus rode through the streets of downtown Altoona. He rode in on a float from the Glendale Lake Snowmobile Club following many other floats from different organizations throughout Altoona and surrounding areas.

Stories written side-by-side. When prompting different AI, like ChatGPT, it may take multiple inputs to get the desired output. In fact, when first prompted for this story, ChatGPT gave a "once upon a time" type story rather than a news story.

Is AI better than a student reporter?

Emmalee Martyak, Reporter
November 30, 2023
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Emmalee Martyak