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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
  • April 23Breakfast 04/23/25 - Biscuit with Country Gravy
  • April 23Lunch 04/23/25 - General Tso's Chicken
  • April 23Announcements for 04/23/25
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  • April 22Lunch 04/22/25 - Mac and Cheese
  • April 22Announcements for 04/22/25
  • April 17Breakfast 04/17/25 - 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
Gracie Gioiosa

Gracie Gioiosa, Reporter

Hello! I am a senior and this will be my second year writing for the Mountain Echo.  At the publication I enjoy writing opinion stories and getting to know people’s stories throughout the interview and research process. Other than writing, I love reading, biking, running, listening to podcasts and being outdoors. Until then, I can’t wait to have another fantastic year writing for the Mountain Echo!

All content by Gracie Gioiosa
Saint Francis University in Loretto, PA was the smallest D1 school in the nation. The university gets its name from the Catholic Saint Francis of Assisi.

Saint Francis move to D3 athletics takes students, community by surprise

Gracie Gioiosa, Reporter
April 15, 2025
Courtesy of Megan Giles

What’s next?

Gracie Gioiosa, Reporter
March 24, 2025
Instead of a senior ring, Harkins opted for a custom Penguin's hockey jersey with the number "25," representing his graduation year.

What’s next?

Gracie Gioiosa, Reporter
March 12, 2025
Lovely lunar landing. Astronomy teacher James Krug smiles as he operates the lunar landing module model. The model is located in the lobby of the Neil Armstrong Planetarium.

Joint Astronomy, FLC field trip to take place

Gracie Gioiosa, Reporter
March 12, 2025
Smile! It's cheer time. Weatherwalk shows off her cheerleading skills on the track. The junior described the moment when she performed the dances, cheers and stunts in front of the All-American judges last summer. "I felt very confident because we were practicing a lot, and I pick up things very well. So I felt that I was going to do pretty well," Weatherwalk said. "I wasn't exactly sure that I was gonna make All-American, but I definitely tried hard."

Cheer tryouts set to take place

Gracie Gioiosa, Reporter
February 28, 2025
The girl's 200 yard medley rely team flex their bronze medals.

District Swim Meet

Gracie Gioiosa, Reporter
February 27, 2025
Trevor WIlson goes into his last flip turn of the 100 meter backstroke race.

Swim team competes at districts, ends regular season

Gracie Gioiosa, Reporter
February 27, 2025
Swimmers competed at Penn State's McCoy Natatorium.

Some members of the girl's team eagerly watch their teammates compete.

The swim team smiles on the bus after a long day of competing.

Lana Luke, Sofia Hallinan, and Charlie Kephart warm up together.

Swimmers presented the coaches with a memento on the way to the district meet.

Swimmers from all teams practice their dives.

Swimmers wait to cheer for their teammates.

To pass the time swimmers play games.

Swimmers Lana Luke and Sofia Hallinan take a break to watch an exciting race.

Knowing the rights you and others have is important.

TikTok ban affects students

TikTok ban affects students

Gracie Gioiosa, Reporter
January 30, 2025
A rally in the valley. Trump supporters gather at a Trump rally in Johnstown. Political rallies exist to bring together the supporters of a candidate and unify the election effort.

[Photo] Trump policy negatively affects teens

Lincoln Frank, Associate Editor
January 29, 2025
Team taps! Senior, Lanie Wilt, walked off court and high fived teamates. Wilt is commited to play basketball for D’Youville University.

Former coaches, players to be honored for program’s 1000 wins

Gracie Gioiosa, Reporter
January 22, 2025
Proof the good don't always die young. Flags around the country are flying at half mast to honor Carter.

Jimmy Carter’s legacy

Gracie Gioiosa, Reporter
January 17, 2025
Team spirit. Swimmers from both teams line up to encourage their teammates in the boy's 400 yard relay.

January 8 swim meet: Homer City at Altoona

Gracie Gioiosa, Reporter
January 9, 2025
New head coach Brian Kephart encourages swimmers from the side lines.

Half-time. Teams keep a close eye on their scores at the half way point of the meet. "We won in our hearts," senior Reese "Rizz" Myers said.

Final stretch. Swimmers push through their last 50 or so yards of the 100 yard backstroke race.

Cheering on. Senior and boy's swim team captain, Trevor Wilson has been swimming for nearly ten years, so he uses his expertise to uplift newer swimmers

Helping hands. Volunteers like biology teacher Deneie Condo help to record scores, announce and more.

Fake. The map in social studies teacher Shane McBurney's classroom shows seven continents.

Continents aren’t real, the obsession with random categories

Gracie Gioiosa, Reporter
December 23, 2024
Boys' indoor track team competes at a meet last season. Their first meet will be held at Penn State. (Courtesy of Emma McCloskey)

Indoor track and field schedule

Gracie Gioiosa, Reporter
December 18, 2024
Students can get information about the club via Google Classroom. More information will be available on the morning announcements.

Cancer-focused club created

Gracie Gioiosa, Reporter
December 5, 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

Gracie Gioiosa, Reporter
December 2, 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.

[Video] Ready to run: 2024 Turkey Bowl takes place

Charlie Kephart, Mattie Baker, Emmalee Martyak, Madison Aboud, Andie Kephart, and Emma Hovan
November 26, 2024
Youth and Government Club will sponsor a mock election starting Nov. 1.

Mock Election results

Gracie Gioiosa, Reporter
November 6, 2024
Official portrait of President Donald J. Trump. Craighead, Shealah, photographer

Trump wins 2024 presidential election

Gracie Gioiosa, Reporter
November 6, 2024
STEM teacher Frank Harpster, dressed as a dog for Halloween, encourages students to vote in the mock election

Even dogs can vote

Gracie Gioiosa, Reporter
November 1, 2024
Scan to access mock election website, or visit this link- https://sites.google.com/altoonastudent.com/2024altoonamockelection/home

Mock Election to open today

Gracie Gioiosa, Reporter
November 1, 2024
Youth and Government Club will sponsor a mock election starting Nov. 1.

A special announcement from George Washington about the mock election

Gracie Gioiosa, Reporter
October 31, 2024
Voters are preparing mail in ballots and receiving information in the mail daily.

The two sides of new voters

Gracie Gioiosa, Reporter
October 17, 2024
All decked out. Sophomore Ashlyn Noce proudly shows off her mixed match attire. "I think this theme is really fun and I am having fun doing it with my team," Noce said.

All mixed up. Students wait for their coffee during missed-match day.

Not just for students. Throughout Homecoming week teachers, administrators, and even principals dressed for the theme. "I am glad I can brighten people's days this week by dressing up," secretary Kim Fischer said.

Locked in. Senior Justin Bossler goes for the ball like Coach McCarter guides him to do.

McCarter reflects on 100 career wins

Gracie Gioiosa, Reporter
October 3, 2024
Freshly 18 and eager to vote. Former student Lila Benjamin registers to vote. "Registering to vote is very important. A lot of young people are understandably scared of making such a big decision, but voting allows younger generations to voice their opinion and get a say on how laws are made," Benjamin said.

A guide for registering to vote in Pennsylvania

Gracie Gioiosa, Reporter
September 18, 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
Trump supporters cheer as Trump enters the arena.

My experience at Trump’s Johnstown rally

Gracie Gioiosa, Reporter
September 11, 2024
One of the many armed, militia looking members.

A sea of Trump supporters gather in anticipation of hearing Trump give his speech.

"USA, USA, USA" Trump supporters cheer as Trump takes the stage inside the arena.

"USA, USA, USA" Trump supporters cheer as Trump takes the stage inside the arena.

Trump takes the stage as many record his vitriolic speech.

Trump takes the stage as many record his vitriolic speech.

One of the many armed, militia looking members.

A small counter protest gathers near the main section of the rally area.

The War on Drugs spearheaded by Altoona native Harry J. Anslinger has resulted in mass incarceration skyrocketing and little to no positive results.

Altoona’s role in failed War on Drugs

Gracie Gioiosa, Reporter
May 20, 2024
Students signed up for Toona Tune Up will participate rain or shine in order to clean up the city.

DeShong to run her last Toona Tune Up

Gracie Gioiosa, Reporter
May 10, 2024
The 2023 class of inductees to the Thespian Society. Courtesy of Selena Thompson.

Thespian society recognizes students involved in theater

Gracie Gioiosa, Reporter
April 30, 2024
Dog days. The stereotype of dogs and cats not getting along does not hold up for this German Shepard and calico. These two pets were not even raised together, yet they are best friends.

Fair game. Participants like computer teacher Jesse Frailey hope to advance by advertising.

AAHS hosts second March Madness

Gracie Gioiosa, Reporter
April 18, 2024
Senior Rayan Saeed works hard on her school work even during lunch, "It's hard to stay motivated this year, but staying positive and confident get me through it," Saeed said.

Altoona's car dependency must end

Altoona’s car dependency must end

Gracie Gioiosa, Reporter
March 18, 2024
Eat Fresh. The iconic Subway logo hangs on the wall inside the location on 25th Ave. This location offered the foot-long churro and pretzel but unfortunately were out of the cookies.

Subway Sidekicks: Are they really worth it?

Gracie Gioiosa and Charlie Kephart
February 29, 2024
The mural created in 2020 honoring William Nesbit's often overlooked life.

Black history in Blair County gains recognition, but more needs to be done

Gracie Gioiosa, Reporter
February 15, 2024
Courtesy of Nolan Park.

Students voice their disdain for Blue Knob Ski Resort

Gracie Gioiosa, Reporter
February 5, 2024
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