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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
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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
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
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

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

Continents aren’t real, the obsession with random categories

Gracie Gioiosa, Reporter
December 19, 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
Courtesy of Nolan Park

Courtesy of Nolan Park

Getting set up. Sophomore Sofia Hallinan logs into her Google Classroom for Doug Sipes' Broadcasting one class. "I am excited about broadcasting one because it's something new to do and I love to film stuff, so being able to film around the school will be really fun." Hallinan said.

The best things that happened in 2023

The best things that happened in 2023

Gracie Gioiosa, Reporter
January 22, 2024
Warming up Freshmen Evelyn Adams and Skyler Irwin stand at the baseline to warmup before their tennis match. Later in the season, Irwin suffered a knee injury which took her out of the lineup for the rest of the season.

The unseen side of sports injuries

Miley Naugle and Gracie Gioiosa
January 12, 2024

A Day in the Life of McKinley

Charlie Kephart, Lincoln Frank, Gracie Gioiosa, and Melissa Krainer
December 13, 2023
Getting the full experience. McKinley joins her owner, John Saboe, for a department head meeting. Throughout the meeting, McKinley livened up the otherwise boring meeting.

Only who can prevent forest fires? Smokey the bear seen at the Gallitzin Forest District during the 2023 Canadian wildfires.

[Photo] Smokey the bear needs to change

Gracie Gioissa, Reporter
December 11, 2023
Dog days. Each Thursday numerous therapy dogs are available for students to visit in the library. Freshman Harris Field and M.J. Miller take a break from their schoolwork to pet Cooper, a therapy dog. "They've been coming in Thursdays, so I always try to stop in and hang out with them," Miller said.

"Engage them through real life scenarios in implementing more culture to enhance the engagement," Señor Leone says is the most beneficial way to teach language students.

AP testing scores announced

Gracie Gioiosa, Reporter
November 17, 2023
Locked In. The varsity girls' cross country team huddles together before the start of their race.

Varsity girls’ District Six meet

Gracie Gioiosa, Reporter
November 2, 2023
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