Can we help you find something?
The Student News Site of Altoona Area High School

Mountain Echo
Altoona Area High School
1404 Sixth Avenue
Altoona, PA 16602
  • March 24Breakfast 03/24/25 - Assorted Bagels with Cream Cheese
  • March 24Lunch 03/24/25 - Crispy Chicken Sandwich
  • March 24Announcements for 03/24/25
  • March 20Breakfast 03/20/25 - Egg and Cheese Bagel
  • March 20Lunch 03/20/25 - Pasta with Meat Sauce
  • March 20Announcements for 03/20/25
  • March 19Breakfast 03/19/25 - French Toast Sticks
The Student News Site of Altoona Area High School

Mountain Echo
The Student News Site of Altoona Area High School

Mountain Echo
Madison Aboud

Madison Aboud, Associate Editor

My name is Madison Aboud and I am a sophomore at AAHS. This is my second year on Mountain Echo staff and my first year as an Associate Editor. In Jr. high, I was a reporter on the AAJHS Livewire. In my free time, you can find me reading or singing along to my favorite show-tunes. I’ve always had a passion for writing. My ultimate goal after high school is to become a professional journalist. Outside of Mountain Echo, I am in band, chorus, vocal ensemble, student council and Friends of Rachel. I strive to make sure students of AAHS are finding out everything they need to know within a timely manner. I can’t wait for another great year! 

All content by Madison Aboud
All smiles. Junior Ryker Scriver poses with teacher Deidra Dumm. Dumm was the first person Sciver told about being a Challenge Program finalist. (Courtesy of Ryker Scriver).

Ryker Scriver named Challenge Program finalist

Madison Aboud, Associate Editor
March 24, 2025

Music department works through winter

Madison Aboud, Associate Editor
March 19, 2025
Reading all the way. The best books to read for a long winter.

Quick reads to make it through a slow winter

Madison Aboud, Associate Editor
March 12, 2025
One last time. The Vocal Ensemble performs under the direction of Kelly Sipes, unaware it would be one of their final performances with her. (Courtesy of Kelly Sipes)

Parting ways

Madison Aboud, Associate Editor
February 27, 2025
Hard at work. As illness in students rise, so do the number of visits to the nurse during the school day.

[Photo] Number of students visiting nurse skyrockets

Adrielle McNeal, Reporter
November 8, 2024
Prologue. Every book holds a new adventure and you never know what will be waiting within the pages.

Book of the Month

Madison Aboud, Associate Editor
February 23, 2025
How long. The stage during the second act of “Hadestown.” The second act begins with Persephone and the workers singing “Our Lady of the Underground.”

Best Broadway musicals

Madison Aboud, Associate Editor
January 30, 2025
Love is in the air. With Valentine's Day around the corner, there is nothing better than curling up with a good romance novel... or fantasy. (Made with Canva.)

Happily ever after

Madison Aboud, Associate Editor
February 11, 2025
Working hard. 16 band members qualified for Region Band. (Courtesy of Larry Detwiler.)

Region Band concert to be held

Madison Aboud, Associate Editor
February 10, 2025
Mountain Lion Backpack prepares bags

Mountain Lion Backpack prepares bags

Madison Aboud, Associate Editor
January 27, 2025
Working hard. Volunteers begin going through packing on Jan. 22.

Break down. While others pack, some volunteers choose to help in other ways, such as breaking down boxes.

Food for thought. Cans of soup line the stage as packers work to get all bags packed.

After hours. Junior Natalie Duffy helps out at Backpack after school.

Signing in. Volunteers sit at the back desk in order to help new packers understand how to help, as well as watch over sign in.

Following the lead. Kim Aboud helps out every week, packing and cleaning.

Helping out. Cereal is a popular choice for those helping out the Backpack program.

Cold. Volunteers come out to help load the crates of food even though it was a cold night.

Directions. David Aboud helps to direct packers and volunteers over the course of the night.

Ready to go. Crates are placed on the cart in order to be picked up by others.

Brotherly Love. Playing for the same team as his brother, junior Collin Smith also practices with the red team. (Courtesy of Noah DiVentura.)

Bocce team to take on rival Hollidaysburg

Madison Aboud, Associate Editor
January 7, 2025
Continuing on. "Breaking Band" production will continue on even with a cast member going cyber. (Made with Canva.)

“Breaking Band” continues production after cast member goes cyber

Madison Aboud, Associate Editor
January 6, 2025
Christmas time is here. The end of the year is fast approaching and the pile of books is smaller. A glimpse into the past reading year. (made with Canva.)

December Book of the Month

Madison Aboud, Associate Editor
December 23, 2024
Brotherly Love. Playing for the same team as his brother, junior Collin Smith also practices with the red team. (Courtesy of Noah DiVentura.)

[Photo] Bocce practice takes place

Noah DiVentura, Reporter
December 18, 2024
Playing the Blues. The Seth Goheen Trio performed at Levity Brewing Co. on Dec. 6. The performance was their first paid gig. (Courtesy of Seth Goheen.)

Young and jazzy

Madison Aboud, Associate Editor
December 17, 2024
Free! Free Fridays are available for any high school student who shows their ID. (Courtesy of Lila Benjamin.)

Free Fridays

Madison Aboud, Associate Editor
December 13, 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
Banning books. Every year, the number of novels on banned book lists increase. (Made with Canva).

The price society pays

Madison Aboud, Associate Editor
November 25, 2024
On Altoona! The band performed pregame at the first game of the season. The marching band consists of over 100 members. (Courtesy of Jaidyn Palladini)

Band to perform at annual holiday parade

Madison Aboud, Associate Editor
November 25, 2024
IMG_5073

[Photo] McNeal expresses passions for publications

November 23, 2024
IMG_5071

[Photo] Frank contributes to newspaper staff

November 26, 2024
Loving life: Reilly lives life to the fullest

Loving life: Reilly lives life to the fullest

Madison Aboud, Associate Editor
November 22, 2024
Celebration. Students gather together for the annual Friendsgiving event on Nov. 21.

Friendsgiving brings the school community together

Madison Aboud, Associate Editor
November 21, 2024
A world for the reading. A stack of novels all read and loved.

A guide to Bookstagram books

Madison Aboud, Associate Editor
November 15, 2024
Listening in. On Oct. 18, the Navy Commodores came in to work with the Advanced Jazz Ensemble. After the clinic, they performed for the music students.

Navy Commodores visit Advanced Jazz Ensemble

Madison Aboud, Associate Editor
October 28, 2024
Falling in love with reading. (Made in Cavna with Madison Aboud.)

October Book of the Month

Madison Aboud, Associate Editor
October 23, 2024
Listening in. On Oct. 18, the Navy Commodores came in to work with the Advanced Jazz Ensemble. After the clinic, they performed for the music students.

Navy commodores work with Advanced Jazz Ensemble

Madison Aboud, Associate Editor
October 23, 2024
Warming up. Navy Commodores do a dress rehearsal before performing on Oct. 18.

Playing a tune. The pianist for the Navy Commodores performed for music students.

Listen closely. Commodores watch on as the Advanced Jazz Ensemble perform for them during a clinic.

Loud and proud. The Advanced Jazz Ensemble performs for the Navy Commodores before being given feedback

Focused in. Juniors Isabella Abbott and Andrew Sackett focus in on their music during practice.

Shining talent. Senior Aleksander Swalga performs a solo during practice.

Read through. Junior Sage Bower focuses on her music while performing for the Navy Commodores.

Solo. Senior Seth Goheen stands to perform his solo during practice.

A proud moment. Advanced Jazz Ensemble director Larry Detwiler cracks a smile as he watches the ensemble perform.

Helping out. Senior Blake Riddle talks with other ensemble members during practice.

Listen in. Senior Griffin Hollen studies his music while listening to others play.

In the groove. The Advanced Jazz Ensemble performs many times throughout the school year and their music is always changing.

Playing in style. During their clinic, Advanced Jazz Ensemble members had the opportunity to ask questions to the Commodores. Some questions revolved around the type of instruments the Commodores own.

Hard at work. Many Navy Commodores play more than one instrument. Many showed off their skills during their performance.

Getting in the swing. Jazz vocalist Christine Hsia performed with the Commodores on Oct. 18.

Jazz hands. Navy Commodores are completely focused in during their performance.

Rapt attention. Students watch the Navy Commodores perform on Oct. 18.

Working hard or hardly working. Many of the Navy Commodores performed solos throughout their performance for the music students.

Down on Bourbon Street. Navy Commodores performed the staple jazz piece, "Bourbon Street."

IMG_6804

IMG_6739

IMG_6777

IMG_6787

IMG_6768

IMG_6747

Opportunity of a lifetime. President Obama holds a then baby Noah DiVentrua. The photo was taken at the bowling alley his family owns. (Courtesy of Noah DiVentura).

A Strike of Luck

Madison Aboud, Associate Editor
October 9, 2024
Parent - teacher conferences will be held Oct. 10 and Oct. 11. (Made with Canva.)

Parent – teacher conferences

Madison Aboud, Associate Editor
October 9, 2024
Candidates make their grand entrance at last year’s dance. Every year, each candidate and their escort are announced at the dance.

[Photo] Homecoming dance to take place

October 1, 2024
Journey of arts. Lauren Bossi shares her story. (Courtesy of Laura Bossi.)

It’s OK to not be OK

Madison Aboud, Associate Editor
September 30, 2024
Load More Stories
Menu
Activate Search
Home
Madison Aboud