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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
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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
Madison Aboud

Madison Aboud, Editor – in – Chief

My name is Madison Aboud, and this is my fourth year on the Mountain Echo staff. I am honored to serve as Editor in Chief for the 2025 – 2026 school year. In 2023, I did an Editorial Leadership training through CSPA (Columbia Scholastic Press Association). In July 2024, I served as a National Youth Correspondent for the Washington Journalism and Media Conference (WJMC) at George Mason University. When I’m not focused on the Mountain Echo, you can find me reading, spending time with friends and family or hanging out with my dogs. After I graduate, I plan to major in English and minor in Communications. My goal this year is to represent our student body accurately and fairly. 

All content by Madison Aboud

Haunted Hallways

Madison Aboud and Alannah Heyward
November 12, 2025
Class of 2026. On Nov. 7, the senior class song and quote voting closed, and the winners were announced.

2026 Senior class song and quote winners

Madison Aboud, Editor – in – Chief
November 7, 2025
Autumnal Vibes. The top book recommendations for the autumnal season.

October Book of the Month

Madison Aboud, Editor – in – Chief
October 30, 2025
Team huddle. The boys’ soccer team groups together before the start of the game on Oct. 13. On Oct. 29, the team will go up against State College for the District Championship game.

Altoona, State College prepare for District Championship Game

Isabella Benjamin, Elijah Lucio, Emma Hovan, Adrielle McNeal, Andie Kephart, and Madison Aboud
October 27, 2025
A world of possibilities. Pirmin Rauscher visited the Railroader's Museum on Oct. 22. This is Rauscher's first time in the United States.

Crossing the tracks

Madison Aboud, Editor – in – Chief
October 27, 2025
A monumental moment. Senior Julian Pringle is announced as the 2025 Homecoming King at the football game on Oct. 10. Pringle is the first Homecoming King in Altoona history.

The Pringle Effect

Madison Aboud, Editor – in – Chief
October 16, 2025
Hard at work. Though the state has yet to pass the state budget, schools in the Altoona district are still operating as normal.

State budget impasse continues

Madison Aboud, Editor – in – Chief
October 15, 2025
Prosper. Freshman Hailey Hamilton runs through her blocking and lines during show rehearsal on Oct. 6.

[Photo] Drama club to present “Monty Python’s Edukational Show”

Emmalee Martyak, Associate Editor
October 7, 2025
Friendly competitors. 28 seniors will be competing for the Homecoming crown. The coronation will take place during halftime at the football game on Oct. 10.

Meet the Homecoming candidates

Madison Aboud, Editor – in – Chief
October 2, 2025
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All smiles. The Distinguished Alumni of 2025 pose for a photo together at the end of the Distinguished Alumni dinner on Sept. 13.

The definition of success

Madison Aboud, Editor – in – Chief
September 25, 2025
Listening in. Colonel Joseph Fraundorfer and his family remain seated while Rob Davis gave his introduction to Col. Fraundorfer.

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Distinguished Alumni. A poster board was showcased at the entrance to the Distinguished Alumni dinner, showcasing a photo of each person who was a recipient of the award.

Musical memories. The high school String Ensemble performs at the Distinguished Alumni dinner on Sept. 13. They played for guests until the dinner commenced.

Obituary: Marissa Shultz

Obituary: Marissa Shultz

Madison Aboud, Editor – in – Chief
September 18, 2025
Continuing on. Although the state budget is still at an impasse, Altoona students continue through the school year as normal.

District forced to enter critical spending

Madison Aboud, Editor – in – Chief
September 12, 2025
All smiles. Noah Schultz poses his senior photo, showcasing his Class of 2025 sweatshirt. The photo will be in the National Down Syndrome Society (NDSS) video presentation in Times Square on Sept. 6.

Noah Schultz chosen to represent Down syndrome community in Times Square

Madison Aboud, Editor – in – Chief
September 5, 2025
Smile. Members of the cast and crew of "The Little Mermaid" pose for a photo after winning runner up for Best Production. (Courtesy of Ben Cossitor)

Shoot for the stars

Madison Aboud, Associate Editor
May 28, 2025
Smiles and laughter. Caleb Marasco earned the award for 'Most Hip.' Marasco teaches geometry.

Teacher Appreciation Week

Madison Aboud, Associate Editor
May 9, 2025
Fireworks. After a day in Magic Kingdom, park goers got to the castle early in order to watch "Happily Ever After," a fireworks show featuring music and scenes from some of the most popular Disney movies.

Music Department goes to Disney

Madison Aboud, Associate Editor
May 6, 2025
Rockin' Roll. In Hollywood studios, the Rock 'n' Roller Coaster is a fast moving, surprising ride featuring the music of Aerosmith. There are plans for the ride to be redone in the next few years to feature the Muppets.

Dreaming big. Before Hollywood Studios closes for the night, Phantasmic, a fireworks and boat parade on the water, takes place. Students got there early in order to get good seats.

Waiting in line. Students in line for "Flight of Passage," a ride themed around "Avatar" were able to see the many sights surrounding the park and the ride.

Cooling off. After a long day in Animal Kingdom, students went down to the hotel pool to cool down from the Florida heat.

Go the distance. After a 16 hour bus ride, students and staff arrived in Walt Disney World. While in Disney, the orchestra and chorus performed at Disney Springs, drama students got to attend a workshop, and the marching band marched in Magic Kingdom down main street.

Happily ever after. Park goers lined up around Cinderella's Castle at closing time for Magic Kingdom in order to watch the fireworks show.

Cannonball! Music students line the pool in the early morning to watch Larry Detwiler and Ben Cossitor face off in a cannonball competition. According to the poll from Kelly Detwiler, L. Detwiler took home the win.

Let it go. The Frozen ride in Epcot consisted of many scenes from the 2013 movie. The ride also had music which went along with each featured scene.

Hey There Delilah. In Epcot, the Plain White T's performed a concert, including the well - known song, "Hey There Delilah."

Closing night. After the Symphony of Us fireworks show at Epcot, the Epcot ball stayed lit up as park goers left the park.

Made in Canva.

April Book of the Month

Madison Aboud, Reporter
April 23, 2025
All smiles. Adilee Scott, Dominick Zlupko, Ava Steinbugl and Keldon Holland were on-hand to receive the first place plaques. Mark Harrington and Carmine Polito were also part of the Best Newscast team. (Courtesy of Mike Baker.)

MLTV wins four awards at Keystone Media Awards

Madison Aboud, Associate Editor
April 15, 2025
Curtain call. The Little Mermaid cast takes their final bow on the closing night of the show.

Behind the scenes shenanigans

Madison Aboud, Associate Editor
April 11, 2025
Attentive audience. The audience falls silent during a song. Regional Band performed several songs on March 7.

Musicians make it to All-States

Madison Aboud, Associate Editor
April 10, 2025
Spring Spectacular. All the seniors gather for a picture at the end of their last Spring Spectacular Concert. This concert was held on Feb. 27. (Courtesy of Adrielle McNeal)

Orchestra to perform spring concert

Madison Aboud, Associate Editor
April 4, 2025
Attentive audience. The audience falls silent during a song. Regional Band performed several songs on March 7.

All – State festivals to be held April 9 – 12

Madison Aboud, Associate Editor
April 1, 2025
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
Elected. Wenzel is part of the State Thespian Board for next year and will be able to help plan the next Thesfest conference. He was shocked and excited when they announced his name for the officer position. "I've gotten into more of the technical side of things. I usually just do acting, but I've learned a lot more about the design of stages, design of lighting and a lot of media advertising, too," Wenzel said. (Courtesy of Wenzel)

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
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