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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
What You Need To Know
The Student News Site of Altoona Area High School

Mountain Echo
The Student News Site of Altoona Area High School

Mountain Echo
Melissa Krainer

Melissa Krainer, Reporter

Hi! My name is Melissa Krainer, and this is my first year reporting for the Mountain Echo. I am very excited to be a part of the staff this year as a freshman! Previously, I wrote stories for the junior high newspaper. I have always been passionate about writing, and I can't wait to help report on school events this year. In my free time, you might find me crocheting, reading, playing the violin or working on math puzzles. I speak both English and German fluently. This is one of my favorite quotes:

"Be the change you wish to see in the world."

- Mahatma Gandhi

All content by Melissa Krainer
Prom 2023

[Photo] Prom 2023

May 31, 2023
Senior Week 2023 concludes

Senior Week 2023 concludes

Melissa Krainer, Reporter
May 26, 2023
Yearbook staff distributes yearbook

Yearbook staff distributes yearbook

Melissa Krainer, Reporter
May 26, 2023
Seniors participate in Games Day during Senior Week 2023

Seniors participate in Games Day during Senior Week 2023

Melissa Krainer, Reporter
May 24, 2023

Echo in the Halls – May Edition

Addisen McDonald and Melissa Krainer
May 22, 2023

Journalism students visit New York

Madison Aboud and Melissa Krainer
May 17, 2023
Awards. Junior Academy of Science members hold up their certificates. Students received certificates and medals for their hard work on their projects and presentations skills.

PJAS State Competition

Melissa Krainer, Reporter
May 10, 2023
Senior Arden McKendree plans to attend college after high school.

“I’m In”

Melissa Krainer, Reporter
May 3, 2023
Senior Brandon Everhart plans to attend college after high school.

“I’m In”

Melissa Krainer, Reporter
May 1, 2023
Journalistic inspirations. On April 20, student journalists on the yearbook, newspaper and MLTV staffs were inducted into the Quill and Scroll Honor Society. The society was founded by a group of journalism teachers on April 10, 1926, at the University of Iowa to recognize high school journalists. The ceremony included 20 new candidates and 11 second-year candidates.

Quill and Scroll International Honorary Society Induction 2023

Melissa Krainer, Reporter
April 27, 2023
Senior Annie Ketterman plans to attend college after high school.

“I’m In”

Melissa Krainer, Reporter
April 26, 2023
Senior Alyssa Zeigler plans to attend college after high school.

“I’m In”

Melissa Krainer, Reporter
April 21, 2023
Growing through change. The Newsroom in the B building and one of the most vulnerable spots within the building. We established vulnerabilities within certain classrooms on where to be able to feel safe or hide from a threat, McFalls said.

Administration shines light on March 29 lockdown

Madison Aboud and Melissa Krainer
April 20, 2023
Senior Callista Farber plans to attend college after high school.

“I’m In”

Melissa Krainer, Reporter
April 18, 2023
Game time. The eSports team members, known as GACTC GOATS, pose in the lobby of the St. Francis JFK Center on the day of the fall tournament. Diehl is grateful to have had the opportunity to meet other students who have the same passions as him. I am happy that I can find people who like the same things as me, Diehl said.

‘One of the teachers was like, let’s do this; then it happened’

Melissa Krainer, Reporter
April 14, 2023
Lächeln! The German exchange students attended an Altoona Curve game on Thursday, April 6 at 6 p.m. Bachmann threw the first pitch. The trio hopes to participate in future exchanges throughout their high school career and beyond. I would like to try [the exchange] again. The thing I like is to see the differences between how these two systems in Germany and the U.S. [work]--genuinely just how everything works. Everything works differently, but both work, and Id like to see that,” Ney said. “I mean, Id like to come back to the U.S. anytime in my life, but I’d also like to maybe visit another country. From left to right: Bachmann, Ney, Breinlich.

German exchange students share their experiences in America

Melissa Krainer, Reporter
April 13, 2023
Smile! Anello poses for a photo in the first marking period when she won a thermal CTC cup through the WISE Program. Along with the cup, she has won $200 through rewards programs offered at the GACTC. I complete community service. My understanding is its to better help the community, Anello said. [The WISE Program] is not just little awards and stuff like that. Thats one reason I do community service.

GACTC offers WISE program through four pathways

Melissa Krainer, Reporter
April 4, 2023
Senior Abigail Scheinberg plans to attend college after high school.

“I’m In”

Melissa Krainer, Reporter
March 29, 2023
Senior Trevor Wolfe plans to join the army after high school.

“I’m In”

Melissa Krainer, Reporter
March 7, 2023
Twinkling Trio. Reed and Shehan have developed a friendship through their cheer career. I think its incredible that [All-American] takes people from literally all around the world who have a passion and desire to cheer and puts them together, Shehan said. Its just really cool to see all the different people that do the same thing as you. From left to right: Laura Reed, Sophia Feigh, Emily Shehan.

A one-week stay in the UK: Laura Reed travels to London

Melissa Krainer, Reporter
February 23, 2023
Climate and Culture Squad begins March Madness competition

Climate and Culture Squad begins March Madness competition

Melissa Krainer, Reporter
February 22, 2023
Senior Kylianna Sipes plans to attend college after high school.

“I’m In”

Melissa Krainer, Reporter
February 14, 2023
Smile! Basile lives in the U.S. with her mom, sister and relatives on her stepdads side. She feels she is fully adapted to the change, but she recalls it as being a slight adjustment. Its different being the only minority mostly, Basile said.

From Sudan and the Philippines to Altoona, Pa.

Melissa Krainer, Reporter
February 14, 2023
Save the date! The PJAS regionals competition is on Saturday, Feb. 18 at Saint Francis University. Competitors will present their projects along with other students from Cambria, Somerset, Center and Bedford counties.

PJAS Regional Competition

Melissa Krainer, Reporter
February 1, 2023
Smile! The Bocce team grins in the stands after defeating Bellwood-Antis on Tuesday, Jan. 10. The teams first game ended in Altoona winning the first match 14-1; Bellwood winning the second match 7-2; and Altoona winning the tie-breaker frame 1-0.

Bocce Bonding

Melissa Krainer, Reporter
January 31, 2023
Smile! The Bocce team grins in the stands after defeating Bellwood-Antis on Tuesday, Jan. 10. The teams first game ended in Altoona winning the first match 14-1; Bellwood winning the second match 7-2; and Altoona winning the tie-breaker frame 1-0.

Bocce Ball Game vs. Bellwood-Antis

Melissa Krainer, Reporter
January 18, 2023
Raising awareness. Morgan assisted the community through Key Club while in high school. Now she does her part as an adult by attending different events to spread the word and to help local children. I attend golf outings that help raise money for the club that hosts them. Any Big Brothers Big Sisters of Blair County event that I participate in raises money for children in our area, Morgan said.

Former Key Club member becomes president elect of Kiwanis Club

Melissa Krainer, Reporter
January 9, 2023
Cookies again. Team Scrooge Society are baking cookies. Freshman Madison Aboud and freshman Melissa Krainer worked together to make cookies.

[Photo]

Probiotics project. Ceglar is combining his research and experimentation with his Genius Hour project. Since 1936, students like Ceglar have been able to create projects through PJAS, the oldest STEM organization in Pennsylvania.

PJAS project spotlight: Shedding light on probiotics

Melissa Krainer, Reporter
December 14, 2022
Beep, beep! A Pennsylvania Railroad engine rolls across the pavement to kick off the Christmas Parade. The parade lasted from 6 p.m. to 8 p.m. on Dec. 1.

Christmas Parade: A showcase of holiday spirit

Melissa Krainer, Reporter
December 5, 2022
Prep. Patton prepares teaching materials for her students. In order to further her understanding of languages, she took a sabbatical last year. “[My favorite part about teaching is] just interacting with the kids and watching them learn new things, having them be interested and excited by it like I was,” Patton said.

Jessica Patton

Melissa Krainer, Reporter
December 1, 2022
¡Hola! Guten Tag! Bonjour! The World Languages department poses for a photo. From left to right: Dane Leone, Sandra Mitchell, Mark Petrarca, Veronica Skomra, Patricia Leonard and Jessica Patton.

Veronica Skomra

Melissa Krainer, Reporter
November 30, 2022
Bonjour! Veronica Skomra and Jessica Patton comprise the French portion of the languages department. Skomra has organized field trips to deepen the content and culture so that students can learn beyond the classroom. “My favorite part is making connections with students. It doesnt just have to be with content, it can be in life,” Skomra said.

Patton and Skomra’s Journey

Melissa Krainer, Reporter
November 30, 2022
Smile! Mitchell traveled to the North Sea and the Black Forest in Germany with her family over the summer. She is very excited to be able to share German culture with her students. “I am glad that we are offering German at Altoona. Im not sure if once Dr. Petrarca retires and I no longer work here if German would still be an option. Its harder and harder to find language teachers, especially for German,” Mitchell said. (Photo courtesy of Sandra Mitchell)

Sandra Mitchell

Melissa Krainer, Reporter
November 30, 2022
Guten Tag! Mark Petrarca (right) and Sandra Mitchell (left) comprise the German portion of the languages department. Petrarca’s favorite part of teaching is seeing students comprehend the material. “I enjoy working with my students, and I get a lot of satisfaction when I see the light bulb come on. When I see them being successful, it gives me a sense of achievement. It makes all my effort worthwhile,” Petrarca said.

Petrarca and Mitchell’s Journey

Melissa Krainer, Reporter
November 30, 2022
¡Hola! Guten Tag! Bonjour! The World Languages department poses for a photo. From left to right: Dane Leone, Sandra Mitchell, Mark Petrarca, Veronica Skomra, Patricia Leonard and Jessica Patton.

Mark Petrarca

Melissa Krainer, Reporter
November 30, 2022
¡Hola! Dane Leone, Mark Petrarca, and Patricia Leonard comprise the Spanish portion of the languages department. Teaching Spanish has been a dream come true for Leonard. One of the things I guess I always wanted to do is to not only learn about other cultures, but also teach about my own culture, Leonard said.

Patricia Leonard

Melissa Krainer, Reporter
November 14, 2022
¡Hola! Guten Tag! Bonjour! The World Languages department poses for a photo. From left to right: Dane Leone, Sandra Mitchell, Mark Petrarca, Veronica Skomra, Patricia Leonard and Jessica Patton.

Leone and Leonard’s Journey

Melissa Krainer, Reporter
November 14, 2022
Thumbs-up! Leone has a flag of Costa Rica displayed in his classroom right above his desk. Learning Spanish has allowed him to get to know and help people that he previously would not have been able to converse with. Once you get to a point where you can actually use the language and speak it and listen to it effectively, it literally and figuratively opens up a door to an entire other group of people that you previously were not able to have communication with, Leone said.

Dane Leone

Melissa Krainer, Reporter
November 12, 2022
Hear the roar! Aboud takes a break from overseeing the packaging of the backpacks for elementary school students. He strongly believes in helping people and thinks its important that others volunteer, too. I think it’s important that students get to feel what it’s like to help others. I think that’s an important lesson in life, Aboud said.

Behind the drive: Equipping students with food for the weekend

Melissa Krainer, Reporter
October 28, 2022
Making a difference. Volunteers fill plastic bags with food to supply elementary students with nutrition for the weekends on Wednesday, Sept. 28. Helpers gathered in a warehouse on Beale Ave. Tenth grader Nevin Kelley (on the right) contributes to the efforts.

Behind the scenes: Mountain Lion Backpack Program

Melissa Krainer, Reporter
October 21, 2022
Soaring into the past. Robinson smiles while remembering his service as a flying maintenance individual. He explained that he maintained the airplane as well as flew with it. Robinson said, It always made the pilot feel good that the guy who was working on the airplane was willing to get on it.

Vietnam prisoner of war visits Central Pa.

Melissa Krainer, Reporter
October 7, 2022
Evaluate. Itle-Clark tells his third period math class to solve a problem. He explained that Bruce Lee was an inspiration to him, and Itle-Clark said that this inspiration led him to include a life-size cardboard version of Lee in his classroom.

Jason Itle-Clark

Melissa Krainer, Reporter
September 16, 2022
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The Student News Site of Altoona Area High School
1415 Sixth Avenue
Altoona, PA 16602
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Melissa Krainer