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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
  • December 6Lunch for 12/6/23 - Beef and Cheese Nachos & Baked Beans
  • December 6Announcements for 12/6/2023
  • December 5Lunch for 12/5/23 - General Tso's & Steamed Broccoli
  • December 4National Cookie Day!
  • December 4Lunch for 12/4/23 - Cheeseburger & French Fries
  • December 4Announcements for 12/4/2023
  • December 1Lunch for 12/1/23 - Toasted Cheese Sandwich & Tomato Soup
The Student News Site of Altoona Area High School

Mountain Echo
The Student News Site of Altoona Area High School

Mountain Echo
Mykenzi Doran

Mykenzi Doran, Reporter

Hey! I'm Kenzi, and I am a senior here at the AAHS who writes for the Mountain Echo and Horseshoe Yearbook! This is my fourth year as a news reporter and third year as a yearbook reporter, but I do a lot more than writing inside and outside of school. I play the trumpet and bass clarinet for our school's wind ensemble and jazz band. I've been competing in beauty pageants for five years now and they have taken me all around Pennsylvania and that have even taken me to New Jersey and Virginia! I'm also a part of the Foreign Language Club and I plan on joining Earthkeepers Club and Mock Trial. I love writing, but I prefer to read and take pictures. Some of my favorite books are 'Thirteen Chairs' by Dave Shelton, "Dracula" by Brahm Stoker, 'The Kidnapping of Christina Lattimore' by Joan Lowery Nixon. I don't watch much TV, but listen to a lot of Indie, Metal, and Classical/Jazz music. After high school, I am planning on going to a college to get my degrees to be a mortician and/or an investigative journalist.
All content by Mykenzi Doran
My Two Sense on the Significance of Journalism

My Two Sense on the Significance of Journalism

Myah Lear and Mykenzi Doran
May 26, 2023
Starting off Senior Benjamin Kennedy starts off the song A Musical by talking. After he finished talking , he burst into song with his fellow chorus members.

Students participate in spring chorus concert

Myah Lear and Mykenzi Doran
May 12, 2023
Band director Larry Detwiler watches practice from the sidelines earlier in the year during football season.

Fine Arts department to throw end of the year party

Mykenzi Doran, Reporter
May 5, 2023
Capitol building The bus drives past the capitol building in Harrisburg. The advanced jazz band students got the chance to play on the front steps of the building. Playing at the capital was an honor and I loved being at the House of Representative floor, Sophomore Seth Goheen said.

[Photo] Advanced jazz band travels to state capitol

May 3, 2023
Sophomore Seth Goheen plays the baritone saxiphone while practicing for the PMEA regional band festival. He achieved first chair for States.

[Photo] PMEA musicians hit all the right notes, advance to state-level competition

April 28, 2023
Fifty third Nittany Mountain Lion mascot Michael McDermott served as the Penn State Nittany Lion from 2020-2023. While keeping this job, he was sworn to secrecy. As a graduating senior, he spoke to students at the 2023 PSPA state write off competition about his experience.

Trailing after tradition

Mykenzi Doran, Reporter
April 20, 2023
Dedication Before events, the Lioneers practice in the science commons of the B building to perfect routines. On weekdays the team would stay from 3-4 p.m.

Devoted to dancing

Mykenzi Doran, Reporter
March 31, 2023
History. High school students read to kindergartners to educate them on Black History Month. Carolyn Kline sent students in her African American History classes to read to kindergartners, first and second graders at Penn Lincoln Elementary.

High school students travel to Penn Lincoln for Black History Month

Mykenzi Doran and Cassidy Klock
March 9, 2023
Girls League accepting Easter for Eli donations

Girls League accepting Easter for Eli donations

Mykenzi Doran, Reporter
March 6, 2023
Practicing. Freshman Hannah Owulade plays the violin during rehearsal for the holiday concert. The symphonic orchestra is now preparing to play the String Spectacular.

[Photo] Spring spectacular concert tonight

March 2, 2023
My Two Sense on Pageants and Influencers

My Two Sense on Pageants and Influencers

Myah Lear and Mykenzi Doran
February 8, 2023
Family Alumnus Lukas Caracciolo marches on the field of the Rose Bowl Stadium alongside his fellow Blue Band trumpet players. Penn State won 35-21 with the help of the bands cheer. “At first I looked around the stadium taking it all in, thinking to myself ‘I can’t believe I’m here right now’. When we started moving downfield the nerves started coming in, but I took a deep breath and used that energy to fuel my performance. It truly was an experience like no other,” Caracciolo said.

Altoona alumnus travels to Rose Bowl

Mykenzi Doran, Reporter
January 31, 2023
My Two Sense on 2022 Pop Culture and Political Events

My Two Sense on 2022 Pop Culture and Political Events

Myah Lear and Mykenzi Doran
January 26, 2023
Music Mayhem Senior Austin Parker discusses with music mentor Larry Detwiler about his genius hour project. Parker’s project will bring a brass quartet back to the high school to perform and have fun.

[Photo] Genius Hour continues

January 19, 2023
My Two Sense on Christmas Before December

My Two Sense on Christmas Before December

Myah Lear and Mykenzi Doran
December 6, 2022
Class trip On Nov. 17 Foreign Language Club and Astronomy Club students listen to keynote speakers that relate to their clubs. They traveled to Juniata College after school and enjoyed food in their dining hall that night.

The importance of learning another language

Mykenzi Doran, Reporter
November 18, 2022
Hall duty Sitting at her desk, physical education teacher Megan Yingling enjoys the silence of the hallways compared to the loudness of her gym classes. Yingling used her time in the hallways to update grades for the first marking period.

Damage and Disruption: Why teachers must have hall duty

Mykenzi Doran, Reporter
November 8, 2022
My Two Sense on Our Musical Journeys

My Two Sense on Our Musical Journeys

Myah Lear and Mykenzi Doran
October 28, 2022
Horrifyingly Haunted As the sun sets, the eerie red lights in the lawn turn on and flicker. The house showcased this years new storyline/theme on Friday, September 30 for each person walking through all 25 minutes of the haunted manor.

The unpacking of best things to do during October

Mykenzi Doran, Reporter
October 21, 2022
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[Photo] Abigail Herncane

September 17, 2022
Time for a reenactment Old artifacts sit on the ledge. The reenactment at the Horseshoe Curve had artifacts that related to the history of the Horseshoe Curve.

Reporters investigate history of hometown

Mykenzi Doran and Myah Lear
September 15, 2022
Reenactment time Frederick participates in an reenactment of Irish Immigrants that worked on the Horseshoe Curve. On Sep. 4, Workers at the Horseshoe Curve did a reenactment at the Horseshoe Curve in honor of Labor Day.

[Photo] Railroaders Memorial Museum, Horseshoe Curve shed light on Altoona’s Past

September 7, 2022
Reenactment time Horseshoe Curve worker participates in

[Photo]

Railroaders Museum Many different people go to the museum to learn about Altoonas industrial history.

[Photo]

On April 25 the Quill and Scroll Honors Society induction ceremony was held. Seniors Jayla Nartatez and Destiny Montgomery were inducted into the program.

Staff says goodbye to senior reporters, editors

Mykenzi Doran, Myah Lear, Lillian Roberts, Cassidy Klock, and Abigail Shearer
May 11, 2022
Having fun Juniors Hova and Basile look through some picture they took. The group that went to APPLES took many different pictures.

APPLES festival trip doesn’t go as planned

Mykenzi Doran and Myah Lear
April 8, 2022
Musicians make it to state competitions

Musicians make it to state competitions

Mykenzi Doran, Reporter
March 29, 2022
Looking out. Ortega looks out over the science commons. When visiting the school, Ortega got to see some of the science department and the school.

Ortega views book vending machine and tours updated B building

Mykenzi Doran and Myah Lear
March 18, 2022
Youth and Government sponsors hats for Ukraine

Youth and Government sponsors hats for Ukraine

Mykenzi Doran, Reporter
March 16, 2022
Looking Up. Secretary of Education Noe Ortega looks around the lobby of B building. On March 3, Ortega paid a visit to the AASD and toured Pleasant Valley Elementary and the high school.

Secretary of Education visits schools across state

Mykenzi Doran and Myah Lear
March 8, 2022
The school sits in the sunlight the day before the Pennsylvania Secretary of Education visits. Noe Ortega will be at the high school at 1:45 p.m.

State Secretary of Education to visit AASD

Mykenzi Doran, Myah Lear, and Connor George
March 3, 2022
Girls impacted by stigmatization of menstrual cycle

Girls impacted by stigmatization of menstrual cycle

Mykenzi Doran, Reporter
February 11, 2022
The effects music had on my 2021

The effects music had on my 2021

Mykenzi Doran, Reporter
January 31, 2022
IMG_4436

[Photo]

The award winning movie Titanic directed by James Cameron was released on Dec. 19, 1997. The movie stars famous actor Leonardo DiCaprio as Jack Dawson and Kate Winslet as Rose DeWitt Bukater.

Why both Jack and Rose could have gotten on the door frame after the Titanic sank

Mykenzi Doran, Reporter
January 18, 2022
The award winning movie Titanic directed by James Cameron was released on Dec. 19, 1997. The movie stars famous actor Leonardo DiCaprio as Jack Dawson and Kate Winslet as Rose DeWitt Bukater.

Klock, Doran debate Titanic ending

Mykenzi Doran and Cassidy Klock
January 18, 2022
Touchdown Senior Lukas Caracciolo and his fellow band members cheer for the football team as they just scored a touchdown against Carlisle

[Photo] Pep band returns

January 17, 2022
Maryssa Brandt

Maryssa Brandt

Mykenzi Doran, Reporter
December 15, 2021
5 additional teachers and staff were recently welcomed to the high school’s faculty.

Faculty welcomes new staff members

Mykenzi Doran and Maddie Cowfer
December 15, 2021
IMG_3299

[Photo] Bradley Scherden

December 15, 2021
Maniacs sponsor Halloween costume contest

Maniacs sponsor Halloween costume contest

Mykenzi Doran, Reporter
November 17, 2021
Staff photo The staff poses for a picture. Most of the publication staff that went to trunk or treat dressed up, including the advisor.

Trunk or Treat

Myah Lear and Mykenzi Doran
November 12, 2021
Line up Everybody lines up to get candy. To be able to get candy, families had to go through a line that passed through each car.

[Photo]

DSC_0808

[Photo]

So many clubs The Foreign Language Club hands out candy. There were different clubs and organization from the school present at trunk or treat.

[Photo]

There she is! Sophomore Lillian Roberts poses for a picture. Roberts and Abigail Shearer took turns wearing the mascot costume during trunk or treat.

[Photo]

Theres Granny Junior Claudia Clapper hand candy out. Clapper dressed up as an old granny for trunk or treat.

[Photo]

High Five! The mountain lion gives a high to a trunk or treater. The children and adults at trunk or treat had the opportunity to get a high five with the mountain lion.

[Photo]

Senior reporter Avery Reid designed and made stickers for trunk or treaters. Each sticker says Future Mountain Echo Reporter.

Student reporters to attend trunk or treat

Mykenzi Doran, Reporter
October 21, 2021
My Two Sense on Urban Legends and Horror Stories

My Two Sense on Urban Legends and Horror Stories

Myah Lear and Mykenzi Doran
October 20, 2021
My Two Sense on MOXiE!

My Two Sense on “MOXiE!”

Myah Lear and Mykenzi Doran
October 11, 2021
Masking Up Physical education teachers Julie Schmoke and Megan Yingling talk with a student during the first day of school activity fair. Masks were optional for students at the start of the school year but are now mandatory unless a mask exemption is submitted to administration.

[Photo] Masks should be optional

September 24, 2021
Senior Quinn Mosebey, Junior Austin Parker, Sophomore Mackenzie Colabove and sophomore Aaliyah McGee play at the home football game. Marching band performed at game during halftime.

[Photo] Alumni return for Homecoming game

September 23, 2021
Kyle, Brevard choose out of state colleges

Kyle, Brevard choose out of state colleges

Mykenzi Doran, Reporter
May 7, 2021
Garwood’s Greatest Show

Garwood’s Greatest Show

Mykenzi Doran, Reporter
April 12, 2021
Baums Ballgame

Baum’s Ballgame

Mykenzi Doran, Reporter
April 12, 2021
Caitlin’s Congo

Caitlin’s Congo

Mykenzi Doran, Reporter
April 12, 2021
Homecoming candidates introduce themselves

Homecoming candidates introduce themselves

Sydney Wilfong, Sonia Yost, and Mykenzi Doran
April 12, 2021
The lights! Although the beach is mostly dark at night, there are still some things lit up. Neon lights like these look stunning during the night time.

I simply love: a night at the beach

Mykenzi Doran, Reporter
January 20, 2021
As the auditorium construction progresses, seats have been installed, and workers continue to make progress.

Band room, auditorium near completion

Mykenzi Doran, Reporter
December 21, 2020

Students should return to school in person

Mykenzi Doran, Reporter
October 28, 2020
Kick it! In a preseason game against Holidaysburg, junior soccer player Will Young kicks the ball to his teammate senior Austin Kravetz. The varsity team is currently 4-1 and the next game is on Saturday, Oct. 10.

Fall sports affect student athletes’ mental health

Mykenzi Doran, Reporter
October 8, 2020
Guidance at home. Each grade has its own google classroom for the guidance office. Be sure to look through the materials after youve signed up and contact your counselor if you have any questions or concerns

Counselors address school year concerns

Mykenzi Doran, Reporter
October 6, 2020
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