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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
  • May 23Breakfast 05/23/25 - French Toast Sticks
  • May 23Lunch 05/23/25 - Cheesy Bread Sticks
  • May 23Announcements for 05/23/25
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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
Ryan Longstreth

Ryan Longstreth, Reporter

My name is Ryan Longstreth, and I’m a senior. This is my second year on the Mountain Echo staff! I’ve always loved creative writing and have been writing since I was a kid. I play snare drum in the marching band and am a percussionist in the wind ensemble and symphonic orchestra. I’m also a member of the drama club, vocal ensemble and Scholastic Scrimmage quiz bowl team. After high school, I wish to attend Pennsylvania State University at the Eberly College of Science in order to pursue a master’s degree in chemistry. I love all kinds of music, ranging from showtunes to classic rock. When I’m not busy with school, I enjoy I enjoy spending time with my friends, playing video games and watching movies. I’m happy to be able to be able to write for the Mountain Echo for another year!

All content by Ryan Longstreth
Fixer Upper. Junior Caleb Gibson and seniors Marcella Parker and Austin Burk complete test corrections for their Advanced Placement Chemistry Final. Students in the class were offered half of a point earned for each correction made .

Keeping the beat. Band director Larry Detwiler conducts the wind ensemble for the Band Bash concert. They played "Symphony No. 1 The Lord of the Rings."

Band to perform annual spring concert

Ryan Longstreth, Reporter
May 8, 2024
Starved. Sophomore Owen Carmel laments the starvation of his and his brother's charcacters in "Those Canaan Days." Carmel Played Dan in the musical.

Drama club receives Isaac Award nominations

Ryan Longstreth, Reporter
May 3, 2024
Made with Canva

A necessity for nuclear energy

Ryan Longstreth, Reporter
April 22, 2024
Welcome to Cabaret. Freshman Greg Wenzel sings "Willkommen" from the musical "Cabaret." He was assigned this song for his musical theatre class.

[Photo] Freshmen Spotlight

Madison Aboud, Associate Editor
April 15, 2024
Students look forward to spring break each year. This break gives them four days to relax before returning to school.

Schools should spring for longer break

Ryan Longstreth, Reporter
April 4, 2024
"Dune: Part Two" made over $500 million in box office sales. This figure proves the movie was a success.

Dune: Part Two adds spice to the sci-fi genre

Ryan Longstreth, Reporter
March 20, 2024
The best of the best. The gymnastics team poses for a photo together. The team took home first place at the State championship. (Courtesy of Isabella Bush)

Tumbling to the top

Jaidyn Palladini and Ryan Longstreth
March 7, 2024
"I hang with the Vultures." Kanye West and Ty Dolla $ign make up the rap duo "¥$." This album was their first collaboration.

“VULTURES 1” album review

Ryan Longstreth, Reporter
February 23, 2024
SAT. Posters advertising the Scholastic Aptitude Test are hung around the school. These advertisements are simply to generate wealth for the College Board.

Colleges should opt for test-blind policy

Ryan Longstreth, Reporter
February 9, 2024
Fire! Band director Larry Detwiler conducts “Fire!” by Robert W. Smith. Smith composed the piece as a memorial for 9/11 firefighter.

[Photo] New year, new classes

Madison Aboud, Associate Editor
January 29, 2024
Party Problems. Democrats and Republicans are the two main political parties in the United States. These two parties control all three branches of government.

The problems of a two-party system

Ryan Longstreth, Reporter
January 24, 2024
Sweet Swirl. Senior Ava Rokosky carefully swirls the soft serve ice cream onto a cone during her summer job at Frosty Cow. Ice cream stores often provide just seasonal employment, an opportunity students are able to take advantage of during their break.

Student workers learn to manage time

Cevin Dively, Ryan Longstreth, and Olivia McMinn
January 16, 2024
Lunchtime. Principals have lunch together every Friday in a conference room located in the main office.

Principals bond during lunch

Ryan Longstreth and Cevin Dively
December 14, 2023
Getting Ready. Juniors Eileena Guo and Lavendia Guo prepare before rehearsal for the symphonic orchestra concert. Both sisters play the violin.

[Photo] Winter Wonderland

December 8, 2023
OG. Players were transported back in time for "Fortnite: Season OG." Players that used to play during the game's first chapter returned for a renewed experience.

“Fortnite: Season OG” delivers nostalgia

Ryan Longstreth, Reporter
December 6, 2023
Let's go AAHS Head principal Andrew Neeley and assistant principal Keri Harrington unite to watch the championship game of the Turkey Bowl event. Neeley dressed as a turkey in honor of the event's name.

Turkey Bowl to kick off

Ryan Longstreth, Reporter
November 20, 2023
Early Morning. Hard Bean Cafe opts for a more casual space complete with couches and warm lighting.

Business booms on 764

Ryan Longstreth, Reporter
October 27, 2023
Math difficulties. Reed works on her benchmark review for her Honors Trigonometry/Algebra 3 class.

The life of a junior

Ryan Longstreth, Reporter
October 18, 2023
All new teachers hired by the district gathered at the high school for the week prior to school starting for training.

Sixteen teachers choose high school

October 18, 2023
Just dance. Students at last year's dance let loose at Homecoming.

Tickets on sale for Homecoming dance

Ryan Longstreth, Reporter
September 29, 2023
Signet march. Senior Ryan Longstreth and Junior Reece Myers march behind Senior James Horell while playing "Barnum and Bailey's Favorite."

Parade to be held in celebration of Labor Day

Ryan Longstreth, Reporter
September 1, 2023
Spinning out in space. Senior Christina Dicus sings "Control" by Zoe Wees.

Chorus Karaoke Night 5/10

Ryan Longstreth, Reporter
May 23, 2023
I'll meet you there. Senior Keira Mayhue sings "Space Between" from the move "Descendants." The song was performed as a duet with senior Gracie Crider

Slice of heaven. Junior Leah St. Croix sings "Cake" by Melanie Martinez.

What's it like in New York City? Sophomore Charlie Bolvin Sings "Hey There Delilah" by Plain White T's.

Waiting every night. Sophomore Clarissa Long sings "I'll Be Waiting" by Cian Ducrot.

It starts tonight. The senior members of the chorus that attended the karaoke event sing "From Now On" from "The Greatest Showman." Prior to singing, each of them gave a final speech thanking chorus director Kelly Sipes and other chorus members.

Time to shine. Marasco shows off his talent at the karaoke night held by the chorus.

Faculty to take center stage in teacher talent show

Ryan Longstreth, Reporter
May 11, 2023
Senior Christina Dicus sings "" by .

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

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

Ryan Longstreth, Reporter
April 28, 2023
Come on along! Junior Ethan Eisenhart performs the choreography to "Lullaby of Broadway." This number has almost the entire cast on stage. Eisenhart plays the role of Billy Lawlor.

Drama club to perform spring musical

Ryan Longstreth, Reporter
April 6, 2023
During a break between sessions, sophomores Rylie Keagy and Addisen McDonald reenact the Titanic. The students were required to attend eight sessions in New York.

[Photo] Mountain Echo and Horseshoe yearbook travel to New York City

Cassidy Klock, Editor in Chief
March 29, 2023
Victory. Junior Leah St. Croix wins a photo of alumunus Luke Rokosky's father as a prize for the tournament. She won the final match 7-1.

St. Croix declared air hockey champion

Ryan Longstreth, Reporter
March 24, 2023
Towers of Gold. Junior Leah St. Croix sings "Never Enough" from "The Greatest Showman"

Chorus karaoke night

Ryan Longstreth, Reporter
March 9, 2023
Glitter for skin. Freshman King Francois belts out "Golden Hour" by JVKE

Fast food champion. A standard meal from Chick-Fil-A includes an entree, a drink and french fries. Dessert and sauces are additionally popular items.

Chick-Fil-A triumphs over Raising Cane’s

Ryan Longstreth, Reporter
March 2, 2023
Meeting time. Clubs constantly hold meetings to discuss current events and get caught up on club activities.

[Photo] Clubs are crucial to help student development

Lincoln Frank, Reporter
February 15, 2023
Talented individuals. Posted on the black box theater's window is a sign up sheet for anyone interested in showing off their talents.

Fine Arts Department to hold talent show

Ryan Longstreth, Reporter
February 13, 2023
9947335B-A2D5-4636-B595-004FE412E94E

[Photo] Does pineapple belong on pizza?

January 12, 2023

No, pineapple does not belong on pizza

Ryan Longstreth, Reporter
January 11, 2023
Cookie shapes. As the cookies are baking, the baker sets another batch of cookies on a pan. The batch of cookies were put into the oven to bake.

Mountain Echo Christmas Cookie Competition

Abigail Rudy and Ryan Longstreth
January 6, 2023
Solo time. Senior Alayna Huss sings a solo during the holiday concert. Some vocal ensemble members got the chance to show their skills while singing a solo.

Vocal Ensemble to perform at Graystone Manor

Ryan Longstreth, Reporter
December 16, 2022

[Video] November Echo in the Halls

Ryan Longstreth and Charlie Kephart
December 7, 2022

Teachers to hold activities night

Ryan Longstreth, Reporter
November 7, 2022
Jacob Ceglar ponders a practice question at a meeting. His hand is on the button, so he can buzz in as quickly as possible.

Scholastic Scrimmage team to compete in District playoffs

Ryan Longstreth, Reporter
November 1, 2022

Echo in the Halls – October 2022

Ryan Longstreth and Miley Naugle
October 31, 2022
During the week of Oct 10 through 17, Crumbl Cookies partook in "think pink" for breast Cancer awareness month. All of the cookies were themed around the color pink.

Crumbl Cookies pink week a success

Ryan Longstreth, Reporter
October 25, 2022
Cedric, Cedric! The cast celebrates Cedric's (Senior Cameron Krause's) victory in the first task.

Puffs Rehearsals- 10/19 and 10/20

Ryan Longstreth, Reporter
October 24, 2022
Harry! Sophmore Trevor Wilson rehearses a scene with Freshman Camille Krug. During this scene, her character supposedly put her name in a "little old cup over there."

Death Awaits. Senior Gracie Crider practices being panicked in fear for her life

Best Buddies! The death buddies ensemble gathers around nefariously. The death buddies are the evil followers of Mister Voldy.

Bathtubs. Sophomore Olivia Behe flirtatiously encourages fellow cast member Senior Cameron Krause during a bathroom scene.

Just Looking at a lake. Cast members pretend to look out at a lake during the second task of a tournament.

Puff Hug! Senior Ben Kennedy hugs junior Leah St. Croix while practicing a romantic scene.

My Aunt! Senior Gracie Crider runs on stage screaming. She makes sure to be as emotional as possible.

Perks of Love. Sophomore Jillian Pierannunzio rehearses a romance scene alone, adapting to her love interest being absent from practice.

Senior Cole Brickner pilots a robot to capture a ball in Franklin Harpster's Robotics Engineering class.

Robotics team to compete at Grove City College

Ryan Longstreth, Reporter
October 17, 2022
Makenzie Negri

Makenzie Negri

Ryan Longstreth, Reporter
September 16, 2022
Posters are on display around the school to remind students of show dates.

Drama Club to hold fall play auditions

Ryan Longstreth, Reporter
September 7, 2022
Gamers must download Terraria "Calamity" mod

Gamers must download Terraria “Calamity” mod

Ryan Longstreth, Guest Reporter
May 10, 2022
Political topics often spark controversy.

Politics divide friendships, families

Ryan Longstreth, Guest Reporter
May 2, 2022

Echo in the Halls – April Edition

Connor George and Ryan Longstreth
April 4, 2022
Vocal Ensemble, ASO set to have concert

Vocal Ensemble, ASO set to have concert

Ryan Longstreth, Guest Writer
December 3, 2021

Tanzi expresses passion for health

Ryan Longstreth, Guest Writer
November 4, 2021
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