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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
  • November 4Breakfast 11/04/24 - Dutch Waffle
  • November 4Lunch 11/04/24 - Ham and Cheese on a Pretzel
  • November 4Announcements for 11/04/24
  • October 31Happy Halloween!
  • October 31Breakfast 10/31/24 - Bacon, Egg and Cheese Croissant
  • October 31Lunch 10/31/24 - Beef and Cheese Nachos
  • October 31Announcements for 10/31/24
The Student News Site of Altoona Area High School

Mountain Echo

The Student News Site of Altoona Area High School

Mountain Echo

Ben Blackie

Ben Blackie, Editor In Chief

Hi! I’m Ben Blackie and I’m a senior at AAHS. This year, I am the Editor in Chief of the Mountain Echo. I took on the role my junior year, and I’m excited to see what this year's staff and I can accomplish. My interests include photography and social media. I enjoy portrait and landscape photography. My favorite thing about portrait photography is being able to express emotion through the picture. My favorite part about photography is the editing process and being able to transform an image into something better. If you’re interested in seeing my work you can visit my website, https://www.benblackiephotography.com/, or my Instagram, @benblackiephotography. After high school, I hope to become a high school teacher and pursue photography as a side job. Besides being involved in news writing, I am also a part of the yearbook staff, student council and football. On offense, I play guard and on defense, I play defensive end. I recently finished the show 'Shameless' on Netflix. My favorite movie is 'Dark Shadows.' I enjoy all types of music, but my favorite genre is alternative rock/indie. I also enjoy creating playlists on Spotify to suit different moods or feelings I may be in. 

All content by Ben Blackie
Best Netflix original series

Best Netflix original series

Ben Blackie, Editor In Chief
February 5, 2021
Teachers' union to hold food drive

Teachers’ union to hold food drive

Ben Blackie, Editor in chief
February 2, 2021
On Jan. 26, the school board held a special meeting to discuss the return of students. In a 7-2 vote, the board voted for elementary to return with hybrid model on Feb. 8. Secondary to return with hybrid model on Feb 16.

School board holds special meeting

Ben Blackie, Editor In Chief
January 26, 2021
Run! Senior Mallory Cree runs down the court during the Jan. 12 game. The girls won 56 to 11.

Athletes return to practices, games

Ben Blackie, Editor In Chief
January 22, 2021
IMG_5162

I simply love: Exploring

Ben Blackie, Editor In Chief
January 12, 2021
Perez learns more about his heritage

Perez learns more about his heritage

Ben Blackie, Editor in chief
January 8, 2021
Welcome! 2020 graduate, Gianna Marasco leads a meeting. This year the president is Danielle Mueller.

Student council membership surges

Ben Blackie, Editor in Chief
December 18, 2020
Moving on to bigger things.
Senior Benjamin Blackie will attend Penn State University after high school. Blackie plans on majoring in Early Childhood Education.

[Photo] “I’m in”

Sydney Wilfong, Reporter
December 18, 2020
New camera policy introduced

New camera policy introduced

Ben Blackie, Editor In Chief
December 9, 2020
Snip. Moss cuts someone's hair during her CTC cosmetology class. Moss has been in enrolled at the GACTC for three years. THIS  PHOTO WAS TAKEN DURING THE 2018-2019 SCHOOL YEAR.

GACTC remains hybrid since August 

Ben Blackie, Editor In Chief
November 18, 2020
We did it! The football team poses for a picture with the D6 championship trophy. This was the first time in 18 years that the Mt. Lions were able to win the D6 game.

Football wins D6 championship

Ben Blackie, Editor In Chief
November 10, 2020
Shoot! Junior Becca Dull passes the ball to a teammate during the Oct. 2 game. The Mountain Lions competed against Dubois and won 4-0.

Girls’ soccer ranked #1 in state

Ben Blackie, Editor In Chief
October 27, 2020
AASD closed two more weeks

AASD closed two more weeks

Ben Blackie, Reporter
March 23, 2020
This ACT session is free for students. Half of test takers will do it on their Chromebooks.

ACT to be held Feb. 8

Ben Blackie, Reporter
February 7, 2020
Go team! The team gets pumped up before they have to start competing. The team does this every meet.

Gymnasts win home opener

Ben Blackie, Reporter
December 13, 2019
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Ben Blackie