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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
  • May 22Breakfast 05/22/25 - Egg and Cheese Croissant
  • May 22Lunch 05/22/25 - BBQ Pulled Pork Sandwich
  • May 22Announcements for 05/22/25
  • May 21Breakfast 05/21/25 - Breakfast on a Stick
The Student News Site of Altoona Area High School

Mountain Echo
The Student News Site of Altoona Area High School

Mountain Echo
Mack Callan

Mack Callan, Reporter

Ever since I got to take Intro To Pub my junior year, I’ve loved writing and having my writing out on the website made me happy that I could have people see it. I was upset that I didn’t start earlier with what I enjoyed but I’m really glad that I’m now able to. Other than writing, I also am in the drama club.

All content by Mack Callan
Trophies. James Krug held the student and teacher trophy until it was awarded.

Madness is out: 59 teachers, one principal and four seniors finish March Madness competition

Mack Callan, Reporter
April 17, 2025
Cottage Cheese. Container filled with nothing but cotton balls and a small balloon.

Timers. Louren Callens, ..., Maya... time the first trail egg drop to see if they can move on to the banister drop.

New student Huyen Nquyen poses in the hall. Nguyen moved to this school recently from Vietnam.

Vietnamese student navigates new country mid-year

Mack Callan, Reporter
March 25, 2025
Open your book. Leader in Me session book, that every grade has.

[Photo] Shaping tomorrow’s leaders through ‘Leader in Me’ classes

March 13, 2025
Connections. Teachers involved with the Lighthouse team get a book with sessions and information.

Lighthouse team continues to pave way forward for Leader in Me program

Mack Callan, Reporter
March 6, 2025
Winner. Junior Aly Sipes wins an award at a speech league competition. Students who enjoy Introduction to Public Speaking are encouraged to join the speech league. (Courtesy of Addisen McDonald)

Introduction to Public Speaking class teaches life lessons

Mack Callan, Reporter
January 27, 2025
Reminders. Officer Gregory McNeal stands under origami paper birds hung on the second floor banister. Art students originally started them to honor the two students who passed away.

Officers discuss dangerous habits with driving

Mack Callan, Reporter
December 18, 2024
Standing happily. Rachel Kennedy will be competing on Jan. 22 and is excited about the pieces. This will be her last year competing.

Disrict band to compete

Mack Callan, Reporter
December 18, 2024
Standing proudly. Lesse Brucksche and Guillermo Pezzi Arroyo stood outside their English class with Jessica Patton. Brucksche and Arroyo are exchange students this year.

Different nationalities, same high school experience

Mack Callan, Reporter
November 21, 2024
Meting Space. One of the many conference rooms used for suspected students. Tenth grade principal Erik Dambeck's conference room is used to meet privately with students.

Mandatory drug, alcohol tests implemented

Mack Callan, Reporter
November 21, 2024
Smiling brightly. Pleasant Valley alumni Mark Harrington, Max Chille, Sophia Feigh, Baylin Smith, and Brylin Rovzer posing for a picture. These students helped run the event.

Pleasant Valley Elementary invites high school students

Mack Callan, Reporter
October 23, 2024
In practice. senior Laura Reed performs, alongside the other cheerleaders. Sophomore Kinsley Palilla waits to the side for support.

Patiently waiting. PSU student teacher Matthew McMullen waits for the kids to come into to the gym. To occupy the time, other student teachers and McMullen played catch.

Excitement. Cheerleaders wait patiently to perform for the students. Several cheerleaders traveled to Pleasant Valley on Oct. 10 for this event.

Striking a pose. PSU student teachers line up together for a picture. The student teachers played a large role in the preparation of this event.

Returning once more. Sophomore Kinsley Palilla looks out to the elementary students. Palilla takes part in the high school cheerleading squad.

Kick off. Grades kindergarten through fifth patiently waiting for the assembly to start off. The event was held in the school's gym.

Working together. Fourth graders start reading out a line on teamwork. The assembly promoted beneficial values to the students.

Silent moment. Fourth graders start symbolizing what they call the 'silent coyote' to help the teachers quiet the other students.The students learned various things at this assembly.

Fourth graders start reading out a line on teamwork.

Teamwork. The fourth graders use a tarp and a can of soda to demonstrate controlling their feelings. This was one of several demonstrations put on.

Anticipation. Cheerleaders look out at the elementary football players huddled to reveal the new trophy for the year. The trophy will be awarded to one of the classes.

Watching closely. Jamaine Thomas, Max Chille, Mark Harrington, Branson Adams, Max Steele, Markell Herr and Amar Emeigh-Ballos look out at the students sitting on the floor. Football players and cheerleaders both took part in this event.

Cheering away. Laura Reed, Hailey Woomer, Baylin Smith, Brynley Rouzer, Kenzie Wilt, and Kinsley Palilla encouraged students during their performance.

Loud and proud. Laura Reed, Hailey Woomer, Baylin Smith, Brynley Rouzer, Kenzie Wilt, and Kinsley Palilla cheer for the students.

Showing off. Fifth grade teacher Daniel Disabato holds up the trophy to show it off. Disabato got the students excited about their new WIG initiative.

Wilt and Reed have fun as they watch the teachers and students playing cornhole. They enjoyed spending time with the elementary students.

Alma Mater. Amer Emiegh-Ballos, Jamaine Thomas, Markell Herr and Mark Harrington watch as the students take part in the event. The football players reminisced on their time at their elementary school.

Playing hard. Students reach out to catch a football. The assembly had interactive elements, such as students volunteering for demonstrations.

The Homecoming candidates pose for a photo after a meeting the week before Homecoming week. (Courtesy of Tristan Sunderland-Ebersole)

25 candidates compete for Homecoming crown

Charlie Kephart, Madison Aboud, Rylan Cagle, Noah DiVentura, Adrielle McNeal, Haven Femea, Mack Callan, Emma Hovan, and Andie Kephart
September 26, 2024
Therapy dog Rusty, chilling out in Wanda Vanish's class.

Therapy dog days continue

Mack Callan, Reporter
September 11, 2024
Students perform at last year's showing of "42nd Street."

Drama to perform “Joseph and the Amazing Technicolor Dreamcoat”

Mack Callan and Lila Benjamin
February 1, 2024
Mattie Baker’s Writing Journey: Taking journalism further

Mattie Baker’s Writing Journey: Taking journalism further

Mack Callan, Guest Reporter
December 5, 2023
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