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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 21Breakfast 11/21/24 - Bacon, Egg and Cheese Croissant
  • November 21Lunch 11/21/24 - Roasted Turkey, Stuffing, Mashed Potatoes and Corn
  • November 21Announcements for 11/21/24
  • November 20Breakfast 11/20/24 - French Toast Griddle
  • November 20Lunch 11/20/24 - Tacos with Refried Beans
  • November 20Announcements for 11/20/24
  • November 19Breakfast 11/19/24 - Cheese Omelette with Toast
The Student News Site of Altoona Area High School

Mountain Echo
The Student News Site of Altoona Area High School

Mountain Echo
Olivia McMinn

Olivia McMinn, Reporter

My name is Olivia McMinn, and I’m a senior here at AAHS. This is my second year writing for the Mountain Echo; however, this year I am also the editor in chief of the Horseshoe yearbook. I am excited for both opportunities this year because I enjoy writing, working on new ideas and helping others. Outside my academic life, I am also a member of the track and tennis teams. In my free time, when I’m not playing tennis, you can find me with my dog, a good book and a large cup of coffee.

All content by Olivia McMinn
Coworkers Coworkers can often make or break a job experience; they help out when the job is tough, and they make time fly when the job is boring. My coworkers have helped me adjust to my job so much easier and have made it an enjoyable experience for me.

[Photo] How and why to waitress in high school

Olivia G McMinn
May 10, 2024
Get ready. Juniors Courtney Irwin and Isabella Graham prepare for a tennis match to start.

[Photo] The underrated brilliance of tennis

Alyssa Clapper, Guest Reporter
May 9, 2024
Work for worksheets Students are often given many worksheets to complete a night to cram for the FRQ portion of the AP test.

[Photo] AP Students prepare for testing season

Olivia G McMinn, Reporter
April 25, 2024
Suprised Smile Sophmores Aiden Aiken and Sydney Wilber laugh after hearing the news that they had won the State video competition. The third member, Parker Huey-Kish, could not make the meeting that day due to illness.

[Photo] Sophomore team wins state organ donor video competition

Olivia G McMinn and Addisen McDonald
April 19, 2024
Bell Boots Orbiter (Obie) McMinn poses for a picture after eating some hay from the round bale. He wore orange bell boots to protect his hooves and his shoes during the muddy spring weather.

Kevin Givens signs the back of physical education teacher Tom Palfey's jersey. Although Palfey does not collect autographed jerseys, he was excited for this particular autograph.

[Photo] The man I am today: Kevin Givens speaks with students about his rise to success

Madison Aboud, Associate Editor
April 17, 2024
Playing Around. Sophomores Roan Greaser and Gavin Dunkle play with a football in the school store. The two boys accompany Senior Derron Jones while he works the store and takes care of customers.

Prospective Quill and Scroll members fill out applications to apply for the society. Members must be a part of one of the three journalism staffs, uphold a higher than B average, and show a significant contribution to the staff.

Quill and Scroll Induction set for April 22

Olivia McMinn, Reporter
April 1, 2024
Band Bash will offer attendees a look at students' performances from when they first start playing, and will follow as they gather more experience.

[Photo] Wind ensemble to perform in band bash

Emmalee Martyak, Reporter
March 7, 2024
Tradition Advisor Deidra Dumm shows the chapter's book that has been signed by every class since 1977. The original book, started in 1929, was lost when the club when on a hiatus in 1938. AAHS went without a Honors Society club until 1977 when it was started back up again.

National Honor Society continues tradition after decades

Olivia McMinn, Reporter
March 1, 2024
In the zone. Horseshoe Yearbook staff member Aleah Layton practices photography during a session with Chuck Meyers.

[Photo] Here to Stay

Madison Aboud, Associate Editor
February 24, 2024
Yearbook students watching a video on photography basics while unknowingly demonstrating the exact photography principal while I snag a picture.

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
Setting up for fun. Teachers set up for the Friendsgiving held on Nov. 21.

[Photo] Academic Adventurers

Madison Aboud, Associate Editor
November 30, 2023
Move to the Music. Librarian Tanya Lucas stretches out her arm while dancing to the music. This dance fitness event took place in the field house after school Nov. 9.

Teachers take on Zumba

Olivia McMinn, Reporter
November 21, 2023
On Altoona. The marching band and band fronts perform for parents and friends at the annual Bandarama concert.

[Photo] Band to perform in Veteran’s Day Parade

Jaidyn Palladini, Editor in Chief
November 8, 2023
Wilson Entertains Rainn Wilson visits the Penn State Altoona Campus as a part of their Guest Speaker series. Wilson not only shared his persepctives on life, but also told jokes and stories, engendering laughs from his crowd.

Actor Rainn Wilson visits Penn State Altoona

Olivia McMinn, Reporter
October 30, 2023
New teacher Laura Brubaker works with her fourth period class.

Dynamic Duo. Juniors Courtney Irwin and Isabella Graham smile for a photo directly after winning their match against Mifflin County. The two practice and prepare to team up in the district doubles competition.

Girls’ tennis takes on District competition

Olivia McMinn, Reporter
October 2, 2023
New Style! Students' grade levels are now easily spotted by the color of lanyard they wear. Seniors wear black, juniors wear white, sophmores wear maroon, freshman wear grey.

High school implements new lanyards

Olivia McMinn, Reporter
September 11, 2023
Tennis player from the girls' tennis team practices for the upcoming season.

[Photo] Girls varsity tennis plays at Mansion Park

Abigail Rudy, Reporter
September 7, 2022
Signing out, After 35 years of being involved in education, Dave Bufalini declared his retirement. He looks forward to having a more relaxed schedual.

Principal Bufalini announces retirement

Olivia McMinn, Reporter
May 13, 2022
Narrow chase, Junior Alex Yost, Sophmore Josiah Treece and Freshman Zion Patterson. The cold conditions of that day made the race extra challeging.

Track meet against Central Mountain on 4/21

Olivia McMinn, Reporter
May 9, 2022
Blossoming, The canoe creek fieldtrip provides a day to get out and enjoy nature. Canoe Creek state park has a multitude of trails and water features.

Physical education students to attend Canoe Creek field trip

Olivia McMinn, Reporter
May 2, 2022
Masked up, Sophmore Isabella Graham shows off her mask. She wears her mask to protect those around her.

Students continue to wear masks after mandate is lifted

Olivia McMinn, Reporter
April 28, 2022
Strike out, Sophmore Kayla Delozier pitches. The team hopes to take home a win on their Saturday game.

Altoona hosts first annual softball strikeout for cancer

Olivia McMinn, Reporter
April 13, 2022
Serve's up, Junior Mason Crownover serves his ball for the match. Crownover is also a member of the varsity team.

Boys’ tennis season brings high competition

Olivia McMinn, Reporter
March 31, 2022
Teaching teachers, On March 15th Shara Mcallum met with english teachers in the library to give them tips on teaching poetry. She held two sessions with teachers answering their questions.

Poet Shara McCallum visits AAHS

Olivia McMinn, Reporter
March 22, 2022
Strong Form Senior Jason Car-Keefe uses form while passing to his partner.

First Spring sports games scheduled to start

Olivia McMinn, Reporter
March 18, 2022
Take a breath, Sophomore Alexis Fraundorfer swam the 200 IM. She finished in sixth place.

Swimming Districts at Holidaysburg

Olivia McMinn, Reporter
March 10, 2022
The pool, located in the 'A' building field house, needs a few renovations. The renovations influence the swim team, however. Coaches and athletes don't want to miss the practices leading up to their District competition.

Damaged pool demands renovations

Olivia McMinn, Reporter
March 4, 2022
Collecting cereal. The back of James Lowe's classroom is filled with cereal his students have brought in. Lowe tries to use that cereal drive as an oppertunity to teach students to do good things for the community.

Cereal drive supports community

Olivia McMinn, Reporter
February 17, 2022
Signing up Seniors from AAHS sign on to play sports for college. Because of the NCAA change, they will be able to make a profit off of their NIL (name, image, likeness)

College athletes now able to make profit from sports

Olivia McMinn, Reporter
February 4, 2022
Love to help. Jennifer Lowe and Jim Lowe have first hand experience with organ donation. Mr. Lowe needed an organ transplant and his wife signed up for live organ donation.

Students, staff explain importance of Donor Day

Olivia McMinn and Destiny Montgomery
January 24, 2022
Schools should do more to prepare students for their future

Schools should do more to prepare students for their future

Olivia McMinn, Reporter
January 24, 2022
Holiday Symphonic Orchestra Dress Rehearsal

Holiday Symphonic Orchestra Dress Rehearsal

Olivia McMinn, Reporter
January 13, 2022
Working hard. Sophmores Tyler Kowalski and Bron Mosley work on a project. They work together and converse about their project, attempting to get everything done.

Group projects waste students’ time

Olivia McMinn, Reporter
December 8, 2021
Workin’ together. Juniors Ethan Dennis (left), Julia McCauley (right) and Owen Smithmyer (middle) work on their English work together. The students worked throughout sixth period making sure their work was perfect for the teacher.

Are group projects beneficial for students?

Eli Peteuil and Olivia McMinn
December 8, 2021
Catching up Senior Mackenzie Kelley pulls ahead of her competitor. Kelley qualified for the State Competition for her fourth year in a row.

Four cross country runners compete at States

Olivia McMinn, Reporter
November 10, 2021
Walk in The counselor’s office is located on the second floor of the B building. Wasko and Johannides can be found in their offices and are happy to assist with any student needs.

New guidance counselors join department

Olivia McMinn, Reporter
October 28, 2021
Hitting Fast Junior Morgan Stevens returns a hard ball during the district match. Stevens is playing singles, which means she is playing without a partner.

Girls Tennis Districts at Hollidaysburg

Olivia McMinn, Reporter
October 20, 2021
Thinking hard Sophomore Connor Matoziuk and junior Alyssa Clark practice for their meet in Scholastic Scrimmage. The students listened to questions in hopes to gain more knowledge and do well in competitions.

Scholastic Scrimmage team maintains undefeated season

Olivia McMinn, Reporter
October 13, 2021
Listen up! Jake Colledge coaches freshman Kendall Gates at their tennis match. Colledge led the team as a first year head tennis coach

New tennis coach leads players to 10-3 record

Olivia McMinn, Reporter
September 30, 2021
Hello Hoco! Kathryn Curry sells tickets for the homecoming dance on Sept. 29. Curry has been in charge of the homecoming committee in past years.

Masks required for Homecoming events

Olivia McMinn, Reporter
September 28, 2021
Teaching Up Alyssa Weidlich teaches her sophomore honors English class. Weidlich returned to AAHS to teach after being a former student. She is happy to be back to the school that feels like home to her.

Alyssa Weidlich

Olivia McMinn, Reporter
September 16, 2021
Happy Teacher Maria Tyger is happy to be a new member of the faculty at Altoona. She teaches English and loves working with special education kids.

Maria Tyger

Olivia McMinn, Reporter
September 16, 2021
Social media changes childhoods

Social media changes childhoods

Olivia McMinn, Guest Reporter
May 5, 2021
Olive Garden provides delicious meals to all

Olive Garden provides delicious meals to all

Olivia McMinn, Guest Reporter
April 14, 2021
Teacher vaccinations essential

Teacher vaccinations essential

Olivia McMinn, Reporter
March 26, 2021
Caleb Marasco is a first year math teacher at the high school. He is a graduate of the Altoona Area School District himself and is happy to be returning to his hometown.

Marasco joins staff as new math teacher

Olivia McMinn, Guest Writer
February 5, 2021
Warm up! Violinists Hannah McGuire and Aeryal Palazzi practice last minute right before they go on stage. They are two of many violinists practicing. (PHOTO TAKEN DURING 2019-2020 SCHOOL YEAR)

Orchestra spreads holiday cheer during Pandemic

Olivia McMinn, Guest Writer
December 18, 2020
Scavenger hunt Jocelyn Fetter and Layla Shelow pose with the lion statue as they take photos for a scavenger hunt competition. Fetter's team won the friendly competition.

Fetter expresses love for journalism

Olivia McMinn, Guest Reporter
November 18, 2020
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