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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
Stayley Drenning

Stayley Drenning, Reporter

Hey! I’m Stayley Drenning, and I am on the AAHS Mountain Echo staff. I’ve enjoyed writing for as long as I can remember, and I am so excited that I can finally share what I do. Other activities at the school that I am involved in include: Drama Club, Student Council, Student Ambassador, Circle of Friends,  Chorus, and Foreign Language Club. In my free time I enjoy painting, listening to music, and hanging out with my friends. My all time favorite movie is Titanic, and I love the band Why Don’t We.

All content by Stayley Drenning
Seniors Jane Fox and Bella Getty perform “the other side” from the "Greatest Showman" at last year's miscast.

[Photo] Drama to perform “Joseph and the Amazing Technicolor Dreamcoat”

Mack Callan and Lila Benjamin
February 1, 2024
We did it. Future Business Leaders of America members Webster, Houp, Balog advance to Nationals. The competition will occur during the week of June 26.

FBLA members advance to Nationals

Stayley Drenning, Reporter
May 17, 2023
What do you get. The vocal ensemble performs part of 16 Tons by Tennessee Ernie Ford at rehearsal. The vocal ensemble will perform six pieces.

Chorus students to perform in spring concert

Stayley Drenning, Reporter
May 4, 2023
Morning Meetings. The student council meets before school and has meetings. They pose for a picture, waiting for the meeting to start.

Student Council accepts applications for officer positions

Madalyn Miller and Stayley Drenning
April 28, 2023
Just keep walking. Upward Bound members traveled to Penn State University on Saturday April 22. Students explored engineering programs, and ended the trip with ice cream from the creamery.

Upward Bound returns after 15 years

Stayley Drenning, Reporter
April 26, 2023
Look ahead. Makenzie Negri announces important dates in the upcoming weeks to her class. Negri is an American History teacher.

History students watch story of Emmett Till

Stayley Drenning, Reporter
April 6, 2023
Every penny counts. Sophomore Andrea Slusser donates $5 to one of the jars. Pennies for Pets ran from March 13 to March 17.

Student council raises money for the local Humane Society through Pennies for Pets

Stayley Drenning, Reporter
March 22, 2023
Sing, sing, sing. Junior Leiya Resig goes to chorus class. She has chorus during fourth period.

[Photo] What do students do in their free time?

March 1, 2023
Bark, meow. Pennies for Pets raises money for the Central Pa. Humane Society. The humane society is located on 1837 E Pleasant Valley Blvd, Altoona, PA 16602.

Pennies for pets to return

Stayley Drenning, Reporter
March 2, 2023

What do students do in their free time?

Stayley Drenning, Reporter
March 1, 2023
Working hard. Junior Claire Piper works on her chorus assignment. Piper has chorus during fourth period.

Students home, school lives affect one another

Stayley Drenning, Reporter
February 24, 2023
For forever. Junior Jaidyn Paladini performed "For Forever" from Broadway musical Dear Evan Hansen. Dear Evan Hansen's last show was Sept. 18 of last year.

Miscast

Stayley Drenning, Reporter
February 13, 2023
Looking cute. Valentine cards made by student council members sit waiting distribution. Cards will be delivered to residents for Valentine's Day.

Valentines’ made for Garvey Manor residents

Stayley Drenning, Reporter
February 3, 2023
Let's get started. Senior Ben Kennedy kicked off the night with his performance of "I Feel Pretty" from Broadway musical West Side Story. Kennedy is president of the drama club.

What happens then. Junior Ryan Longstreth perfomed "When He See Me" from Broadway musical Waitress. Longstreth was joined by sophomore Sky Rutherford and Senior Gracie Crider.

Very manly muppet. Junior Ava Rokosky and junior Leah St. Croix performed “Man or Muppet” from the movie The Muppets.

Right here, right now. Junior Jane Fox and junior Bella Getty performed “The Other Side” from The Greatest Showman. The Greatest Showman was released in 2017.

To freedom. Senior Keira Mayhue, senior Gracie Crider and sophomore Sky Rutherford performed “The Story of Tonight” from the Broadway musical Hamilton. Hamilton’s first performance was Jan. 20, 2015.

Who I am. Freshman Charles Dantos performed "Reflections" from Broadway musical Mulan. Mulan was originally a Disney movie, but was later turned into a Broadway show.

Sincerely, me. Sophomore Jillian Pierannunzio, sophomore Olivia Behe, and junior Claire Piper performedthe hit song "Sincerely, Me" from Broadway musical Dear Evan Hansen. Dear Evan Hansen was on Broadway for six years.

On your own. Senior Keira Mayhue and senior Gracie Crider performed “What You Own” from the Broadway musical Rent. Rent opened on Jan. 25, 1996.

Grand finale. Benjamin Cossitor and his father performed a duet as the finale act. Cossitor's father is in charge of the music for this year's musical.

Double check. Student council members check the expiration date on donated items before placing them in the basket. The baskets were filled based on a list of items they needed to contain.

Student council distributes holiday food baskets

Stayley Drenning, Reporter
January 18, 2023
Let me help. Senior Cameron Krause helps senior Joshua Miller build the base of the set.

Fall play set build

Stayley Drenning, Reporter
January 12, 2023
Watch closely. Circle of Friends Club members and advisers watch an informal video about the sport of bocce ball.

First bocce team organized

Stayley Drenning, Reporter
December 15, 2022
Listen closely. David Borst explains what the tasks will be for building the set.

Make it shine. Cast and crew work on untangling the lights for the boards.

Let's get sorting. Cast and crew members work on organizing costumes.

Look at this. Sophomore Olivia Behe shows fellow cast and crew what they were working on.

1, 2, 3, go. Volunteers come together to help place the stairs in the correct place.

Need a hand. David Borst is helped by set volunteers.

Get into it. Sophomore Emma Lunglhofer crouches inside set piece to properly screw it to the platform.

Keep steady. David Borst adjusts a piece of the board before attaching it to the set.

Let's get moving. Local senior citizens dance to music played by the AAHS jazz band.

First senior citizen dance held after Covid hiatus

Stayley Drenning, Reporter
December 1, 2022
Listen closely. David Borst explains to cast and crew the game plan for building the set.

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Come on in. Applebee's is located in the Logan Valley Mall. It will be moving to a new location on Pleasant Valley Boulevard in from of Martins soon.

Student employees manage education, jobs

Stayley Drenning, Reporter
November 10, 2022
Tell us more. Sophomore Reece Myers talks to classmates Nolan Brennan and Anthony Forlina about the jazz band's involvement in the dance.

Student council brings back senior citizen dance

Stayley Drenning, Reporter
November 3, 2022
Time for a challenge. Sophomores Oriana Dent and Olivia Noel try to guess how many cheeseballs are in the container.

Circle of Friends Meeting 10/20/22

Stayley Drenning, Reporter
October 24, 2022
Pay attention. David Borst explains to the set crew the design of the set.

Fall play sign ups increase

Stayley Drenning, Reporter
October 11, 2022
Get ready. Vocal Ensemble adviser Kelly Sipes poses with an official Vocal Ensemble shirt. The Vocal Ensemble is set to perform at the Sept. 9 and Sept. 19 football games.

Vocal Ensemble to sing at football games

Stayley Drenning, Reporter
September 7, 2022
Twenty acts performed at this year's talent show. The show returned after a two year hiatus due to Covid.

Talent show provides opportunities for students to show hidden talents 

Stayley Drenning , Guest Reporter
March 16, 2022
As he waits to be adopted into his forever home, Bindi the brown and tan pitbull smiles at the camera. Bindi has been at the shelter longer than most of the animals there. “...he’s one of the dogs that has been there the longest,” Hogan said.

Student Council organizes Pennies for Puppies

Stayley Drenning, Guest Reporter
January 17, 2022
After school pottery with King resumes

After school pottery with King resumes

Stayley Drenning, Guest Writer
December 3, 2021
Klock writes her way through high school

Klock writes her way through high school

Stayley Drenning, Guest Writer
November 4, 2021
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Stayley Drenning