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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
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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

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

The Lighthouse Team is a group of teachers selected by the principal for their leadership roles in school clubs and organizations. They have...

The Next Step. One of the activities the Mountain Movers did was 'See you at the pole' where the group met at the mountain lion and prayed over the school. Pickleball held summer practices with help of volunteers adviser Kelly Sipes brought in.
Courtesy of Madalyn Miller and Addisen McDonald
Taking the next steps for Pickleball and Mountain Movers
Rylie Keagy, Reporter • March 5, 2025

Kelly Sipes was the chorus teacher, as well as the Pickleball club and Mountain Movers adviser. Sipes’ last day at the high school was Feb....

All ears. The freshman and sophomore executive committee led by adviser Thomas Palfey listen to a CORE speaker as she teaches about organ donation.
Students visit CORE to learn about organ donation
Addisen McDonald and Noah DiVentura March 4, 2025

A group of 48 students traveled to Pittsburgh on March 3 to visit the Center for Organ Recovery & Education (CORE) facility and gain knowledge...

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QUICK NEWS

Echo in the Halls: Students answer trivia questions
Echo in the Halls: Students answer trivia questions
Rylan Cagle and Noah DiVentura March 6, 2025

Continue Reading
Gennaro helps two students bring their vision to life in her sculpture and three dimensional design class. The classes worked on sculpting trees out of assorted materials for a project.
Olivia Gennaro joins art department
Emmalee Martyak, Associate Editor • March 6, 2025

Together as one. JV and Varisty line up with one other before the game against Mifflin County.
Celebrating 50 years: Fieldhouse marks half a century of community, sports, legacy
Adrielle McNeal, Reporter • March 5, 2025

On Feb. 10, the school celebrated the 50th anniversary of the construction of the field house.  The...

Up to the podium. During her time at the White House, Christina Battisti helped review documents for the president's conferences. 
Courtesy of Christina Battisti
From the White House to AAHS
Rylie Keagy, Reporter • March 5, 2025

Success. Students pose at Saint Francis University after their regional competition. Several students placed and were recognized with cash prizes and certificates. (Courtesy of David Borst)
Pennsylvania Junior Academy of Science celebrates region success
Charlie Kephart, Editor in Chief • February 13, 2025

On Feb. 8, students from the Pennsylvania Junior Academy of Science (PJAS) club traveled to Saint Francis...

Elected. Wenzel is part of the State Thespian Board for next year and will be able to help plan the next Thesfest conference. He was shocked and excited when they announced his name for the officer position. "I've gotten into more of the technical side of things. I usually just do acting, but I've learned a lot more about the design of stages, design of lighting and a lot of media advertising, too," Wenzel said. (Courtesy of Wenzel)
Thesfest Success: Thespians ‘Break a Leg’ at West Chester University
Melissa Krainer, Reporter • February 13, 2025

On Sept. 12, 1866, the first musical that implemented dance and original music premiered in New York....

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From left to right: sophomore Raylin Eyer. junior Zae Moore, senior Lanie Wilt, senior Melana Eyer.
The road to States: Winter athletes advance
Charlie Kephart, Editor in Chief • March 5, 2025

State Champions. The gymnastics team won first place in the Gold Division at the State competition in Huntingdon. The team's completion of their 15th undefeated season allowed them to win the State Championship title for the second year in a row. "We're proud that we were even able to do it," Weaver said. "We're just thankful. It was a lot of practice, and I think as a team, we became closer as the year went. It was just an overall good way of meeting friends." (Courtesy of Heaster)
Vaulting to victory
Melissa Krainer, Reporter • March 4, 2025

Ten athletes. Twelve meets. Fifteen seasons. One state championship. Merriam Webster defines gymnastics as “physical exercises designed...

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Mountain Echo Voices – Opinion/Editorial

Welcome to the Opinion Section of the Mountain Echo.  These opinions do not represent the opinions of the school or school district but those of the students.

And the Grammy goes to... The Grammys, held Feb. 2, awarded artists in 94 total categories.
The Grammys: A night of both hits and misses
Emmalee Martyak February 13, 2025

Love is in the air. With Valentine's Day around the corner, there is nothing better than curling up with a good romance novel... or fantasy. (Made with Canva.)
Happily ever after
Madison Aboud, Associate Editor • February 11, 2025

Last year, I wrote an article about the best books to read during February.  This year, I decided to continue the tradition and add some new recommendations to the list....

Weekly Cookie. At Cumbl, the flavors change every single week. This week was Semi-Sweet Chocolate Chunks, Jammy Heart, Red Velvet Cupcake, Valentine Confetti, Lemon Glaze and Dirt Cake. (Courtesy of Emma Hovan)
Crumbl cookie ranking
Andie Kephart, Reporter • February 3, 2025

On Feb. 7, Crumbl is opening a new location in Altoona. In light of this occasion, I've decided to rank their cookies, best to worst. But first, let me tell you a little about...

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Prologue. Every book holds a new adventure and you never know what will be waiting within the pages.
Book of the Month
Madison Aboud, Associate Editor • February 23, 2025

February is a time where romance seems to radiate everywhere. I’m a romance reader to my core, but sometimes I’m not interested in reading about a happily ever after....

Editorial Cartoon
Editorial Cartoon
Mattie Baker, Associate Editor • January 31, 2025

A person pays using their cell phone with the instant electronic payment mode known as PIX, at a store in Rio de Janeiro, Brazil April 1, 2024. REUTERS/Pilar Olivares
Letter to the Editor: Cell Phones
Dante Diehl, Contributor • February 25, 2025

This is a letter on why kids should have phones on our person in school, and I will go through three...

Podcast Corner
For many groups, special homerooms were key to bring members together. Now, however, this has been cut off.
Bring back special homerooms
Editorial Board March 3, 2025

At the end of the 2023-24 school year, many had come to accept that, for the 2024-25 school year, there would not be any special homerooms. Instead,...

Now playing. "The House" is a Netflix Special. The movie ran for 97 minutes.
Last night’s movie [5]
Emmalee Martyak and Mattie Baker February 26, 2025

The house is always there, what really matters is who happens to find themselves within its walls. “The House” (2022) is a stop motion...

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