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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
What You Need To Know
  • May 10Announcements for 05/10/24
  • May 10Lunch for 05/10/24 - Hot Ham & Cheese on Pretzel Bun
  • May 10Breakfast for 05/13/24 - Waffles
  • May 9Announcements for 05/09/24
  • May 9Breakfast for 05/10/24 - Biscuit with Sausage Gravy
  • May 9Lunch for 05/09/24 - Turkey Stack, Mashed Potatoes
  • May 8Lunch for 05/08/24 - Chimichurri Pork Tacos, Refried Beans
The Student News Site of Altoona Area High School

Mountain Echo

The Student News Site of Altoona Area High School

Mountain Echo

Money makers. After this school year, prices of Gardeners will be raised. These classic boxes will be less known come next year.
Money melting away
Megan Shultz, Associate Editor • May 13, 2024

Beginning next school year, the price of Gardener’s Candies will be raised. Students can purchase Peanut Butter Meltaways for $2, Chocolate...

Senior sneak peek. A senior decorates her parking spot during the 2023 Senior Week. Parking spot and car decorating have been a key part of the schools Senior Week (photo courtesy of Megan Shultz).
Senior week to take place week of May 20
Mattie Baker, Reporter • May 9, 2024

When high school alumni Jocelyn Fetter and Benjamin Blackie first created Senior Week, they didn’t expect it to turn into a high school tradition,...

Trip Ready. Senior Mackenzie Colabove shows off her art skills as she designed shirts for last years trip in New York.
Music department plans spring trip
Eric Weyant, Reporter • May 9, 2024

On May 24, the music department will host an annual trip to a location on the east coast. Last year was a trip to New York for a Broadway show....

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The mind behind it all. Sarah Saylor laid the ground work for music classes to become weighted. (Courtesy of Sarah Saylor)
Musical persuasion: Sarah Saylor's journey for weighted music classes
Madison Aboud, Associate Editor • May 15, 2024

It began as just an idea.  Senior Sarah Saylor was the driving force in having music classes be weighted.  “I first went to Mr. Detwiler with my idea and created...

Swing into action. Students and staff are encouraged to join the new pickleball club advised by music teacher Kelly Sipes.
Students, staff take to the courts in new pickleball club
Cevin Dively, Reporter • May 15, 2024

The pickleball club, advised by music teacher Kelly Sipes, is in full swing. Students and staff have...

Pennsylvania Junior Academy of Science is one of the few clubs funded by this budget. (Courtesy of Dave Borst)
School district budgets funds
Charlie Kephart, Associate Editor • May 10, 2024

With over $100 million in the General Fund Budget for the 2023-2024 school year, the district created...

Students signed up for Toona Tune Up will participate rain or shine in order to clean up the city.
DeShong to run her last Toona Tune Up
Gracie Gioiosa, Reporter • May 10, 2024

On May 28, roughly 250 juniors and seniors will embark across Altoona with 31 teachers to clean up Altoona....

Victory! Physical Education Chairperson Thomas Palfey wins the second annual March Madness Competition. 
(Courtesy of Olivia McMinn.)
Humble winnings: Thomas Palfey wins March Madness competition
Madison Aboud, Associate Editor • May 10, 2024

  On April 3, the Climate and Culture squad began hosting the second annual March Madness competition,...

The Gateway clipper sails under the Fort Pitt Bridge while students watch the city on the top deck.
Sailing through Pittsburgh
Lila Benjamin, Reporter • May 8, 2024

On April 24, French students and students from Hollidaysburg traveled to Pittsburgh to attend the Gateway...

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Take down, Gilbert has a newspaper hung in his room showcasing 2023-24 Altoona Mirror wrestling all-stars. There are three girls who appear in this photo, showing girls can wrestle too.
Girls wrestling in the ring
Abigail Rudy, Reporter • May 9, 2024

Sophomore Akira Kenawell is making her move by trying to start a girls’ wrestling team. “I want to start a girls’ team because I have an interest in wrestling, and...

Guarding the ball. Freshman Raylin Eyer blocks the opposing team from shooting into the hoop and gaining points.
Lady Lions prepare for summer league at YMCA
Lydia Beltz, Guest Reporter • May 8, 2024

Summer is right around the corner which means so are summer sports. The sports program is widely recognized by people, but summer sports aren’t...

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Mountain Echo Voices
Ominous. Every day, students sign onto Skyward to check their grades. Cyber students are now exception to this rule, as it is even harder to keep track of assignments in cyber school.
Cyber schooling promotes complacency
Lincoln Frank, Reporter • May 16, 2024

With its flexibility and convenience, internet learning has become a competitive alternative in the ever-changing educational scene. But as we learn more about its dynamics,...

Students can find out more about the Upward Bound program at https://equity.psu.edu/offices/upward-bound
Upward Bound provides opportunity for first generation students
Addisen McDonald, Reporter • May 16, 2024

Upward Bound projects provide academic instruction in mathematics, sciences, composition, literature and foreign languages for first generation students. This program was...

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.
How and why to waitress in high school
Olivia G McMinn May 10, 2024

Many high school students hold jobs, saving up money for the prodigious expense of college and/or financial independence after high school. Among pecuniary benefits, some...

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Books through music. Comparing novels that must be read in school to popular and well known songs.
April Book of the Month
Madison Aboud, Associate Editor • April 4, 2024

For this Book of the Month, I have decided I am going to try something new. Along with being a massive bookworm, I also have always had a major love of music of all genres....

Editorial Cartoon
Editorial Cartoon
Georgia Zlupko, Guest Reporter • March 4, 2024

Letter to the Editor: Transgender struggles
Letter to the Editor: Transgender struggles
Theo Kessling, Contributor • March 1, 2024
Biggest loser competition benefits students, faculty
Biggest loser competition benefits students, faculty
Editorial Board April 30, 2024

From March 11 to May 17, staff members in groups of four go against one another in a competition to lose the most percentage of weight. The competition...

Get set. Freshman, Jill Long and sophomore, Brooklyn Weaver get ready to run the 100 m dash. Weaver placed in the top 10, sending her into finals.
Mountain Lion Classic
Addisen McDonald May 9, 2024

Today's Weather


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May 19
74°/ 49°
Partly Cloudy
May 20
79°/ 50°
Sunny
May 21
82°/ 51°
Patchy rain nearby
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The Student News Site of Altoona Area High School