When a long car trip calls, I respond by packing a backpack full of reading material. On the weekends of February 11th and March 4th, I made the trips to Chicago and Indianapolis respectively for climbing competitions, so I had ample time for bookish pursuits. I’ve elected to use a 5-star rating system for each…
Category: Article
PA/Ohio Border Train Accident – Is the Response Enough?
On February 3 of 2023, there was a train carrying harmful chemicals, it was passing by a small Ohio city called East Palestine. The train derailed from a faulty wheel barring that overheated and caused the chemical spill. Norfolk Southern, the company owning the train, worked with government officials and determined they should burn chemicals…
SHOUT Club Highlights International Women’s Day – Alumni Helping Haitians
At the end of the morning announcements on a 2-hour delay day, and a student spirit PJ day as well, new HS secretary Mrs. Robinson read an announcement written by the SHOUT club to honor International Women’s Day. “Happy International Women’s Day! Today, SHOUT would like to celebrate the amazing women who inspire us to…
2023 March Madness: Pitt V Penn State Rivalry On the Bubble
For Penn State and Pitt fans, they have one more chance to clash it out on social media. Which team will be playing in the March Madness tournament later this month? Pitt fans know the team is seeded 5th in the ACC tournament, so it’s more of a shock if the team doesn’t…
Recent Shootings On High School and College Campuses Highlights Student Desire For More Gun Control
After school on Valentine’s Day, many students at Westinghouse high school ran, cried, screamed, and kept themselves safe instead of driving home or piling into the busses. Some of those same experiences extended out to Michigan State’s campus just 2 days earlier. These two stories of gun crimes had students throughout our school reflecting on…
2023 March Madness: PSU Upsets #21 Maryland Before Big 10 Tourney
Any Penn State fan that is in high school right now has not had a chance to watch PSU in the NCAA tournament ever, since the team last appeared in 2011. With a record of 19-12, the Nittany Lions hopes for the NCAA tournament have increased tremendously, after picking up two straight wins against ranked…
Freshman Wrestler Among 2 On Team To Reach Regionals
Freshman Auston Kosenovich joined junior Luke Hollywood at Altoona High School in March to compete in the PIAA regionals for wrestling. Auston suggested it takes time to adjust in wrestling, which he started at 6 years old. This includes the shift from middle school to high school wrestling, and he finds it important to trust…
Should Presidents Have to Take a Test?
Launching her bit for the presidency, Nikki Haley suggested candidates over the age of 75 should have to complete a mental competency test. Do students here think this is a good idea? Three 9th graders were willing to answer our questions about testing. Owen Dugan argued that a mentally incapable president will “make decisions in…
Would You Work More Hours If Child Labor Laws Changed? Students Share Perspectives After Other States Propose Changes
Several states—including neighboring Ohio, along with Minnesota, Iowa, and Wisconsin—are currently considering adjusting their child labor laws. Although the bills differ from state to state, there are two main components. The bills seek to expand the number of hours that 14 and 15-year-olds are allowed to work. Some states are also considering allowing 16 and…
SHOUT Club Keeps Black History In Sight At AHS In 2023
February is Black History Month, a month-long celebration of Black people’s achievements in American history. Several students worked to make the celebration visible throughout the school. SHOUT club read facts over the announcements, and senior Brayden Wisniewski created posters with Mrs. Hickman. SHOUT, a social justice club, chose several black inventors to highlight for their…