School closed for two more weeks
Paris Lawson, Reporter
March 23, 2020
Governor Tom Wolf has ordered that all schools K-12 in Pennsylvania remain closed for another two weeks. This comes because of the spread of coronavirus in PA. He made the announcement Monday afternoon. "Most of us have not experienced a disruption in daily life of this type ever before. Our commonwealth...
District updates plans for food distribution, backpack program
Livewire Staff
March 17, 2020
Grab and Go Box Lunch Update Box lunches for any child 2-18 will be available tomorrow, March 17 through Friday, March 27, 11:00 AM - 1:00 PM. The Altoona Area Jr. High School will be the main distribution site for the lunches. Lunches will be distributed from the AAJHS Field House Entrance Doors l...
Altoona schools play in String Spectacular
Myah Lear, Reporter
March 5, 2020
The String Spectacular of 2020 took place on Feb. 20. The concert was performed by the elementary school all city orchestra, the junior high seventh grade orchestra, the junior high symphonic orchestra and the high school orchestra. They performed the joint concert at Altoona High School. “I...
Rachel’s closet opens doors
Danielle Bardelang, Reporter
March 3, 2020
Rachel Scott has influenced many people across the world. Students have been influenced to stop bullying and start a chain reaction. AAJHS recently opened Rachel’s Closet on Friday Feb. 21. Rachel’s Closet originated from a school in Pennsylvania wanting to create an atmosphere that made students feel like themselves. ...
Bus behavior affects drivers
Maddie Cowfer, Reporter
March 3, 2020
Riding the bus to school is a part of everyday life for many students. The student code of conduct establishes rules and guidelines for behavior on the buses. Some students might not think anything of what they are doing on the bus, but misbehavior can lead to distracting the bus driver. ...
Ninth grade boys’ basketball team wins final game against Bishop Guilfoyle
Cassidy Klock, Reporter
February 27, 2020
On Feb. 11 the white ninth grade boys' basketball team played their final game against Bishop Guilfoyle in the A gym. The boys beat BG with a final score of 54-42. “It feels pretty amazing to take away that undefeated record from BG. It was a major confidence booster and also it made us feel li...
Bands in Blair County unite
Mykenzi Doran, Reporter
February 19, 2020
At 7 p.m. on Feb 4, nine school bands from Blair County played as one in the Hollidaysburg Area Junior High School auditorium. Lori Scwartz-Reichel, this year's county band guest director, conducted the band while playing five songs. "Fanfare for Justice" by Richard L. Saucedo, "Force Field" by A...
Substitutes in for long periods of time
Danielle Bardelang, Reporter
February 11, 2020
Throughout the school year, some teachers are absent for different periods of time. Long term substitute teachers take positions of all sorts to make sure students are able to continue their education without their everyday teacher. Long-term substitutes are the substitutes who have a teaching po...
GGMF offers volunteer opportunities
Myah Lear, Reporter
February 6, 2020
Honor Society members are looking for some place to volunteer whether it’s for school or just for themselves. The Gloria Gates Memorial Foundation (GGMF) accepts volunteers if they are volunteering for school or for church. The GGMF is a place where elementary students can go to get homework help or...
Dancers share love of art form
Sufana Hamid, Reporter
February 5, 2020
Students are involved in other activities outside of school such as dancing. Dancers must make a time commitment daily. “I’ve been in the same studio since I was three or four years old. I took small little classes. As the years continued, I took more classes and joined the competition team...
Sipes goes undefeated
Danielle Bardelang, Reporter
January 24, 2020
Throughout the year, athletes compete to become better than one another. Luke Sipes was undefeated last year and is on his way to another undefeated wrestling season. “Sipes has a will to win that is unmatched. He outworks everyone and therefore out-wrestles everyone. He has technique which c...
Doran rejoins indoor majorette team
Myah Lear, Reporter
January 21, 2020
After seven years away from the majorettes, ninth grader Kenzi Doran rejoined the indoor majorette team. “Being a majorette is the way not only you twirl but the mindset that you have. You have to be determined and be willing to work and not take failure as your solution, and you have to have pa...