Now that this craft chain is gone, students need alternate locations to obtain materials for Halloween costumes. By: Bruce Thurlow As Halloween approaches, many Albany High School students are considering what to wear; oftentimes, that includes creating handmade pieces. In February of 2025, JoAnn Fabrics across the country permanently closed ...
During this election, five candidates are vying for four open seats on The Albany Unified School District Board of Education. The candidates are Becky Hopwood, Josh Mahoney, Melissa Boyd, David McKinney and Margaret Allen. Hopwood, Mahoney and Boyd are incumbent trustees up for reelection. Allen and McKinney are new candidates. Each candidate has their own reasons for running and what they want to express to voters. Hopwood says, “The responsibility of the school board in general is to represent the voice and vision of the community.” The election is on November 3, and Albany High School students can vote for school board candidates if they are over 16 years old.
Albany High School's leadership has introduced several revisions to this year's Homecoming itinerary. Many new events have been added to the schedule, some in replacement to old events such as the spirit day "Decades Day," and also the co-ed game "Tug of War."
An anonymous Instagram account with the username "ahs_white_culture" sent follow requests to Albany High School students on Oct. 7. The account's posts spreading racist and demeaning content prompted a wave of backlash from classmates who called it “offensive” and “disgusting.” When students saw its reposts and profile picture, they began posting criticism on their own social media. A student says they posted a response to the account because, “I've never been shy to say what was right, and I know there were other people affected by it who didn't feel enough courage to do so.” They add, “[racism] is something that's becoming way too normalized at AHS.” Many students reached out to the school and encouraged others to do the same. In an emailed communication in the afternoon of Oct. 8, Principal Darren McNally stated, “School administrators began investigating as soon as we were made aware of the account. We reviewed the evidence students provided, conducted multiple interviews, and identified the student responsible.”
Albany High School added four sections of a new Emergency Medical Services class this year, available to grades 10 and above. Students in this class will receive certifications such as Electrocardiogram (EKG), Cardiopulmonary Resuscitation (CPR), Emergency Medical Technician (EMT), First Aid, and Stop the Bleed over the course of two to three years.
Albany High School has welcomed a new campus supervisor this year, who also happens to be an AHS alum, Tyler Georgeson-Hartman.
Albany High School is soon installing a brand new, modern, high-tech scoreboard in the gym thanks to an anonymous donor this summer. The donor stepped up and decided to underwrite the whole project for the school.
After placing eighth in nationals in 2025, the Albany High School Ultimate Frisbee team was not satisfied. Returning nearly all of the same players this year, the Cougars bounced back and put up one of the most dominant seasons in high school frisbee history.
Albany High School has welcomed several new teachers this year, bringing experience from different schools and careers.
In April, fourteen students of color flew to Virginia to tour Historically Black Universities and Colleges (HBCUs) with three staff members of color. The tour gave students the opportunity to imagine life at these colleges, while connecting with other students of color.