By LYNETTE HAALAND, Four Points News

The Hill Country Education Foundation’s 5th annual Giddy Up Gala raised a record-breaking $140,000 and posted a record attendance on Feb. 28 as more than 475 guests made a difference for local Four Points students, schools and teachers.

“Our ability to boost academics with additional programs and tools is highly dependent on the funds raised at this gala,” said Kai Lamb, president.

“Each year the community comes out in larger and larger numbers, willing to step up their financial contributions. Because of their continued support and even stronger dedication to our cause, HCEF can intensify its efforts in making a difference for our students and their teachers who are passionate about enhancing education,” Lamb added.

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Local PTA representatives attended the Texas PTA Rally Day last week. Back row (L-R): Shannon Lombardo, LISD director of community services and the superintendent’s representative on the LISD Council of PTAs; Stephanie Haug, president of LISD Council of PTAs; Kristen Hill, president of VHS PTSA; Crosby MacClyment, legislative action chair at LISD Council of PTAs; Erin Kolecki, president of GHE PTA. Front row (L-R): Rebecca Cole, legislative action chair at FPMS PTA; Michelle Beck, legislative action chair at CRMS PTA; and Lisa Anestos, legislative action chair at GHE PTA.
photo by Sarah Doolittle

By SARAH DOOLITTLE, Four Points News

Local Parent Teacher Association representatives attended the annual Rally Day for the Texas PTA last week at the state capitol in Austin. Rally Day is an opportunity for Texas PTA members to meet with state representatives and senators in order to advance the PTA’s legislative goals.

“The more people who are willing to speak up and show up, the more change we can affect,” said Stephanie Haug. She attended the event on Feb. 25 as a parent — she has two students at Four Points area schools — but also as president of the LISD Council of PTAs, which has 34 members and is comprised of all the LISD schools that have either PTAs or PTSAs (Parent Teacher Student Associations). Continue reading →

By LYNETTE HAALAD, Four Points News

Land at RM 620 and Steiner Ranch Boulevard is being cleared for a new Austin-based SouthStar Bank and other pad sites for future commercial development including possibly a carwash.

Plans for the the 20-acre site were approved on Feb. 19, according to Christine Barton-Holmes, senior planner at the City of Austin- Planning & Development Review Department.

Barton-Holmes said the first phase will be a bank and all of the infrastructure for the whole site. The next phase will be a medical office and the third phase, a professional office and the final phase a carwash.

Texas Engineering Solutions, LLC is the site plan applicant, and the owners are listed as Lone Star Bank and Texas MU 15 Investments, Ltd. McAden Builders Inc. is the initial builder on the site.

“We are building SouthStar Bank on the hard corner there at Steiner Ranch and 620,” said Allen McAden, CEO McAden Builders.

“We are also building two additional pads and a detention pond on lots two and three. They are just pads for further developments nothing has been selected yet at this time,” McAden said.

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By CASSIE MCKEE, Four Points News

When Jonathan and Polly Tommey moved to River Place from the U.K. in 2012, they had one dream in mind – to build a place where adults with autism could live and thrive. Now, a generous donation of land from one local family is helping to make that dream a reality.

The Tommeys learned first-hand about autism after their son, Billy, was diagnosed with the disorder at the age of 2. In 2007, while in the U.K., Polly Tommey founded The Autism Trust, a non-profit organization with the mission of providing vocational, educational, wellness, and semi-independent residential programs for individuals with autism.

“As a parent, our biggest concern is who’s going to look after my children,” said Jonathan Tommey. “We don’t want them in these institutions that offer them no opportunities.”

After the success of The Autism Trust in the U.K., the Tommeys were awarded an exceptional visa to build the same center of excellence in the U.S. They chose Austin because of the warm community atmosphere and the many autism experts who live here.

The Tommeys came with the goal of building a state-of-the-art center where adults with autism can live a safe, healthy and purposeful life. But first, they needed some land.

Tommey family

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​​Girls UIL State 5A Champions​: (L-R) Renee Jacops, Elizabeth Nelson, Jade Federlin, Lindsey Thompson, Hanna Brown, Kendall Shields, Sydney Sanders, Maddie Ibrahim​ and Hannah Palacios. ​Assistant Coach Carlee Bauer ​(front left) ​and Girls UIL State Coach of the Year Head Coach Kimberly Davies​ (front right).​
​​Photo by ​​Debbie Donohue

VHS girls swim & dive win state, Boys place 5th at state

By JULIE WOLK, Four Point Contributor

The Vandegrift Viper swim and dive girls team won the Girls’ UIL State 5A Championship title by 62.5 points last weekend. The boys team came in fifth overall, a dramatic rise from last year’s 19th placement.

Overall, the Vipers took the podium with three gold and two silver medals during the Feb. 20-21 state event at the Lee & Joe Jamail Texas Swim Center at the University of Texas.

“The state title for the girls and the boys’ incredible rise in placement are due to depth, passion and teamwork,” said Kimberly Davies, VHS swim and dive head coach. “We don’t rely on one or two star athletes. Our focus has been to maximize each swimmer’s strength to contribute to the whole. We emphasized ’team’ this entire season.”

Davies also won the UIL State 5A Girls Coach of the Year.

​​UIL 200 Freestyle Relay State 5A Silver Medalists​ (L-R) Zach Bezella, Jack Hanna, Zach Wolk​ and John Winkler​.​
Photo by Debbie Donohue

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