Vandegrift Viper senior scholars receive recognition

Vandegrift’s National Merit and National Hispanic Scholars combined.

By LYNETTE HAALAND, Four Points News

Vandegrift has a number of seniors in the 2020 National Merit Scholarship Program based on their outstanding performances on the Preliminary SAT/National Merit Scholarship Qualifying Test. Sixteen Viper students are National Merit Semifinalists, 40 are National Merit Commended Scholars, and 15 are National Hispanic Scholars. 

“Recognition as a National Merit Scholar is a prestigious, academic accolade,” said Christa Thompson-Martin, dean of instruction at VHS. “By sharing this distinguished achievement with college admissions, our students are set apart in a deep pool of applicants.”

Thompson-Martin said that the benefits of scoring well can be significant.

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Gov. Abbott recognizes Janga as two-time national champ

Gov. Greg Abbott (center) recognized Nihar Janga (right of Abbott) of Steiner Ranch on Jan. 7. The Janga family attended the recognition as well as multiple Leander ISD Superintendent Bruce Gearing, trustees Pam Waggoner and Gloria Gonzales-Dholakia, and others.

By LYNETTE HAALAND, Four Points News

Gov. Greg Abbott recently recognized Nihar Janga of Steiner Ranch for winning the 2019 National Geographic Bee and for being the co-champion in the Scripps National Spelling Bee in 2016.  

Janga was celebrated by the governor on Jan. 7 with his family, parents Narayana and Sushma and his sister, Navya.

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Transit town hall shows Four Points pays but doesn’t receive

A Transit Town Hall hosted by Rep. Vikki Goodwin, House District 47 on Jan. 14 at Towne Square Community Center, brought out a handful of residents from the Steiner Ranch area. LYNETTE HAALAND

By LYNETTE HAALAND, Four Points News

A transit town hall meeting in Steiner Ranch on Tuesday brought together several area leaders including mayors from Lakeway, Leander and Lago Vista, Austin City Council Member Jimmy Flannigan, District 6, and Dottie Watkins, chief operating officer and chief customer officer of the Capital Metropolitan Transportation Authority. State Rep. Vikki Goodwin, D-Austin of District 47, hosted and moderated the panel discussion which was dominated by Watkins of Capital Metro. 

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“Vandegrift High School Band Day” presented at VHS band’s Winter Concert

The Vandegrift bands — Concert 1, Concert 2, Symphonic and Wind Ensemble — were center stage for the annual Winter Concert that took place Dec. 16 at the Leander ISD South Performing Arts Center at Cedar Park High School. 

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