153 VHS students in IB

Staff Reports

The International Baccalaureate program is gaining depth in Leander ISD as more students receive diplomas and as Vandegrift ramps up its new IB offerings.

Vandegrift is in the authorization phase to become the district’s second IB Diploma Programme. This fall, 153 students began their ninth-grade year with the intention of becoming VHS’s first IB diploma class in 2020.

“This is the most rigorous academic opportunity for high school students, and we are pleased that more students are successfully pursuing the prestigious IB diploma,” said Leander ISD Superintendent Dan Troxell.

The only other IB high school in the district is Leander High School, and 87 percent of LHS’s class of 2016 International Baccalaureate diploma candidates received their IB diploma.

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Construction could begin by late 2018 if funds are in place

By CASSIE MCKEE,
Four Points News

Following the approval of a $720 million mobility bond by Austin voters in November, Four Points’ representatives are hoping to get the ball moving quickly on projects such as the RM 620/RM 2222 connector project, also known as the bypass.

“This infusion of money enables us to move forward much more quickly on this project than previously estimated,” said Kelli Reyna, public information officer for the Texas Department of Transportation Austin District. “More money to the table ultimately means more projects getting approved and built, and this would not have been possible without the cooperation and partnership with the city of Austin and the voters who approved the 2016 Mobility Bond.”

Included in the mobility bond funding is $101 million for regional mobility projects. Of that amount, $30 million is earmarked for projects in District 6 that would increase pedestrian, bicycle, and vehicular mobility. The District 6 projects outlined on the ballot included:

• Anderson Mill Road from Spicewood Parkway to US Hwy 183,

• Intersection of RM 620 and RM 2222, and

• Parmer Lane between SH 45 to Brushy Creek Road.

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Allison and Robert D’Alfonso with their “love map” showing the states they have already visited on their first seven wedding anniversaries. And even though he’s a Longhorn and she’s an Aggie, “We’re staying married for life,” he said.

By SARAH DOOLITTLE
Four Points News

The map on the wall of Allison and Robert D’Alfonso’s bedroom is dotted with red hearts, and it tells the story of seven years of anniversaries spent at locations around the U.S.

The couple — Allison, a stay-at-home parent and essential oils representative and Robert, a dentist and owner of Lakeway Cosmetic Dentistry — live in Steiner Ranch with their three children, Joseph 4, Tinley 3 and Caleb, 20 months.

They first met in Houston, where they attended the same church. Or as Allison said, “We met at a bar — a salad bar,” where a post-service lunch was being hosted. As a member of the group’s leadership, she was required to meet and greet new members.

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Steiner Ranch resident Todd Pendleton (left) opened Champion Cryotherapy at the Trails at 620. The staff helps offer innovative therapies to accelerate athletic recovery of pain and inflammation.

Freezing therapy that helps healing  

By LYNETTE HAALAND
Four Points News

Local entrepreneur Todd Pendleton launched Champion Cryotherapy at Trails at 620 a couple of months ago. The Steiner Ranch resident founded the company after experiencing the benefits that whole body cryotherapy has delivered to professional athletes and movie stars since 2011.

“I’ve battled shoulder pain and inflammation for years,” Pendleton said. “After hearing the Dallas Mavericks refer to WBC as their ‘secret weapon’ during their Championship season of 2011, I decided to try it. Two weeks of the short 3-minute therapy sessions relieved my pain and inflammation. I could once again enjoy my favorite activity: playing ball with my sons.”

Champion Cryotherapy’s mission is to deliver superior, innovative therapies to accelerate athletic recovery, relieve pain and inflammation, and elevate well-being.

One of Champion’s primary therapies is whole body cryotherapy, which is a Rheumatologist-invented, research-proven cold therapy that triggers the body’s pain and inflammation fighters. A person chills in a cold air sauna for three minutes, and then their body activates its natural restorative process. The results are relief from pain and inflammation, accelerated muscle recovery, boosted energy levels and vitality, increased metabolic rate, enhanced complexion and elevated well-being.

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