Nihar Janga, the 11-year-old fifth grader who attends River Ridge Elementary, became the youngest student to be named co-champion in the 2016 Scripps National Spelling Bee last week. Here he is at an interview with Wall Street Journal with co-champ Jairam Hathwar.

By LYNETTE HAALAND,
Four Points News

Steiner Ranch resident Nihar Janga, the 11-year-old fifth grader who attends River Ridge Elementary, became the youngest student to be named co-champion in the 2016 Scripps National Spelling Bee last week and has been on a media tour ever since.

“He probably did more than a dozen (interviews) with all the major channels. We are learning as we go so can’t say how many more,” said Narayana Janga, dad of the national speller.

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Joe Lemmons, Vandegrift agriculture science teacher, received $5,000 to purchase equipment from the Hill Country Education Foundation grant patrol.

Published May 25, 2016

The Hill Country Education Foundation surprised 13 faculty members and parent volunteers with nearly $35,000 in program funding during the foundation’s 6th Impact Grant Patrol on Friday.

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The 42-acre tract at the southeast corner of RM 2222 and City Park Road was by the Austin Zoning and Platting Commission last week for a 325-unit apartment complex.

By CASSIE MCKEE, Four Points News

A zoning request that would allow a 325-unit apartment complex to be built at the corner of RM 2222 and City Park Road was approved by the Austin Zoning and Platting Commission last week at its May 17 meeting, despite opposition from those in the surrounding neighborhood.

The land is owned by longtime landowners known as the Champion sisters, who have had a contentious relationship with the city over the past 30 years, and have twice filed lawsuits against the city over development restrictions put on the site.

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By LYNETTE HAALAND, Four Points News

Vandegrift High School is in the running for the 5A University Interscholastic League Lone Star Cup award again for the second year in a row. This year, the stiffest competition is coming from Grapevine High School in the Dallas area.

The UIL Lone Star Cup honors the best overall academic, athletic, theatrical and music programs in the state of Texas. The award goes to six high schools, from 1A to 6A, based on their team performance in district and state championships.

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