Teghan Devon Himelfarb

By KRISTINA NGUYEN, Four Points News

Local teenager Teghan Devon Himelfarb has released her extended play, “The Heart of Things,” on iTunes this summer. Himelfarb, of Steiner Ranch, has been writing music since she was ten years old, crediting her father, a former drummer, as the catalyst for her passion. This EP, however, is one of her first professional ventures.

The production process started with recordings that Himelfarb sent via voice memos, where were then refined at Century Recordings in Dripping Springs under the direction of producer Nick Jay and co-producer Zak Loy, who is also Himelfarb’s guitar teacher. Because of her busy schedule at Vandegrift High School, Himelfarb could spend only a week in the studio. On the EP, she contributed vocals in addition to background guitar. Accompanying musicians Clint Simmons, Mike Ross, Hayden Vitera, and Nick Jay helped develop the sound. Himelfarb cites the journey as a “learning experience.”

The EP cover, pictured above, was taken of a vase of flowers that Himelfarb gave her mother for Mother’s Day.

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By CASSIE MCKEE, Four Points News

For the second year in a row, Vandegrift High School has earned a Gold Medal distinction from U.S. News and World Report, placing it among the top public high schools in the state.

“To even be considered for the list, VHS had to distinguish itself from the rest of the schools based on a rigorous standard,” said VHS Principal Charlie Little. Continue reading →

By CASSIE MCKEE, Four Points News

Texas House speaker Joe Straus named Texas State Rep. Paul Workman (R-Austin) and eight other legislators to the House Select Committee on Transportation Planning on Aug. 25.

“It is an honor to serve the people of Texas in this capacity,” Workman said. “Improving our transportation system is a key component to growing our healthy economy and enhancing the quality of life for all Texans.” Continue reading →

Dawn Scott and her daughter Ava Marie, whom she adopted when she was an infant.

By CASSIE MCKEE, Four Points News

Legislation that would have allowed Texas-born adults who were adopted as minors to access their original birth certificates died in the final days of the most recent legislative session and supporters are blaming State Sen. Donna Campbell (R-New Braunfels) for killing it.

Steiner Ranch resident Dawn Scott, who has a 9-year-old daughter she adopted as an infant, lobbied hard for the legislation and said she was “deeply saddened” that it did not pass.

“I believe it is a basic human right to have the dignity of self-knowledge to know who your family is – to know your ancestral roots,” Scott said. “Adopted adults grow up in a family that represents only half the picture.”

But her lobbying efforts were doused during the legislative session. Continue reading →