By SARAH DOOLITTLE, Four Points News

The Lake Austin Service Unit Girl Scouts of Four Points celebrated World Thinking Day on Feb. 22 at Canyon Ridge Middle School. Troops of all ages came to event to either represent countries from around the world or to tour.

Thirty-one troops in all participated in the event, which is celebrated every Feb. 22 by Girl Scouts and Girl Guides everywhere.

Brownie Troop 1572 represented Hungary with native costumes, chicken paprikash (csirke paprikas) and a native dance.
Top row: Tara Nash, Angelika Judd, Cindy Reynolds, Kerry Smith, Kristen Caldwell and Leader Lorraine Nagar.
Bottom row: Avery, Ellen, Haley, Rachel, Grace, Casey and Lily.
Photo by Denisha Colston

Brownie Troop #1837 represented Switzerland at World Thinking Day. From Left, Ella, Jen Snyman, and Madeline.
Photo by Emily McElmurry

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By SARAH DOOLITTLE, Four Points News

Danielle “DeeDee” Woche, a 2013 Vandegrift High School graduate, decided to take a gap year to see the world, have adventure and serve others before attending the theatre program at American University in Washington, D.C.

Rather than try to make her own arrangements, Woche chose the semester-long South Pacific Service and Ocean Skills program offered by Rustic Pathways. She chose this route in part because of her passion for the water. The land-locked Austin-ite wistfully explained that, “I love the ocean and the whole idea of being a surf bum.”

What better place to start her semester than in Fiji, where she and her Rustic Pathways brethren inaugurated their adventure by living on the beach. At first, the group of 16 spent their days in a nearby village helping rebuild it after a recent storm. They had lunch daily with the village chief and familiarized themselves with the local culture.

DeeDee Woche surrounded by local children in the highlands of Fiji.

As is typical for many traveling overseas, Woche and several others in her group got sick their first week in Fiji. No one required anything more than antibiotics, and they all soon recovered their health and strength.

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ViperBots Robotics’ Quad X team #6299 advances to the World Championships in St. Louis April 22 through 27.

Quad X is the only ViperBot team advancing out of Vandegrift High School’s six teams.

Quad X at one of the season’s competitions.
Quad X’s roster includes Sahil Metha, lead project manager, Jacob Greenway, assistant project manager and lead programmer, Peter Sarkis, CAD lead, Eddie Bates, hardware lead, Tyler Roach, hardware, Nick Morales, hardware, Raj Desai, hardware, Joshua Johnson, programming, Linnea May, programming, Lizzy Patterson, marketing lead and Reagan Gibson, marketing.

On Feb. 28, Quad X placed 3rd overall at the Super South Regional FTC Championship, one of four Super Regionals in the United States.

To help offset travel expenses, Quad X is having a “Robo Drive – Drive a Robot for a Donation” fundraiser Friday, March 21 at River Ridge Elementary. RRE is hosting a Beach Party from 6:30 p.m. to 8:30 p.m.   

The award-winning ViperBots program was established in 2010 with four students and now in its fourth year, the program comprises of six teams of 72 students.

ViperBots’ primary focus is to develop and educate the rising generation of entrepreneurs and leaders in Science, Technology, Engineering, and Mathematics (STEM). The organization promotes leadership, teamwork, and mentorship through its participation in the FIRST Robotics First Tech Challenge (FTC), supports young women in STEM initiatives, and strives to exemplify a spirit of “gracious professionalism” in all its pursuits.

By CASSIE MCKEE, Four Points News

Menchie’s Frozen Yogurt is one of the fastest-growing frozen yogurt chains in the country and Steiner Ranch residents Bob and Kathy Elmer are introducing the brand to Austin. A year after opening their first Menchie’s in Four Points, the Elmers this week celebrated the opening of their second location in the Lakeline Market Shopping Center at U.S. Hwy 183 and Lakeline Boulevard.

The brightly-colored store features 14 self-serve frozen yogurt flavors and 50 different toppings. The Elmers are celebrating their grand opening all this week, with different specials each day. The couple eventually plans to open two more locations, and have their eyes set on potential sites in Lakeway and the Mueller development.

Steiner Ranch residents Bob (far left) and Kathy (far right) Elmer, along with their team, celebrated the grand opening of their second Menchie’s Frozen Yogurt store at Lakeline Market on Saturday.

A former advertising executive, Bob Elmer said he decided to make a career change after his company asked him to relocate to Atlanta.

“We had really fallen in love with Austin,” Elmer said. “When I decided to leave that company, I had some time to decide what we were going to do next. This crazy idea popped into my head.” Continue reading →