By SARAH DOOLITTLE, Four Points News

James “Jim” Casey is living the American dream. It all started in a small, patriotic town out East where his immigrant parents sought a better life. Jim made the most of each opportunity in front of him, climbing the corporate ladder for decades, moving 15 times in 20 years before settling into River Place after working for Fortune 50 companies.

Jim and his wife, Peggy, moved to Austin in 1993. They chose their lot in River Place, a newly developing community, because they loved the view with its sweeping overlook of the hills around Lake Austin.

Jim and Peggy Casey met at the Boston Tennis club. It was love at first sight.

“In New England — I’m not sure if you ever went swimming — I one time foolishly ran right into the water. And my heart just went like this,” Peggy gestures with a lurch of her hands.

“And the only other time that ever happened was when I saw (Jim) across the other side of the tennis net.”

Photo by Sarah Doolittle

Continue reading →

By CASSIE MCKEE, Four Points News

A large-scale expansion project at Vandegrift High School should soon help to ease overcrowding issues for the school, which has seen a rapid increase in enrollment since it first opened in 2009.

The construction project consists of four new science/flex labs and 20 new classrooms and should be completed by the end of March, said Jimmy Disler, executive director of capital improvements for Leander ISD.

The Vandegrift HS construction project should be completed by the end of March.
Photo by Linda Courtney

Disler said the additions are needed to deal with overcrowding and future growth at the school. Once completed, the additions will increase the campus capacity to 2,400 students. The school currently has 1,693 students enrolled. Continue reading →

By MAGGIE TATE, MARY JO FATKE

Girls Lacrosse is exploding nationwide, so it’s no surprise the sport is experiencing tremendous growth in Four Points too.

The girls high school team is in it’s second season at Vandegrift High School and beat Austin HS on Feb. 21, 14-4.

#96 is Maddie Claflin and #30 is Kriston Guerra
Photo by Erin Honts

This year, about 40 girls make up the Viper varsity and JV teams under the direction of Head Coach Katie Searle, JV Coach Lynette Gomez and Assistant Coach Jennifer Greenstreet.

Girls lacrosse is governed by the Texas Girls High School Lacrosse League (TGHSLL). Lacrosse is not a UIL sport and is designated an official Leander ISD club sport.

In addition to the high school teams, the Lady Vipers Lacrosse organization offers a middle school girls club program. Now in it’s fourth year, upwards of 50 girls comprise three teams under the direction of Rachel Coyne, Christine Hong and Alejandra Johnson.

In addition, Mikala Bonner, a goalie trainer, works with all the goalies from each team and eight VHS team members act as student trainers for the middle school teams. Continue reading →

By SARAH DOOLITTLE, Four Points News

Vandegrift HS senior, Addison Stahl, founded Homework Help and the free tutoring service is gaining momentum in its second year. VHS students provide the tutoring, offering help to students of all ages.

“We’re trying to provide the high schoolers a chance to volunteer and at the same time give these kids a chance to excel at school,” said Stahl, who is involved in National Honor Society and is a volunteer with PALS or Peer Assistance and Leadership.

Homework Help operates from 5:30 – 7:30 p.m. on Tuesdays and Thursdays at Cups & Cones in Steiner Ranch.

Addison Stahl, VHS senior and founder of Homework Help.
Photo credit: Sarah Doolittle

“You shouldn’t have to rely only on yourself. You shouldn’t have to put the world on your own shoulders. Because nobody can do that,” he said. “You need a support system. It’s healthy to look around and say, ‘Hey, we can come up together and we can be great.’”

Prospective tutors must complete a ten question application about their reasons for wanting to volunteer as well as their commitment to their studies. A teacher evaluation is also required. Continue reading →