November 14 2018 Issue
Tag Archives: Grandview Hills
VHS Viper football player turns UT Longhorn
A photo from last season when Kartik Akkihal played on the Vandegrift Viper football team. Akkihal family L-R
Shiva (dad) Kartik (Vandegrift 2018 grad), Priya (mom) and Gita (sister).
By ERIN SEITZLER, Four Points News
Vandegrift Viper 2018 graduate Kartik Akkihal is playing Longhorn football this season for the University of Texas.
“The program is great and the family atmosphere is like nothing I’ve ever been a part of,” said Akkihal, whose family lives in Steiner Ranch. “They really go above and beyond to make sure it’s a family, and it starts at the top with Coach Herman.”
As a first-year wide receiver walk-on, Akkihal said the experience has been very positive.
Local mom advocates for elephant preservation & protection
Nicole Korensky traveled to Kenya from late September to early October. She visited elephants at the David Sheldrick Wildlife Trust Ithumba Reintegration Unit in Tsavo National Park.
By SARAH DOOLITTLE, Four Points News
Nicole Korensky has a passion for elephants and their welfare, so much so that she just returned from her third trip to an elephant sanctuary in Kenya.
“My dream would be just to work with elephants directly, but… you don’t really have local opportunities,” said Korensky, who lives in Steiner Ranch with her husband and three children.
When she is not busy as president of the Canyon Ridge Middle School PTA, she volunteers in area schools educating students about elephant protection and preservation.
VHS girls team places 6th at state, J. Mathis 8th, Monte 19th
The Vandegrift girls cross country team placed sixth overall, Jordan Mathis came in with the eighth fastest time, and Anthony Monte was 19th at the UIL Class 6A State Meet on Saturday, Nov. 3 at Old Settlers Park in Round Rock. Continue reading
FFA veterinary science team places 8th at nationals
By NATALIE BRINK, Vandegrift Voice
The Vandegrift veterinary science team placed eighth on Oct. 26 at the 91st annual FFA convention in Indianapolis, Ind. The team, consisting of seniors Camille Barkhuizen and Zach Roush as well as juniors Madeline Rawlings and Lauren Stevens.
“We had high hopes, and we had some pretty big shoes to fill because Texas is known to place in the top 10,” Rawlings said. “[We had to compete against] 1,600 teams alone in Texas [to get to nationals], so with 50 states, it is a really huge thing. It was very jaw-dropping, relieving and emotionally fulfilling.”