Cavs in Crisis, a student-run organization at Lake Travis High School, is getting local businesses involved in its mission. On Aug. 7, American Campus Communities hosted a luncheon event with food donated from Tony C’s, and all proceeds went to Cavs in Crisis.

“Our charity foundation tends to focus on youth in need,” said Gina Cowart, vice president of branding for American Campus Communities. “Any time we can support school initiatives, especially in the local community, we try and do that.”

Tony C’s owner Tony Ciola said he is happy for the opportunity to give back to the people who support him. His restaurants are all located in suburbs full of families and schools, he said, adding that many of his employees are Lake Travis High School students.

“They’re our customers, and I’m an alumni,” he said. “It’s so great to see these kids are recognizing people among them need help and they’re stepping up to do it.”

Ciola said there are so many different charities and causes that sometimes people forget about the needs of their neighbors and classmates.

“But these students are not overlooking the people they go to school with and personally know. They are learning at a young age to take care of each other,” he said.

More positive change ahead

On Aug. 20, Ciola, Tony C’s co-owner Creed Ford IV and American Campus Communities CEO Bill Bayles presented a $1,800 check, money raised at the Aug. 7 luncheon, to students in LTHS teacher Travis Rendon’s classroom.

Rendon teaches the Peer Assistance Leadership program, or PALS, full-time.

“It was so awesome for the students to see that,” Rendon said. “I even had some students from last year who were involved come.”

About three years ago he asked his students to identify problems they noticed.

“They said they knew of other students who were struggling economically,” he said. “We thought it’d be great to have some funds in case someone needed a coat, a pair of shoes [or] glasses. There were teachers who were getting those things for students in need, and we thought it’d be nice if there was money to reimburse them.”

Cavs in Crisis was formed as a direct result of that need. Now in its fourth year, Rendon said the program keeps evolving. Last year’s group focused on helping new students feel included.

“They outlined a webpage that broke down student lingo—such as their slang for the different parking lots and where the ‘rotunda’ is—and worked with the technology department to get it online,” Rendon said.

Among other initiatives, this year’s program members plan to have a new student luncheon and host a new student tailgate. The group also utilizes funds to support and work alongside the new CavLounge, which provides basic necessities to students in need.

“It’s really about them recognizing things that need to be changed and how they can help,” Rendon said. “They want to do right in our district.”