Towne Lake Neighbors Rally to Raise $4,000 for Anthony Middle School’s New Outdoor Seating Area
When Crystal Romanelli stepped into her new role as principal of Anthony Middle School, one of the first things she noticed was a quiet courtyard with nothing but concrete. No seating. No shade. No place for kids to gather.
Thanks to the generosity of her neighbors in Towne Lake, that space just got a meaningful makeover.
In just one week, Towne Lake residents came together to raise $4,000—enough to purchase and install four benches and two picnic tables in the courtyard at Anthony Middle School in Cypress-Fairbanks ISD. The donation was spearheaded by community member Scott Baxter and CFISD Board of Trustees member Lucas Scanlon, both of whom saw an opportunity to turn an empty area into something special.
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“It’s great to see the kids in the community grow, and we enjoy helping out where we’re needed,” said Baxter. “The community loves to chip in and try to improve whatever we can to make great experiences for the students.”
The idea started simply—with a conversation.
Scanlon had reached out to Romanelli as she prepared for her first semester as principal. “As Mrs. Romanelli was beginning her first semester at Anthony, I wanted to make sure she knew that as a community, Towne Lake wants to embrace her,” Scanlon shared. “She shared that there is an area in the middle of the school where there is no place for students and teachers to sit. I told her, I could work on that. I spoke with Scott, and he reached out to the community.”
Baxter, a longtime Towne Lake resident, knew exactly how to rally the neighborhood. Through word of mouth, social media, and some good old-fashioned community spirit, the funds were raised in just seven days—well before the first bell of the new school year.
The tables and benches were delivered and installed in time to welcome students back, offering them a space to relax, connect, and enjoy lunch outdoors.
For Romanelli, the gift was more than just furniture—it was a gesture of support that spoke volumes.
“We are so happy to open up the courtyard and provide a space where students can enjoy the nature and beauty that is our campus,” she said. “We look forward to our students being rewarded for positive choices by having lunches with friends and peers in this area, and this donation contributes to our students’ experience in making great memories here on our campus.”
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The space will now be used as a reward area for students who demonstrate good behavior and leadership throughout the school year.
More than just a project, the courtyard transformation is a reminder of how much can happen when a community sees a need—and steps in to fill it.
Anthony Middle School now has a welcoming outdoor space that students can be proud of, and the Towne Lake community has once again proven that their support for local schools runs deep.
Stay tuned with My Neighborhood News for more good news happening in your neighborhood.
Tiffany Krenek has been on the My Neighborhood News team since August 2021. She is passionate about curating and sharing content that enriches the lives of our readers in a personal, meaningful way. A loving mother and wife, Tiffany and her family live in the West Houston/Cypress region.
