SANGER, Texas — Years ago, principal Anthony Love was punched by a student who is now one of his favorites.
Love leads Sanger’s Linda Tutt High School Disciplinary Alternative Education Program (DAEP) which serves three different Denton County school districts.
Love’s students are assigned by their home campus after they’ve violated the student code of conduct. Junior Dylan Crow is the student who threw the punch.
“I felt horrible; I didn’t get the chance to apologize right away,” said Crow. “I was sent to a mental hospital because I was manic. I couldn’t do anything about it.”
Crow and Love can laugh about the incident now, because Crow is learning how to control his anger and is owning his mistakes.
Crow felt bad for months before he got the chance to finally apologize for the act of violence.
“I remember telling him how sorry I was,” said Crow “I explained how those weren’t my real feelings, that’s not the real me, and how I didn’t want to punch him,” Crow smiled as he recalled Love’s response. “He said, ‘Well, that was in the past, so I forgive you.’ He was so forgiving, that’s an amazing person to me.”
Now on medication to control a bipolar disorder diagnosis, Crow is thriving and has a bright future according to Love.
Crow has dreams of working in ministry and is giving back to his community by volunteering at his school’s student-run grocery store.
“Other schools might offer snacks and stuff,” said Crow. “But here at our school you can get everything from veggies, milk and eggs to peanut butter and canned goods. We even have dishwasher soap and laundry detergent.”
Students and staff can shop in the high school’s room #9, but on Tuesdays the store is open to Sanger’s community.
“And it’s all free,” exclaimed Crow.
“This program has been able to help students like Dylan because we don’t have extracurricular activities here at this campus,” said Love. “This is the one program that students want to participate in and take pride in. They take ownership by helping stock the shelves, update inventory, and even make purchase orders. It’s become something they really care about.”
The program is named THRIVE (Together Harnessing Resources to Give Individuals Voice and Empowerment) North Texas and provides students with mental health services along with access to healthy foods at the campus grocery store.
Crow and his fellow student Logan Blair are just two of dozens of student volunteers who have gained a sense of pride volunteering at their school’s grocery store.
“It’s nice to know that somebody actually cares,” said Blair, who’s also struggled with anger management. “The people here know about the issues I have and are willing to help; that makes it a whole lot better. It’s also nice to see we’re helping feed our community.”
Initially implemented in Sanger, the program saw great success. The town is home to about 8,000 people where more than 40% of the district’s students are considered economically disadvantaged, according to Love.
The grocery store was funded by a grant from the faith-based medical group Texas Health Resources, which provides students with mental health services.
“The THRIVE program is not only helping feed the community but providing life skills for students like Dylan,” said Marsha Ingle, director of community health improvement for Texas Health Resources.
“Sanger is where we piloted this program,” said Ingle. “Because of the success, we saw a 24% improvement in resiliency skills, that’s exciting for us, based off of that we are now expanding into 10 other schools across North Texas.”
The next school to implement the program is O.D. Wyatt High School in Fort Worth. The 76119 ZIP code, where the school is located, was identified as disproportionally experiencing health challenges and food insecurity through Texas Health Resources’ 2022 Community Health Needs Assessment.
The area has a higher prevalence of high blood pressure and diabetes than the city overall, and residents’ per capita income is less than half of the state and DFW metro averages.
“It’s going to bring even more light to people and maybe help more kids that have the same story as me,” said Crow. “I know what it means to go to bed hungry, that’s just not right. I’m glad it’s expanding to cities like Lewisville and Fort Worth. It means a lot to me and I’m very excited about that.”
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