LEAP Fall Retreat: The Girl on the Train

Written by: Isis Hollis

During our retreat in Houston, LEAP students and alums visited the Alley  Theatre once again to watch a performance of The Girl on the Train! Based on the bestselling novel by Paula Hawkins and the Dreamworks film adaptation, the play proved to be another memorable addition to LEAP’s theatrical experiences.

The Girl on the Train follows Rachel Watson (Elizabeth Bunch), an alcoholic whose life has begun to unravel following her divorce. One morning, Rachel receives a visit from Detective Gaskill (David Rainey), who informs her that a woman named Megan Hipwell (Emily Neves) has gone missing. Rachel immediately becomes invested in finding her. Although she has never met Megan, Rachel used to see her and her husband from the train each morning and imagine that they lived a perfect, happy life. With Megan now missing, that illusion is shattered, and Rachel becomes determined to uncover what really happened. The list of suspects is long: from a therapist, Dr. Kamal Abdic (Christopher Salazar), to Rachel’s ex-husband Tom Watson (Chris Hutchison) and his new wife, Anna (Michelle Elaine), to Megan’s husband, Scott (Dylan Godwin–an SHSU Alum), to even Rachel herself.

The story takes us through an exciting series of twists and turns, leaving many of us surprised when the mystery finally came to a close. Kayla and Tania were particularly surprised by the ending, while others, like Britlynn, managed to figure out the twist early. Afterward, we had a great discussion about our reactions to the play, and many of us agreed that it had earned a place among our favorite Alley Theatre productions.

The British accents of the characters also caught some of us off guard, especially those who had previously watched Misery at the Alley. Elizabeth Bunch and Chris Hutchison, who played Annie Wilkes and Paul Sheldon in that production, returned as Rachel and Tom. Many of us find the husband-and-wife duo particularly fascinating to watch because they seem to have a knack for playing characters who either despise each other or are completely obsessed with one another—and sometimes both! Their dynamic creates an interesting on-stage chemistry that made their performances especially memorable.

My favorite aspect of the play was the set. I really enjoyed the way that the stage had been designed to move; parts of the stage raising and lowering to reveal or conceal furniture that changed the scenery. They also utilized a catwalk-like structure above the stage to demonstrate the terrace of Megan’s home, which allowed Rachel’s memories to be displayed over the action of scene below. One of Olivia’s favorite parts was how they portrayed the moving train, through lights and set. Towards the end of the play, the technical team even utilized projection to create train tracks that ran across the stage.

Overall, the combination of story, acting, and creative set design made The Girl on the Train a great watch. We are all looking forward to our next opportunity to experience another Alley Theatre production together!

Many thanks to alums who joined us: Ademide Adedokun, Justin and Chelsea Beiser, and Quinn Kobrin–and to Ademide’s friend, Andrea Alexander.

LEAP Ambassadors Kick Off the Year with Bearkat Kickoff

Written by Mike Yawn

With the fall semester just around the corner, Sam Houston State University welcomed incoming students to campus with Bearkat Kickoff, a multi-day series of informational sessions, activities, and opportunities designed to help new Bearkats learn more about SHSU—and find their place within the university community.

On Sunday, August 16, students had the opportunity to attend “interest sessions” hosted by various campus organizations and programs. The LEAP Ambassadors were pleased to be among those participating, offering sessions at 11:00 a.m. and 2:00 p.m. for students interested in pre-law, government, civic engagement, and volunteerism.

For LEAP Ambassadors Olivia McCaughan, Isis Hollis, and Kayla Fleming, the sessions offered a chance to introduce incoming students to the Center for Law, Engagement, and Politics (LEAP) and the many opportunities available through the organization.

The Ambassadors used a slideshow to highlight LEAP’s activities and programs while also fielding questions from the audience. They discussed ways students can become involved on campus and in the community, particularly through volunteer activities, pre-law programs, and opportunities to learn more about government and public service.

The 11:00 a.m. presentation attracted 24 students, while another 19 attended the afternoon session. With 43 students participating across the two sessions, the Ambassadors were excited by the turnout—and even more encouraged by the students themselves.

Although it was the first time McCaughan, Hollis, and Fleming had presented this particular program, they came away impressed by how attentive the incoming students were and by the thoughtful questions they asked. The strong attendance and engagement made the presentations an encouraging way to begin a new academic year.

Of course, Bearkat Kickoff is all about helping new students make connections, and the LEAP Ambassadors hope Sunday’s sessions represented the first of many such connections during the coming year.

The LEAP Ambassadors extend their thanks to Tiffany Driver and Joellen Tipton for inviting them to participate in Bearkat Kickoff and, most importantly, to the incoming Bearkats who spent part of their Sunday learning about LEAP. We hope to see many of them again soon—at a LEAP event, a volunteer activity, or perhaps even as future LEAP Ambassadors!

Caligari and The Invincible Czars

Written by Isis Hollis

This past Saturday, LEAP students and alumni got the chance to visit the River Oaks Theatre once again to watch what is considered to be the first horror movie/film ever produced! The Cabinet of Dr. Caligari, a German  expressionism silent film released in 1920, was alongside the band Invincible Czars, who wrote their own score to accompany the film. 

​After some remarks from River Oaks Artistic Manager Robert Saucedo, Bandleader Josh Robins provided some background, and then Stefan Del Bosque introduced the band members and the history of the film With the background established, the showing started.

The set of the movie, with its geometric shapes and gothic feel, reminded me a lot of Tim Burton, who was said to have taken much inspiration from the film.

I enjoyed the unique style of captions and intertitles that had small easter eggs relating to what was happening at that time of the film, such as the cross at the end of the caption explaining the scene following the funeral of one of the characters. The score added to the mysterious storyline by changing the rhythm and sound of each instrument, which was another element I really enjoyed throughout the movie! The ending was one of the most interesting parts as it left room for two different interpretations. 

​A short discussion once the movie ended revealed the context for many of the choices made for the film such as the somnambulist, Cesar, being a symbol of Germany’s military population being “asleep” after WWI.

We also had the chance to talk with the members of the band and get our posters signed following the film! Overall, the event was fun and a new experience for many of us who attended!

Bingo, “Balloon Pickleball,” and Friends at the Senior Center

For LEAP students, volunteering at the Walker County Senior Center has become a familiar—and much-enjoyed—part of our community involvement. Our visits tend to follow a comfortable routine: arrive around 9:30am, play Bingo, move on to cards and other games, converse with the congregants, and then enjoy lunch together.

Wednesday’s visit followed much of that routine, although there were a few surprises along the way.

As usual, Bingo was the first order of business. LEAP students helped call the games, sat with congregants, and participated in the friendly competition that invariably accompanies Bingo at the Senior Center. As we have learned from previous visits, Bingo may be a game, but that does not mean it isn’t serious business! And, in a first, Professor Yawn even took his turn calling Bingo, before turning it back over to the pros.

After Bingo, the group spread out for cards, conversation, and Wii games. These activities are fun, of course, but they also provide the larger purpose behind our visits. Sitting around a table playing cards—or simply talking—gives students an opportunity to get to know people they might not otherwise meet. The conversations range from families and careers to Huntsville history and current events, offering a form of intergenerational learning that goes well beyond the classroom.

This week, however, we added a new sport to our repertoire: balloon pickleball.

With balloons substituting for pickleballs, the game provided a slightly slower—but no less entertaining—version of one of the country’s fastest-growing sports. The fun even prompted the Senior Center Director, Stacey Loll, to give it a go–turns out she has a heck of a backhand! And while the balloons occasionally had minds of their own, that only added to the fun and laughter.

Brittlyn had particular fun with the “sport,” managing to be both a participant and a scorekeeper, an intriguing conflict of interest.

We also had the opportunity to see a familiar SHSU face, Dr. Kevin Randall, whose daughter participates in the Senior Center’s Wednesday activities. Seeing Dr. Randall was another reminder of something we frequently discover while volunteering: Huntsville is a wonderfully interconnected community, and our paths often cross in unexpected places.

Eventually, games gave way to lunch, conversation continued, and another Senior Center visit came to an end.

The activities may be similar each week—Bingo, cards, games, conversation, and lunch—but the people ensure that no two visits are quite the same. And that is precisely why we enjoy coming back.

Conversations with Administrators Gives Students an Inside Look at SHSU Athletics

Faculty and staff had the opportunity to learn more about Sam Houston State University Athletics during the latest Programs with Administrators session, which featured SHSU Director of Athletics Bobby Williams. The event drew 27 attendees for an engaging discussion that ranged from the University’s athletic history to its future priorities.

Following an introduction by HR’s Brandon Richard, Williams reflected on his remarkable 30-year tenure at SHSU, noting that he is now the longest-serving athletic director in Division I athletics. His perspective spans decades of Bearkat history.

When he first arrived on campus, football was still played at Pritchett Field, providing a reminder of how much both the University and its athletic facilities have evolved. He also shared a memorable story about being hired by coach Ron Randleman, adding that, in an unexpected twist, Randleman would eventually work for Williams for six years.

The conversation also explored the complexity of managing a modern athletic division. Williams explained that SHSU currently sponsors 18 varsity sports and emphasized that Title IX is one of the first considerations whenever the University evaluates adding a new team, with the related issue of cost also factoring large.

Audience members asked about challenges facing collegiate athletics today. When asked how the growth of online education affects student engagement, Williams acknowledged that it is a challenge “we all face.” As more students complete coursework remotely, he noted, campus experiences can become more transactional, making it harder to build the loyalty and sense of community that have traditionally defined the college experience.

Facilities were another popular topic. Williams explained that the University’s new football press box carries a $60 million price tag, with a significant portion already covered through private donations. If fundraising continues as hoped, SHSU could have approximately $40 million paid within the next year, leaving about $20 million remaining on the 30-year bond.

Looking ahead, he identified upgrades to the track facilities as a priority, while noting that nearly every sport has facility needs. He also expressed hope that the east side of Don Sanders Stadium can someday receive improvements similar to those made on the west side.

When put on the spot about how the Bearkat football team will do next year, Williams boldly went where every cornered athletic director in history has gone, and he said: “I think we’ll do better than last year.” (Last year the team was 2-10).

Williams concluded on a personal note by describing how his family established a $100,000 endowment supporting both athletics and education. With his wife having served as both a public-school principal and faculty member in SHSU’s College of Education, and his daughter working in the University’s Career Success Center, Williams said the gift reflected his desire to give back—not just to athletics, but to the entire University community.