Morgan Robertson
As our readers might guess, the LEAP Ambassadors are huge fans of the Huntsville Rotary Club and its members. So when given the chance to attend a Rotary meeting as guests, we always ‘leap’ at the opportunity!
Typically, Huntsville Rotarians meet at the Sam Houston Memorial Museum (SHMM) in the Walker Education Center conference rooms. However, this week the meeting location was moved up one floor to the exhibit gallery, which just so happens to be where our exhibit, Photos from the LEAP Lens, is on view. Rotary President Michelle Lyons reached out, and asked if we would join the meeting and provide more detail about our exhibit.
Olivia, Michelle, Jessica, Cinthia and I accompanied Professor Yawn as the guest speakers for the lunch, and we were welcomed, as it typical for the hospitable Rotarians, with open arms and smiling faces.
Following the official business of the meeting, Derrick Birdsall, Director of SHMM, gave a wonderful introduction and explained how Photos from the LEAP Lens came into being.
Rather than describe each photo in the exhibit and explain the exact conditions that made such a photo possible, which would undoubtedly bore everyone in the room, photographer or not, Professor Yawn chose a few photos that best incapsulated the LEAP principles and model. Our very own Olivia stepped into be Vanna White for the hour, and did a great job impersonating the TV personality.
From the New Mexico trip, Professor Yawn Cinthia’s version of the famous Rancho De Taos. Not only did the group rise at 4am for the chance to get this shot, but they were also able to draw connections to Ansel Adams and Georgia O’Keeffe who both famously provided their perspectives of Rancho De Taos.
One of the most favored photos from the exhibit was Olivia’s Palo Duro Canyon State Park. Much to the surprise of, well everyone, this photo was taken from Olivia’s first time in a state park! As all LEAP Ambassadors, past and present know, it’s impossible to be in LEAP without experiencing some firsts.
While most of our photos are of the outdoor and nature sort, a few exceptions can be found in the exhibit, one of which is the New York Skyline from a few years back with some LEAP Alum. Interestingly enough, this site was where Alexander Hamilton and Aaron Burr dueled, tying both history and photography for perfect LEAP educational experience. Professor Yawn used this photo to describe some of the mechanics of LEAP trips.
The last two photos were from the recent DC trip, where Olivia, Cinthia and Michelle attended the National League of Cities Conference, and many other wonderful sites. In preparation for the trip, Olivia read a book called “A Rift in the Earth” by James Reston, which goes into the processes and controversies surrounding the erection of the Vietnam Memorial. During this part of their visit to the National Mall they were met with the amazing surprise of actually meeting the artist of the Memorial herself, Maya Lin.
The second was an amazing shot of Monticello, Thomas Jefferson’s home in Virginia. On this trip, the Ambassadors visited their first 3 presidential homes and were able to experience history first hand.
This academic year, we’ve had the privilege to attend Rotary three times in various capacities. Each time we depart Rotary meetings after snapping selfies, or hugging our friends, we are grateful to know that we have become part of such a wonderful community.
“Photos from the LEAP Lens” is on view until May 12, 2024, in the exhibit gallery at Katy & E. Don Walker, Sr. Education Center, located at 1402 19th Street in Huntsville.
Center for Law, Engagement, and Politics 