Mike Yawn teaches at Sam Houston State University. In the past few years, he has taught courses on Politics & Film, Public Policy, the Presidency, Media & Politics, Congress, Statistics, Research & Writing, Field Research, and Public Opinion.
He has published academic papers in the Journal of Politics, Political Behavior, Social Security Quarterly, Film & History, American Politics Review, and contributed a chapter to the textbook Politics and Film.
He also contributes columns, news analysis, and news stories to newspapers such as the Houston Chronicle, San Antonio Express News, Seattle Post-Intelligencer, Stamford Advocate, Greenwich Time, Huron Daily Tribune, Laredo Morning Times, Beaumont Enterprise, Connecticut Post, and Midland Reporter Telegram.
Yawn is also active in his local community, serving on the board of directors of the local YMCA and Friends of the Wynne. Previously, he served on the Huntsville's Promise and Stan Musial World Series Boards of Directors.
In 2007-2008, Yawn was one of eight scholars across the nation named as a Carnegie Civic Engagement Scholar by the Carnegie Foundation.
As a public service to the community, the Walker County Republican Women hosted a “candidates’ forum” on Monday night, inviting candidates at all levels and of all stripes to meet the public. With five minutes to discuss their intentions and platform and an almost unlimited time to mingle, the forum provided a key service to the voting public.
The Walker County Hospital District candidates were the first to speak. With three positions up for election and six candidates running for the position, the meet and greet was important to decide on who to elect this November. Two of the candidates currently serve on the board while the other four are seeking election for the first time. This was an informative meeting; we learned about the important distinction between the Walker County Hospital District Board and the Huntsville Memorial Hospital Board. The Hospital Board is a board of directors composed of community leaders who oversee the broad direction of the Hospital. The Hospital District Board, on the other hand, is made up of elected officials responsible for overseeing the District, its finances, its physical structures, and its health care. Although this latter district has the ability to tax, such revenues only make up a small portion of the hospital’s overall revenues.
The Huntsville City Council candidates also participated with their own five-minute overviews. They also engaged in a Q&A by the audience, and addressed the bond election. The voters of Huntsville will decide on three bond propositions:
Proposition One: Improve Public Safety Facilities (not to exceed 31,000,000)
Proposition Two: Improve City Service Facilities (not to exceed 24,000,000)
Proposition Three: Improve City Waterworks and Sewer Facilitiies (not to exceed 73,000,000)
With these weighty matters on our minds, we thanked the Republican Women for organizing the event, and we exited pondering upcoming decisions.
As has been SHSU’s tradition, every legislative session the LEAP Center finds exemplary students to intern at the capitol with the state legislators. From a week of mid-terms to a weekend of new legislative terms, the LEAP students traveled to Austin to tour the capital, interview in legislative offices, and explore the rest of the city.
Interviews, by Vincent Melore
It was six o’clock in the morning when we LEAPed out of bed, awaiting the opportunity of a life time. Donning our newly pressed suits, we eagerly anticipated the ride to the capitol, where we would interview with three staff members representing various legislative candidates. When we arrived at the front gates of the capitol we were struck with awe. Magnificent coal black gates surrounded a structure like no other in the state of Texas. The capitol, dressed with genuine Texas red granite and topped with the gorgeous guardian of liberty, was truly a testament to all the opportunities that Texas provides.
LEAP Center Students Sit in on Appropriations Committee
Soon after the group arrived at the capitol, we interviewed staffers from numerous offices including: Benjamin Williams, Director of Administration for Representative Jim Murphy; Eiman Siddiqui, future chief of staff for Representative-elect Tom Oliverson; and Nick Raymond, future chief of staff for Representative-elect Ernest Bailes. The interviews were indeed a learning experience as potential Austin interns Vincent Melore, Christina Perez, and Isabela Gonzalez were interviewed simultaneously for their first interview of the morning. During the interview, the group was asked typical interview questions, hypothetical interview questions, and some questions that seemed unusual but were used to get an understanding of our unique personalities and whether or not they would fit well in their offices.
As we continued interviewing throughout the day, we also toured through a few of the offices to gain a feel for the environment and expectations of each office (just in case we get placed). We soon understood how important it would be to maintain a professional and positive attitude. As the frontline of the representative’s office we would be responsible for ensuring the integrity and security of that office. Although we all knew we would be in for the workload of a lifetime, this in no way stifled our determination and drive to serve the legislature.
Site-Seeing, by Victoria McClendon-Leggett
Meanwhile, with a muggy and dull sky, LEAP students without impending interviews began their day differently. As we poured out of the van, we filed through the gates and paused as we took a moment to gaze up at the Texas State Capitol. “I’m going to go park. Will you see about getting a tour?” Professor Yawn said to Beatriz. She turned on her heels and began to lead the group towards the edifice that towered in front of them. The façade looked almost pink in contrast to the grey sky. The building was a beautiful example of the renaissance revival style. The walls were smooth, polished red marble. Columns surrounded the rotunda that rose high above the rest of the building, and all around it the pediments of each individual wing came to form four separate peaks.
Some of the students had been here before, but we were all just as mesmerized by the ornate capitol details surrounding us. While waiting for the next tour to start we had time to admire the general splendor. The floor was terrazzo marble that somehow managed to gleam in what little light from outside had found its way in through the 900+ windows that functionally adorn the Capitol building. Professor Yawn eventually joined us and we followed the tour guide as he ushered us up wrought iron staircases, down hallways with more than twenty identical doorways, and past portraits of former Texas governors.
The tour itself lasted only about forty minutes, and then afterwards the group had to go their separate ways. Some had interviews for prospective internships, some had already landed their internships and simply wanted to visit different offices…
LEAP Center Students in Senator Schwertner’s Office, with Staff Member Deandra Porter
and some were left to amuse themselves for the day. Eventually, we all made our way through the winding halls and tunnels of the capitol and regrouped at the Reference Library before going to lunch.
LEAP Center Students, Ever-Studious, in the Capitol Reference Library
Food, by Christina Perez
After an adventurous morning at the capitol, we headed to Frank and Angie’s Pizzeria. The options for pizza pies seemed endless. The first suggestion was pepperoni, but we all decided that we should explore different options. After a vote across the table, we decided to order the “Chairman of the Board” which was Frank Sinatra’s nickname after he founded Reprise Records in 1960. We also decided to try “white pizza.” This take on pizza strays away from the path of familiarity for some of us as the tomato sauce is replaced with alfredo. In true Austin spirit, we embraced the change and decided to go for the strange. While enjoying the delicious pizza pies, with expressive eyes we discussed how we could see of the town. Eventually we figured out the best routes through the city that would take us through housing options for the spring.
More Food, Brian Aldaco
Tired of looking through countless apartment complexes, a bit weary from the costly Austin living, we found it apt to unwind with a visit to the ever favorite Clay Pit. From the Guadalupe St rumbling echoes of traffic, we crossed into the cozy, calm Indian cuisine restaurant. As we were seated, the spicy aromas which filled the air prompted us to get ready for this trip down savory lane. As their eyes met the different menu items, students who had never been to an Indian restaurant looked perplexed, perhaps even frightened. Items such as Goat Curry, Lamb Roganjosh, Boti Kabab, (whose pronunciation was just as ambiguous as its ingredients) were met with curiosity but ordered nonetheless.
For dessert, we agreed on the savory treat of creme-brulee, Gulab Jamun, and the Hot and Cold Love (a unique combination of vanilla ice-cream and specially prepared carrot puree). After hearty conversation, good food, and a couple of table mishaps here and there…
Sadie McLaughlin, Following a Water-Drinking Mishap
…we managed to get off our seats and take a night walk through UT Campus and the Capitol.
We strolled through the city until we reached the UT Campus. As we neared the glowing UT Tower, we surveyed the South lookout from our viewpoint.
Standing on that pebbled ground we stayed contemplating at the bright vista of a very beautiful Texas Capitol dome. Night crawling through more of Austin we re-visited the State Capitol and pensively strolled down the perimeter of the legislative building.
With a day full of weary and a tomorrow full of mystery, it was nice to walk worry free, soaking in the pleasant moon glow and shine from our Texas seal. Our little weekend adventure had come to its end.
With a drive back to Huntsville in the morning, we took our last glances of the capitol, gave our last sighs, and agreed on how pleasant the day as a whole had been. Even though nerves ran high, and results are yet to be seen, at least we got to spend an adventurous day at Austin with great friends.
Nonstop chanting filled the backstreets of SHSU as the community gathered for the 2016 Homecoming tailgate. As the first college tailgating experience for most of the LEAP students, we took on the crowds of students, parents, fans, pets, and Huntsville community members. The College of Humanities and Social Sciences (also known on campus as CHSS) kindly allowed the LEAP Ambassadors to join their tailgate celebration.
As volunteers, our duties were simple; set up and help pass out food.
We passed out over 1,200 chicken wings and they went fast! Many lined up to win a prize from the CHSS booth and get a sample of the savory wings. Although hot and crowded, the tailgate was a fun experience. Dean Abbey Zink and Associate Deans Rhonda Callaway along with Jerry Bruce also joined our pre-game celebration. It was great to see the community and faculty come together for our homecoming game against Abilene Christian University.
After our shift with CHSS ended, many of the LEAP students explored the other booths to scout out their prizes and food. We ate pizza, turkey legs, sausage wraps, popcorn, and topped it off with some sweet tea. Various booths blared music and gave free SHSU merchandise. These school spirited trinkets and momentos where used to represent our school at the game which had begun right after the festivities. The chants continued all the way to victory against ACU (48-21). The LEAP Ambassadors are always happy to try new things, especially when it involves delicious food, fun football, and volunteerism!
Every semester, the LEAP Center offers a Mock LSAT, a chance for pre-law students to practice the most important test of their careers. The Mock test is an actual exam used by the LSAT in previous years, it is professionally scored by Kaplan, and students receive their scores the day they take it. The only difference from the real thing is that this one doesn’t count.
For many of the test-takers, that’s a good thing. The scores on the Mock LSAT tend to be low, primarily because we have a lot of people who are freshmen, sophomores, or otherwise unprepared for the test. But that’s a good thing, too. The LEAP Center encourages students to try the Mock LSAT as soon as possible, allowing them to see where they are in the preparation stage, and to have a better idea about how much time they will need to be ready for the real thing. Our advice is to prepare for the LSAT correctly, and to take it once.
Here is the LEAP Center’s suggested timeline:
As early as possible, freshman year if possible: Take Mock LSAT
Spring or Summer of Junior Year: Take LSAT Prep, if needed
Summer of Junior Year/Fall of Senior Year: Take LSAT
The LSAT Prep course isn’t a panacea, and not all students will need to take it. But unless a student has the score they want to get into the school they are hoping for, or unless a student can study 12-16 hours a week without the discipline of meeting times and deadlines, then the LSAT prep is a reasonable option.
But an LSAT prep test isn’t likely to get a student from a 140 to a 160 (it’s been done, but it isn’t likely). But it might get a student from a 145 to a 152, and that’s the difference between going to Texas Southern University to going to Texas Tech, and that’s a big difference in terms of life and career opportunities.
For students with a score below a 140, particularly those who are a junior or senior, a year might not be sufficient to get the score you need. For those in this situation, a gap year should be considered, while a long-term plan for LSAT-prep is undertaken. For those who are scoring in the 160s, a good law school is already within reach, and it’s just a matter of how high you can climb.
But whatever the goals the student has, taking the Mock LSAT early on in his/her school career is to the student’s advantage.
The LEAP Center will likely offer another Mock LSAT in February 2017.
Thirty or so bright- eyed students attentively paid attention to Danielle Saveedra, the Associate Dean of Recruitment for Texas Tech University’s School of Law. She was presenting information on the next stage these aspiring attorneys-to-be were contemplating: applying to law school. Crucial questions such as where to start when considering law school, the application process, and what to look for in a law school, were all discussed during the presentation and absorbed by the students.
Ms. Saveedra had come to SHSU to guide us through the process of preparing for law school. In a nutshell, she walked us through:
A timeline for law-school preparation
Taking the LSAT
Deciding which law schools to send applications
Applying to Law School, including
sending in transcripts, reference letters, the resume, and the personal statement
This may sound quite simple, however it is in fact considerably challenging. A law school’s environment whether cut-throat or nurturing, emphasis on certain types of law, and cost of living, Ms. Saavedra told us, will influence where a student may decide to go. Decisions on what law schools to apply to (each application has a fee), or choosing between a good law school that costs less versus a more prestigious at a higher cost can pose challenges even to a well-prepped student.
However, all of these decisions were weighed and measured during the law school informational. Ms. Saveedra covered every single possible piece of information needed to be successful in law school and gave constructive tips. Every prospective attorney left reeling with information, but departed knowing they were now better prepared for the challenging journey ahead. Law school will now be less intimidating, allowing students to further their education in the legal field.
“Everyone please take your seats, turn off your phones, and open any candy wrapper that needs to be opened. The show will now begin.” The Leap Ambassadors enthusiastically sat down inside the Erica Starr Theatre waiting for the curtains to open as they were waiting for “Noises Off” to begin. This three act play is well known for its converging perspectives that revolve around one plot. It is a “play within a play.”
The main story consists of a theatrical group trying to put together a performance in the midst of personal drama, lovers’ quarrels, quirky characters, and a director with a god complex. During the first act, we are introduced to the different characters during the dress rehearsal of their own play “Noises On.” Just like any other dress rehearsal, there were many missed cues, missed lines, and missing (drunk) actors …”well, you know,” as Garry says. In the second act, the actual performance begins and we see the backstage perspective. The performers have been left on their own and tension is high. Mayhem runs rampant behind the scenes, and at some points even on stage. Regardless of everyone “trying” to get the show on the road, axes fly, bourbon bottles are drunk, and slaps are thrown around, making for a spectacularly silly sight to behold.
The third and final act allowed the viewers to see the final performance of “Noises On” in its full glory.
A very short glory that is, as sardines went flying everywhere along with the actors. Doors opened and doors closed (on the characters). And sometimes they could not be opened again. But we did have to applaud their improvisation skills coupled with a great choreography. It gave the audience a big laugh as we watched their performance go from bad to worse, leaving the audience to ponder Brooke’s “Sorry?”
As the remarkable farce ended, everyone laughed and cheered while giving the SHSU performers a standing ovation as the SHSU theater department once more gave an excellent performance.
The breeze blew in the trees, and the sun shone down on the flowers that surround SHSU’s beautiful campus. Amidst this scenery, most students made their way home from class, hearing the last chimes of the clock tower echoing around the brick buildings on campus. But for the LEAP Ambassadors, the 5 o’clock chimes were a call to gallop to our volunteer duties at the Walker Education Center for the western-themed Republican Roundup.
We all were assigned our stations and were ready for the rowdy crowd to come. Some of us were in charge of check-in tables…
…front and back, check-in tables…
….while other were in charge of serving an all American cuisine composed of hot dogs, potato salad, sweet tea, Blue Bell ice cream, and apple pie!
As the crowds drew into the decorated ballroom and found their seats amongst the sunflower center pieces that brightened up each table, Mrs. McKenzie, Chair of the Walker County Republican Party, welcomed people to the event.
After the applause died down from the crowd, the time most of us were most looking forward to had come – time to meet November’s candidates! Each candidate whose name will be on the upcoming November-election ballot was introduced and those with contested positions made their concise speeches while asking for everyone’s support. Once each candidate finished speaking, the crowd applauded them for their courage to run for office and make a difference in their communities.
This slideshow requires JavaScript.
Even though the event was quickly wrapping up, many stayed to mingle (while enjoying dessert)…
….with candidates and those who already hold a position in office.
As the night ended with many shaken hands, the crowd made their way towards the doors ready to make an informed decision on the upcoming elections.
Huntsville is home to many hidden architectural treasures that make this town a special place. On the last heART of Huntsville, we decided to pay a visit to three of these many gems. We started off the night at one of the local homes built by Dan Phillips: The Boot Home.
The Boot Home has been the subject of much conversation, due to its location on busy 11th street (aka, HWY 30) and its obvious resemblance to the Texas boot.
To introduce Mr. Phillips told us about his construction company, Phoenix Commotion. As founder of the company, Mr. Phillips focuses on eliminating construct waste and building environmentally-friendly homes for low-income individuals. Apart from doing his best to help those in need, he also explores his own artistic abilities.
He told us how there are two kinds of people, those of Apollonian and Dionysian thought. Whereas the Apollonians want everything to be perfect where perfection may not be possible, the Dionysians don’t care for perfection and are more organic. Mr. Phillips told us how he sees the world in this non-perfectionist view, where you can make things in different shapes, sizes, and forms using unconventional methods to create a one-of-a-kind Dionysian home. Every one of his homes has his own signature quirk; a tree house with a glass floor, a home made out of bones, a story-book home, a beer home, the list goes on with unimaginable creativity.
After we heard about the inspiration behind the homes, we were ready to go inside this wonderful piece of art. The Boot was not big enough for our whole group to go into at once; therefore, we had to take turns. Inside the Boot there are two bedrooms, a kitchen, a bathroom, a study (or small bedroom), and a living room (just enough for a small family). As you travel up the stairs (located within the boot)…
…you are brought to a beautiful deck overlooking the neighborhood. It is a very creative use of the extra space. Everyone enjoyed taking photos of the Boot,
…and, of course, conversing with its creator, Dan Phillips, , as we began to venture onto our next stop: The Kellogg-Pritchett Home.
Mary Laura Gibbs bought the home in 2006 and renovated it while maintaining its original Folk Victorian architecture. The home has beautiful architecture on the inside and outside, reminiscent of Huntsville’s early days. One of these features were the rolling doors between the two main parlors whose great, wooden grain was used to divide the rooms during special events. She also set out a painting that dated back to the 50’s, which showed us how the home and property originally looked like in the early 19th century.
As we walked through the home, Ms. Gibbs told us how the kitchen was originally detached from the home, how there was a farm area for the family, and how the home housed the first tennis court in the city of Huntsville. We then moved on to the beautiful dinning room, made even greater with a mural painted by Lee Jamison.
It was painted to look like a gazebo and it included lots of little creatures that are home to Texas and even a few that were created by the artist. He had us try to find the U.S.A snake and Texas painted butterfly.
It was a beautiful room with lots of detail. Everyone was in awe of his work and the beauty he was able to create. We then moved on to the kitchen that was painted red and yellow (popular kitchen colors in Europe). She also showed us her beloved water pump. Everyone was impressed by how it is still fully functioning today!
With the night coming to an end, we concluded our tour of the lovely Kellogg-Pritchett Home by sharing our appreciation and love for the home.
And, while most of us moved on eagerly to the Wynne Home, the Peases enjoyed a peaceful moment on the porch swing…
We then moved on to our last location of the night (and heART of Huntsville) the always beautiful Wynne Home.
At the Wynne Home, we were welcomed with the smell of wonderful food and great company provided by the Friends of the Wynne. We were welcomed to tour the home as Ms. Gaertner and Ms. Maloney finished preparing our Thanksgiving-like feast. Former interns, Beatriz Martinez and Jessica Northam, along with current intern Karen Tinajero, helped give tours to the group and tell the rich history of the home. The guests were delighted to hear of the home’s 1883 inception, the family history, and how it was donated to the city and is now Huntsville’s own Cultural Center. After roaming around the Wynne Home, everyone settled down to enjoy their delicious meal and take their final quiz, which would demonstrate what they had learned the past four weeks.
After the food, those interested purchased a Jamison Austin College print autographed by the artist.
As the ambassadors stayed to help finish cleaning up after the meal…
…the rest of our guests expressed how impressed they had been with the program and promised to come back next year for more art-filled adventures! We are immensity grateful to the Friends of Wynne’s exceptional dinner and to our amazing program participants who made the experience so amazing.
Center for Law, Engagement, and Politics 