Author: mikeyawn

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.

Community Celebration of Henderson Yoakum’s Legacy in Huntsville

Community leaders help preserve history, and today, members of the Sons of the Republic of Texas, Henderson Yoakum Chapter, gathered at Oakwood Cemetery in Huntsville to honor the birthday and legacy of Henderson Yoakum. The ceremony featured remarks from Tom Rogers of the Walker County Historical Commission, Mac Woodward, a descendant of Yoakum, event organizer Donna Coffen, and historian Dr. Caroline Crimm in front of an audience of 30-40 community members, descendants, and others interested in Texas history.

Born in Tennessee in 1810, Henderson King Yoakum graduated from West Point in 1832 before pursuing law and politics in Murfreesboro, serving as mayor (1837) and in the Tennessee Senate (1839–45), where he advocated for Texas annexation. After relocating to Huntsville, Texas, in 1845, he established his legal career, helped make Huntsville the county seat, served as penitentiary director, and drafted Austin College’s charter, serving as its trustee (1849–56). In 1855, he authored a landmark two‑volume History of Texas covering its first settlement through annexation.

The ceremony went through these accomplishments and others, with Mac Woodward highlighting some of Yoakum’s descendants…

…Dr. Crimm providing a context for Yoakum’s accomplishments and today’s ceremony…

…and Tom Rogers and Donna Coffen illustrating the work done by the Walker County Historical Commission.

The event served as a needed reminder of Henderson Yoakum’s contributions to both local and state history, while also providing a community gathering for those who preserve Huntsville’s rich legacy.

Icons and Innovation: Exploring American Art and Architecture

Introduction
Our trip through New England and New York was as much a journey through art and history as it was through towns and landscapes. We ended the day in the capitol (Albany) of one of the largest states in the Union, but we began it in the Rockwellian cottage of Stockbridge, MA–the home town of Norman Rockwell.

Norman Rockwell Museum

By Michelle Moya

For our first stop in Stockbridge, we visited the Norman Rockwell Museum. Before the trip, I had watched a documentary on Rockwell’s life and career, which gave me a deeper appreciation for what we were about to see. It traced his progression from lighthearted Saturday Evening Post covers to later works that confronted civil rights and human rights, and it gave me a better foundation for understanding the galleries.

The museum’s collection highlights Rockwell’s most iconic pieces, including the Four Freedoms series. Inspired by Franklin D. Roosevelt’s 1941 speech, these four paintings—Freedom of Speech, Freedom from Want, Freedom to Worship, and Freedom from Fear—remain some of his most recognizable works. Each takes a sweeping political idea and places it in the context of everyday life.

Freedom of Speech shows an ordinary man rising to speak at a town meeting, who appears to have a modest jacket and steady expression. Freedom from Want was Olivia’s favorite: the Thanksgiving turkey at the center of the table, family gathered in warmth and abundance. Freedom to Worship and Freedom from Fear are quieter but equally moving, offering a reminder of how Rockwell could find dignity in ordinary moments.

My own favorite was Main Street, Stockbridge at Christmas, Rockwell’s portrait of his hometown blanketed in snow and glowing with holiday lights. It is a beautiful painting, and as someone who loves Christmas, I couldn’t help but imagine what it would be like to actually visit Stockbridge during the season. It captures Rockwell at his most nostalgic, and it made me want to see the town in person during my favorite holiday.

Some of Rockwell’s later and more serious work also stood out. The Problem We All Live With, sometimes called his “Board of Education” painting, shows six-year-old Ruby Bridges walking to school, escorted by U.S. Marshals. The white wall behind her, scrawled with a racial slur and marked by a thrown tomato, makes the scene even more striking.

There were lighter touches as well. The museum includes some of Rockwell’s early commercial work, such as advertisements for Edison Mazda Lamps published in The Saturday Evening Post. These remind visitors that Rockwell was as much an illustrator as a painter, and that his storytelling instincts carried across everything he created.

A special highlight was the I Spy exhibition by Walter Wick, whose intricate dioramas and search-and-find photographs were a fun, interactive touch for children and adults. The exhibit encouraged visitors to slow down and look closely, much like Rockwell’s paintings.

It was interesting to see how the Norman Rockwell Museum fully captures the range of his career. In one place, you can see the playful, the iconic, and the deeply serious. Between Olivia’s favorite “Freedom from Want” and my own liking to “Main Street, Stockbridge at Christmas,” it was clear how Rockwell continues to connect with people in different ways.

Mass MoCA

by Olivia Discon

Our final (pure) art stop of the trip was Mass MoCA (Massachusetts Museum of Contemporary Art), a museum housed in a former industrial complex that has been repurposed into one of the largest centers for contemporary art in the country.

The building itself is a bit of a maze (ed. note: she got lost), but that only added to the fun of exploring it.

We started with James Turrell’s Roden Crater-inspired exhibit, which featured several surreal experiences centered on light and perception. One room, completely blacked out, challenged visitors to sit in total darkness for 15 minutes. While Professor Yawn and Stephanie lasted the full time, Moya and I called it quits after approximately eight minutes. In the silence, I started to see faint colors—likely just the brain reacting like when you rub your eyes too hard—but still interesting.

Other Turrell works played with color and depth perception.

One installation allowed us to walk into what looked like a glowing square of color—an endless void of pinks, greens, and yellows.

We also stepped into one of his classic Skyspaces, where the ceiling frames the sky in a way that turns shifting clouds and colors into living art.

Beyond Turrell, the museum offered much more. Louise Bourgeois’s exhibit was a highlight for me, especially her piece Entangled, which captured so much emotion through abstract form.

Sol LeWitt’s sprawling wall drawings filled a labyrinthine gallery with bold patterns in both black-and-white and vibrant colors.

We even wandered into a “music room” filled with instruments past their prime—though that didn’t stop us from making enough noise to temporarily damage our own hearing.

Mass MoCA was a perfect way to end the art portion of our trip: immersive, challenging, and just plain fun.

New York State Capitol

by Olivia Discon

For our final state of the trip, we made our way up to New York. Driving past the Hudson River on the way into Albany felt especially fitting, since the river inspired the Hudson River School painters and many transcendentalist writers, both of which we’ve touched on during this trip.

Our last stop was the New York State Capitol, one of only nine state capitols without a dome. Built over more than three decades and designed by multiple architects, the building makes up for its lack of dome with incredible stonework and elaborate detail. The grand staircase was particularly striking, lit by lamps with exposed bulbs, a symbol of modernity in its time.

Although the House and Senate chambers were closed, we managed to peek through the glass doors. The stained glass in the Assembly chamber stood out as especially beautiful, making it one of my favorite legislative chambers we’ve seen so far. The Capitol also houses the Hall of Governors, a portrait gallery of past governors—including four who went on to serve as U.S. presidents.

Art is woven throughout the building as well. We saw numerous New York landscapes and scenes…

…along with modern sculptures outside in the Empire State Plaza. Among the recognizable artists were George Rickey, Alexander Calder…

Claes Oldenburg….

…and Ellsworth Kelly.

The New York State Capitol was a wonderful conclusion to our trip. Between the history, the architecture, and the art, it was a reminder of how much one place can tell us about both state and national identity.

Concluding Thoughts

Taken together, the Norman Rockwell Museum, Mass MoCA, and the New York State Capitol highlighted the remarkable range of American creativity and civic expression.

Rockwell’s art reminded us of the power of storytelling in everyday life, while Mass MoCA challenged us to step outside the familiar and embrace new ways of seeing.

The New York State Capitol, with its blend of politics, history, and art, grounded the trip in the institutions that shape public life.

Each stop added its own layer to our journey, leaving us with a deeper appreciation for how art and architecture reflect the spirit of their time—and continue to inspire today.

Labor Day: A Banner Day for Workers

Every year on the first Monday in September, Americans celebrate Labor Day. While some celebrate with a long weekend of end-of-summer festivities, the Holiday originated as a tribute to the social and economic achievements of our nation’s workers.

The Lions Club and the LEAP Ambassadors celebrate the day by planting flags–early in the morning–across the extended downtown in Huntsville, an activity undertaken on most major holidays.

For us, it is not only a community-building exercise, but also a way to remind people the meaning behind their day off work.

Starting with municipal ordinances in the mid‑1880s and pioneering state laws—Oregon led the way in 1887, followed by states like Colorado, Massachusetts, New Jersey, and New York—more states followed suit. By 1894, 23 states had adopted the holiday—what political scientists call “policy diffusion”—and on June 28 of that year, Congress passed the law making the first Monday in September a national holiday.

Lion Liesa Hackett Distributes Flags to Runners

There’s a rivalry of sorts over who first proposed the idea—Peter J. McGuire (a noted labor leader) suggested a “general holiday for the laboring classes,” while others credit Matthew Maguire, secretary of a local union, with proposing the concept in the same year. Regardless, it was the Central Labor Union in New York City that organized the first Labor Day parade, held on September 5, 1882, setting the celebratory template of processions, picnics, and public speeches.

Over time, Labor Day has evolved into an annual celebration of American labor or, at least, a day free from labor. For the Lions Club—and by extension, the LEAP Ambassadors—it’s also a way to build stronger communities and remind people the meaning behind the holiday.

The LEAP Center thanks the Lions Club for permitting them to assist with the Flag Project.

Legislatures and Literary Lions: Hartford, CT

The LEAP Center is known for its interdisciplinary adventures, and today was no different, as we visited another state capitol, the estate of literary lion, and a Guatemalan restaurant–in Hartford, CT, no less!

Connecticut State House

Nestled in the 41-acre Bushnell Memorial Park in Hartford, the Connecticut State Capitol first welcomed the General Assembly in January 1879 after eight years of planning and construction. A commission formed in 1871 selected architect Richard M. Upjohn, whose father also worked on the Boston Commons, providing us with generational and geographical continuity, even as we visit different sites built in different locations.

James G. Batterson supervised construction, and he significantly altered Upjohn’s design. Using marble and granite from New England, he built a beautiful sculpture that prompted the New York Times to note, that in the sun, the building “sparkled like a fairy palace of frost work.”

It didn’t sparkle on the day we visited; it rained, which also discouraged us from getting a shot of the exterior, but the LEAP Ambassadors of 2018 took a photo on a similar trip.

The building features a gold-leaf dome, and the structure is sometimes referred to as “high Victorian” and sometimes as “Eastlake,” a confusion caused, in part, by the competing visions of the architect and construction supervisor.

Both the exterior and interior feature emblems of the state’s past. One of the more interesting of these is the Charter Oak. Connecticut had a royal charter that largely gave it control over its own governance, but this was threatened in the late 1600s, when King James II tried to revoke the Charter and exert more control. When the King’s men tried to take the Charter, the colonists–Captain Joseph Wadsworth, in particular–took the document and hid it in a white oak tree, which is, not surprisingly, the state tree.

That tree became known as the Charter Oak, and although a storm toppled the tree in 1856, the wood was used to create other items, some of which can be found in the capitol. Its image is also featured on the state’s quarter and on a stamp.

Of course, the Capitol also houses both legislative chambers—the State Senate Chamber and the Hall of the House of Representatives—as well as offices for the Governor, Lieutenant Governor, and Secretary of the State.

It also houses “The Genius of Connecticut,” a 17 foot, 10 inch statue created by Randolph Rogers. The winged figure holds immortalis in her right hand; a mountain laurel (the state flower) in her right; and her head is wreathed in leaves from the white oak.

Formerly, “The Genius of Connecticut” was perched atop the capitol, but she was removed following a hurricane. The statue was melted to make ammunition during World War II. Fortunately, however, the original plaster model was found, and in 2009, a replica of the original was returned to the capitol, albeit in the rotunda rather than in the cupola/dome.

Aurora’s Restaurant

Texans believe that eating Latino cuisine outside of a border state is questionable at best and potentially dangerous. But we are not faint of heart, and we know that immigrants who know food are not limited in where they settle, so we happily braved the rain to visit Aurora’s Restaurant, which serves Guatemalan food, in Hartford, Connecticut.

The staff were welcoming and courteous. They spoke Spanish when not speaking to us, adding to what would prove to be a rewarding an authentic culinary experience.

We sampled a variety of dishes, including the Burrito Bowl, Tortillas con Chorizo, an Aurora Bowl, and plantains–the latter drizzled with crema and topped with queso fresca. All of the dishes were excellent, but the plantains were among the best we had ever had.

We left with full stomachs, and also ever more aware that, to paraphrase Mark Twain, travel is fatal to preconceptions.

Mark Twain House

by Olivia Discon

Samuel Clemens—better known as Mark Twain—was one of America’s most influential authors and storytellers. His works such The Adventures of Huckleberry Finn and Life on the Mississippi are classics. But while his writing is widely known, fewer people know about the man himself, the life he led, or his stunning Victorian home in Hartford, Connecticut.

We weren’t allowed to take photos inside, but our tour guide, Josh, brought the house to life with vivid stories. The home has had many lives—at one point an apartment building, later a school, and even a library—before being restored as a museum. Over time, renovations stripped away original touches, including designs by Louis Comfort Tiffany (which, to my dismay, were once considered unfashionable). Thankfully, the museum has worked to restore the home as closely as possible to how it looked when the Clemens family lived there, guided in part by the memories of their daughter, Clara.

The library was the most charming room. Its mantelpiece, a hand-carved work from Ireland, is extravagant. Whimsical portraits—a cat, a rabbit, and a woman in blue affectionately named Eveline by the Clemens daughters–hung on the walls. Each night, Twain would spin bedtime stories using these characters. If he ever repeated a storyline, his daughters would call him out, forcing him to start fresh. According to Josh, Twain may have done this intentionally just to test whether they were paying attention. The library also included a small conservatory filled with greenery, along with a decorative frog—a playful nod to Twain’s famous short story, The Celebrated Jumping Frog of Calaveras County.

We also visited Twain’s office, which doubled as his billiard room. It was here that he wrote, smoked cigars, played pool, and paced while working through drafts. A shelf of cubbies held his unfinished manuscripts—something I secretly envied.

The house also carries the weight of the family’s tragedies. Their daughter Susy died of meningitis in the home at just 24 years old. And, owing to financial difficulties, the family eventually had to sell the home, much to Twain’s chagrin.

Even with its history of sorrow, Twain often described the Hartford house as the setting for some of the happiest years of his life. It was, he noted, “the loveliest home that ever was.” Walking through its cozy, richly detailed rooms, we found ourselves understanding that sentiment.

Photo Ops

Following our day in Hartford, we headed north, toward Stockbridge, MA, preparing ourselves for another full day tomorrow. But along the way, we stopped to see Herman Melville’s home, “Arrowhead”…

Herman Mellville’s “Arrowhead,” (Photo by Daderot)

…and “The Mount,” the home of Edith Wharton.

Edit Wharton’s “The Mount” (Photo by David Dashiell)

Concluding Thoughts

It’s difficult to organize disparate adventures into a memorable and cohesive learning experience. But through some preparation, a desire for new experiences, and an open mind, we managed to see quite a lot and assimilate almost as much. A beautiful state capitol designed by Richard M. Upjohn, a great Guatemalan restaurant in the heart of Hartford, and the “loveliest home that ever was” by the quintessential American author–all in the day of LEAP Ambassador.

Rhode Island’s Silver Lady, Independent Man, and Us

Rhode Island is the smallest state in the Union, but that hasn’t stopped us from having a big time. Whether learning about the health care system, apprenticeships, utility provision, or the criminal justice system, we’ve found the conference rewarding. Moreover, we’ve benefitted from some amazing networking opportunities and some off-site excursions–which included parasailing! But our last day of the official conference promised more learning and interest.

A Silver Lining to our Last Session

by Michelle Moya

As our final day in Providence drew to a close, Olivia and I attended a farewell session that offered a refreshing departure from the usual conference format. Instead of policy panels and legislative discussions, we found ourselves in a fireside chat with three-time Olympian Elizabeth Beisel, hosted by Margie O’Brien, with breakfast served alongside inspiration.

The session started off with something special: Beisel passed around her actual Olympic medals—silver from London 2012 and bronze from Beijing 2008—for everyone to see and hold.

The weight of these medals surprised me, both literally and figuratively, but I snapped a photo holding both…

Beisel’s story begins in Rhode Island, the “Ocean State.” At just 15, while still a high school sophomore, she made the U.S. Olympic team for Beijing 2008. What makes her journey particularly remarkable is her decision to stay and train in Rhode Island rather than relocating to traditional swimming powerhouses like Florida or California.

This choice to remain rooted in her home state would become a recurring theme throughout her career—the value of staying true to your origins and finding excellence in unexpected places.

Perhaps the most compelling aspect of our conversation centered around Beisel’s 2012 London Olympics silver medal, which she’s transformed from a simple athletic achievement into a life philosophy. Her book, titled “Silver Lining,” explores the emotions of accomplishing something extraordinary that still falls short of your ultimate dream.

After retiring at 24, Beisel embraced opportunities she’d spent years declining during her competitive career. This included an appearance on Survivor, where she lived outdoors for 30 days with no food, shelter, or supplies beyond basic tools and access to water. While the experience tested her in entirely new ways, it proved rewarding in an unexpected manner—she met her future husband on the show.

Her post-competition journey illustrates an important lesson about saying “yes” to new experiences and remaining open to life’s unexpected directions, themes that emerged repeatedly throughout our conference discussions about career transitions and public service.

The conversation took a more serious turn as Beisel shared her experience caring for her father during his battle with pancreatic cancer. The diagnostic process stretched nearly a year, and once treatment began, she found herself becoming his advocate within a complex healthcare system—a challenge that has also been a recurring theme of our conference sessions.

The most moving portion of our session focused on Beisel’s 10.5-mile swim from Block Island to mainland Rhode Island, which raised $700,000 for pancreatic cancer research. The swim was canceled three times due to weather conditions before she finally completed it in 5 hours and 18 minutes—tragically, after her father had already passed away.

During the swim, facing cold conditions in just a regular swimsuit (marathon swimming regulations prohibit wetsuits), she found herself struggling with the elements. “Dad, give me the sun,” she whispered to her late father. Within 30 seconds, the sun emerged and remained with her throughout the remainder of the swim.

She also discovered a painted rock at her favorite seawall spot that read “Never give up” right after the third cancellation, when she was considering abandoning the project—a sign she interpreted as encouragement from her father to attempt the swim one final time.

Now working in sports journalism, Beisel covers swimming for various media outlets while preparing for 2028 LA Olympics coverage. Her transition from athlete to journalist demonstrates another form of public service—using expertise and platform to educate and inform others.

As we prepared to leave Providence, Beisel’s message reminded us that excellence takes many forms, that setbacks often lead to unexpected opportunities, and that meaningful service can emerge from personal challenges. Her story provided a fitting conclusion to our conference experience—one that emphasized resilience, adaptability, and hard work.

Rhode Island Capitol

by Michelle Moya

On our last morning in Providence, we knew there was only one fitting way to wrap up our time in the city: a visit to the Rhode Island State House. The structure combines both majesty and beauty.

Our guide, Tony–who proved excellent–began in the rotunda beneath what he called the “inner dome”—the fourth-largest self-supporting marble dome in the world.

Unlike the U.S. Capitol’s iron framework, Rhode Island’s dome is pure Georgian Cherokee marble, standing under its own weight.

As you look up, Tony explained that what seems like one mural is actually four vignettes depicting the state’s founding story: Roger Williams meeting with Narragansett chiefs Canonicus and Miantonom. Williams, a radical preacher who argued for separation of church and state—an unthinkable idea in 1635 Massachusetts—would go on to define Rhode Island’s independent spirit.

Banished from Massachusetts that same year, Williams trekked south, fell ill, and was nursed back to health by Massasoit before settling at a spring given by the Narragansetts. From there grew Providence. For a century, the “General Assembly” rotated between four towns, and for nearly 200 years the state juggled five separate capitols.

Finally, in 1890, Rhode Island commissioned McKim, Mead & White—the nation’s leading architectural firm—to design a permanent home. Completed in 1904, it was one of the first capitols to integrate electricity, a fact architect Charles McKim made clear by leaving lightbulbs exposed throughout.

Encircling the dome is a phrase from Tacitus: “Happy are those times when you can think what you want and say what you think.” Four allegorical figures—Justice, Literature, Commerce, and Education—peer down from above, all allegedly modeled after the artist’s wife.

Crowning the dome, 220 feet overhead, stands the Independent Man. During a recent cleaning the statue nearly toppled, prompting an emergency rescue and full regilding. While it was displayed inside for restoration, many visitors had the chance to take photos with him upon waiting for restoration!

From there we moved into the House chamber, the building’s largest room. This nearly 50-foot cube houses 75 representatives serving the state’s one million residents. What impressed me most was its accessibility: when not in session, visitors may walk directly onto the chamber floor and speak with legislators, something we can definitely not expect in Texas!

The Senate chamber, by contrast, felt more formal, framed by Carrara marble columns. Thirteen golden discs circle the room to represent the colonies, with Rhode Island proudly centered as the decisive 13th state to ratify the Constitution. Tony pointed out the chamber’s perfect symmetry, aligned along an axis from the Senate President’s chair through the House Speaker’s podium.

Our next stop was the State Library, with a working archive with 40,000 volumes and another 170,000 in storage. Mahogany walls surround iron staircases cleverly painted to resemble wood, and the ceiling itself mimics the look of book bindings. Renaissance printer logos decorate the cornice. In a bit of rivalry, McKim included Harvard’s insignia, despite Brown University being the nearest. Governor T.F. Green, a Brown alumnus, later had it replaced with William Caxton’s printer’s mark.

Nearby we also found the Book of Honor, listing 1,700 Rhode Islanders who died in World War II. Locked for preservation, it can be opened for families searching for loved ones’ names.

We finished off in the State Room which holds some of the building’s greatest treasures, including an original 1803 Gilbert Stuart portrait of George Washington as President, with a rainbow of hope in the background.

The room also honors Rhode Island heroes such as Oliver Hazard Perry, John Barry, and Nathanael Greene, the Quaker-turned-general who rose to become Washington’s second-in-command.

Our final stop was the museum, which preserves the state’s most important artifacts. At its center is the 1663 Royal Charter, written on animal hide and displayed in a quarter-million-dollar protective case. Granted by King Charles II, it offered Rhode Island unprecedented autonomy and religious freedom. The museum also displays the Portsmouth and Providence compacts of the 1630s, Native American land deeds signed with bow-and-arrow drawings, and even Roger Williams’ own compass and sundial.

With Rhode Island now marking my fifth capitol and Olivia’s thirteenth, this tour proved the perfect send-off to our time in Providence before hitting the road for our next state!

Concluding Thoughts

It was our last day in Rhode Island, a state we had come to admire for its beauty, history, and hospitality. Although a small state–King Ranch in Texas is larger–there was much for us to see, and we didn’t, of course, see all of it. So, it was with a tinge of sadness that we bought coffee at the charming “Rise ‘N Shine.”

Although we had to say goodbye to Rhode Island, we were heading to other green pastures, and that silver lining brought some smiles, as we thought of our impending travels to “The Constitution State,” Connecticut.

Showing Up, Working Hard, and Embracing Continuous Learning: LEAP at the CSG

Having already learned a lot at the conference and on our own, we were ready for another day of educational excursions and events. Today’s itinerary included a plenary luncheon focused on challenges associated with the availability of primary care physicians, a site visit concerning education and workforce development, and a state dinner.

Primary Care Shortages and Challenges

by Olivia Discon

Over a lunch of fish, rice, and broccoli—quite healthy (well, mostly), might I add!—we enjoyed some good company, a brief award ceremony, and a rich educational opportunity to learn about medical care in the 21st century.

To begin, we were happy for Rep. Kevin Ryan of Montville, NJ, who received the W. Paul White State and Regional Leadership Award.

we enjoyed hearing from Senator Gustavo Rivera of New York, chair of the CSG East Health Policy Committee, who discussed the suboptimal supply of primary care physicians.

Just a generation ago, a primary care physician was a trusted source of care and advice. Today, however, many cities struggle with finding doctors who will accept sufficient numbers of insurance patients to make a real difference in their communities.

The keynote speaker, Joe Telano, senior policy manager at the Primary Care Development Corporation, laid out the problem.

The existence of quality primary care physicians in communities has been demonstrated to lengthen lives, but not enough communities have access to those physicians. In turn, this creates greater stress on specialized medicine, as patients are delayed in having serious issues diagnosed and referred. Moreover, the lack of primary care physicians adds to community health problems: increased likelihood of pandemics, more suffering from chronic diseases (e.g., diabetes), and even more gun violence.

Currently, only about 5-7 percent of health care expenditures go toward primary care, and a greater investment, according to Telano, is needed. Of course, this is only one part of a comprehensive plan. Other needed changes include: insurance regulations, grants for low-income communities, and a broader perspective of what constitutes “public health.”

Interestingly, part of this expanded view of public health could include education and workforce development…

Building Futures: Apprenticeship and Workforce Development

By Michelle Moya

One of the conference highlights was the site visit for our Education and Workforce Development session, which a tour of Building Futures, Rhode Island’s premier pre-apprenticeship program. Olivia and I were joined by a diverse group of senators and representatives from across the country for what would become one of my favorite sessions.

Our visit began in the hands-on training space, where we witnessed day two of a five-week intensive course. The tour was led by Andrew Cortez, president of Building Futures and a former apprentice himself, who shared insight into what the program is and what makes it effective.

Building Futures connects community residents to registered apprenticeship opportunities in the building trades. The program has a dual mission: preparing individuals for apprenticeships through training and readiness while also partnering with project owners to require apprentice participation in construction. This two-pronged approach ensures both workforce preparation and job placement.

Cortez emphasized that success in the trades depends on three essentials: showing up every day on time, working hard, and applying yourself to learn. Technical skills matter, but they rest on these fundamental values of reliability, perseverance, and a willingness to grow. As a student, I found this surprisingly inspiring. It reminded me that success in any field—whether in school or in a career—often comes down to those same habits. Technical skills can be taught, but without consistency and the right attitude, it’s hard to succeed anywhere.

From the active training floor, we transitioned to a classroom setting where our group of legislators and workforce development professionals gathered around tables for a deeper conversation about the program. A highlight of our roundtable was learning about recent legislation that allows apprenticeship pathways to count toward college credit in Rhode Island. Senator Hanna Gallo, who helped lead this effort, joined us for the discussion, along with Matt Weldon, Director of the Department of Labor and Training.

The program’s impact became tangible through the graduates who shared their stories with us. Vennicia Kingston, who transitioned from banking to carpentry, now owns Eagle Eye Construction Services and employs multiple Building Futures alumni—a great example of how networking creates a cycle of opportunity. Another graduate shared how, just months after incarceration, he not only completed his apprenticeship but also bought his first home and eventually built his own million-dollar construction company.

These transformations illustrate what Cortez stressed throughout our visit: the most valuable skills are consistency, work ethic, and a learning mindset. This philosophy mirrors the character development emphasized in LEAP, where academic and career success are built on the foundation of personal responsibility and values.

As we concluded our tour and roundtable discussion, one lesson stood out clearly: good students and successful professionals are people who show up, work hard, and embrace continuous learning. This blend of character and skill creates pathways to both personal transformation and economic opportunity—lessons we will carry forward as we pursue our future goals.

State Dinner

by Olivia Discon

The conference concluded with the State Dinner, the most formal event of the conference, where we dined with some of the event organizers, an event photographer, as well as some fellow southerners. Senator Walter Michel–whom we had lunch with–and his wife, Laura, joined us for a nice meal and delightful conversation.

We also had a chance to see the host committee, who spent years planning for this event, be recognized.

The main event, however, was the meal, which featured a three-course meal including a beef entrée, asparagus, and potatoes as its main course, along with a salad and a scrumptious dessert (Chocolate Mousse).

In the background wafted the swing beat of Sinatra tunes, performed by Michael Dutra: “Simply Sinatra.”

We shared stories about our visits to waterfalls in North Carolina, where one of the event organizers is from, to challenges faced by the Mississippi Legislature, to the decreasing importance of ISO in modern cameras. It was a wonderful way to cap our evening programs at the Council of State Governments–East.

A Sense-Sational Day in the Ocean State

It was a day to remember: we had already luxuriated in the extravagance of the Newport Mansions; enjoyed the sun, the wind, and the rush of parasailing. And still we had much to do. We wanted to spend a little time on the beach on Aquindeck Island, seeing wildlife and enjoying the coastal breeze; trying some of Rhode Island’s tastier dinner spots; and witnessing first-hand the famed installation art Waterfire.

Aquindeck Island

You might be forgiven if you think that Rhode Island is surrounded by water. That is, after all, the definition of an island. But the state of Rhode Island isn’t an island. Originally, Rhode Island consisted of settlements such as Newport and Portsmouth, which are, in fact, on an island, plus the territory on the mainland (Providence). This, then, is the Rhode Island in the State’s name, which was technically, “Rhode Island and the Providence Plantations.”

No one, however, used the full name of the island. Still, the State stuck with “Rhode Island and the Providence Plantations” for some 300 years, only changing its name officially in 2020.

Nonetheless, Rhode Islanders do have quick access to the shore; in fact, by our calculations, everyone in the state can get to the ocean or a bay in less than 35 minutes. It may not be an island, but it can fairly call itself “The Ocean State.”

Accordingly, as part of our Rhode Island explorations, we spent considerable time alternating between land and sea–and, as we noted in our prior blog, the air.

But we also wanted a closer, more tactile feel of the Rhode Island Coastline. So we drove along Ocean Drive, walking on the rocks; traipsing along the shore, where the wet waves tickled our feet; and overall gaining a different sensory perspective of Rhode Island.

We saw more evidence of the wealth that populates the coastline…

…and we observed and listened to some of the coastal wildlife.

It was, as the photos attest, a very different experience than the beaches with which we were familiar (e.g., Galveston).

All this touring, parasailing, beachcombing, and wildlife watching helped us build up a hunger, which made (most of) us think of seafood. To that end, we researched restaurants en route to our evening conference destination, and we found Track 15, a food court on the river.

Track 15

What kind of dining establishment, you ask, is named “Track 15?” In this case, it is a dining destination at the former Union Station (1898), which housed 14 separate railroad tracks. The food court, then, is an extension of a key transportation hub in Providence’s history, the 15th Track.

The 15th Track doubles as a “third place,” a place that brings people together while also allowing the past and present to intermingle. The restaurants are adjacent to Providence’s Waterplace Park, an urban park where the land and sea merge and people gather, coming together. Even the experience of dining is reimagined, bringing the past to the present: some of the eating establishments offer menus in the shape of arrival/departure boards of the old railroad stations; and the table tops on which we and others ate were made from wood recycled from the old rail cars.

True to Rhode Island’s proximity to the sea, we enjoyed an excellent (small) seafood platter (clams, mussels and shrimp), fish, and a lobster roll.

But we mixed it up a bit, and we also tried some pasta; true to the spirit of being in a former transportation hub, we also wanted some food more common to other places.

The food was excellent. The pasta was hand-rolled and featured subtle flavors that came together just right. The lobster was creamy and fluffy; the fish buttery and flaky; and the seafood platter a surprising variety of flavors: the clams were sweet and light; the mussels more tender and briny; and the oysters clean and less salty than one would imagine.

We also enjoyed the people watching. There is both indoor and outdoor seating, and the latter features games, versatile seating, and alcoves. People played cornhole; mothers danced and laughed with daughters; and others just relaxed and listened, delighting in the nice weather.

Following this enjoyable sensory experience, we ambled on to our next stop, Waterplace Park.

Waterfire

To end our day, we attended a reception in downtown Providence organized for us by the Council of State Governments and operated by WaterFire , a nonprofit dedicated to revitalizing city life through visual and performance art.

We set up stations and split into two groups to capture different photos and videos of the evening. Hundreds of people were in attendance, including legislators, conference participants, local residents, and passersby.

As the crowd filled the beautiful space, the event began with a ceremonial gong. An eclectic playlist emanated from speakers in the park. Myriad musical styles were represented: African, Latino, 60s Rock, Classical, Rap, and Alt-Contemporary. The music was selected consciously, offering a global scope to the ceremony, reflecting the goal of bringing people together.

The installation sculpture incorporates the world’s four elements. humans sit on the earth surrounding the water. The Fire Dancer enters…

…while fire starters and fire tenders light logs on fire, and as the wind sweeps along the river, sparks fly in the air.

Conceived as performance art, the ceremony is multi-sensory: the sound of the music, the touch of the wind and the heat on the skin, the smell of the fire, and, of course, the visual spectacle of a fire coming forth from water.

The event was effective in stimulating our senses, while also playing with our expectations. What we all agreed on was that it was a thought-provoking and interesting event that brought strangers and friends together while highlighting the beauty of Providence, Rhode Island.

It was a sense-sational way to end a full day in Providence, Rhode Island.

The Gilded Age in Rhode Island

It was an excursion day at the conference, where guests had the opportunity to go to Newport, Rhode Island and see some of the Host State’s most intriguing sites. In Rhode Island, this involves a slew of Gilded Age Mansions, and we managed to fit in three separate homes: The Breakers, the Marble House, and Rosecliff.

Newport, Rhode Island has beauty, temperate summers, and its location on a picturesque coastline have made it an ideal location for summer homes for the wealthy. Over the decades, however, not all of the owners’ descendants have wanted to maintain these homes, nor is it easy to find buyers for structures worth, according to recent estimates, 500 million.

Fortunately, the Preservation Society of Newport County purchased many of these homes over the past sixty years, and they have made them available for touring to the general public. For those interested, ticket options include The Breakers + 1 or The Breakers + 2 or specialty tours (e.g., “Under The Breakers Tour”). We opted for The Breakers + 1, with the idea that after seeing the main attraction, we would “breakup” and see different houses (Moya and Discon: Rosecliff; Mike and Stephanie: The Marble House).

The Marble House

The wealthy had lived in Newport prior to the construction of “The Marble House” by William Vanderbilt, but this home was the first of the stone-built mansions that would eventually dot the coastline. An aptly-named structure if ever there was one, the Marble House was designed by Richard Morris Hunt, featured fifty rooms, 140,000 square feet of space, and 500,000 cubic feet of marble.

William Vanderbilt gave it to Alva as a gift for her 39th birthday, which makes you wonder what he would have given to her for, say, her fiftieth birthday. We’ll never know, because she divorced him not long after, and she kept the house.

Done largely in a Beaux-Arts style, the home was unparalleled in opulence when it was completed in 1892. It sits on the Atlantic coast, overlooking the ocean, features two-story Corinthian columns, and its western facade somewhat resembles the White House. With its size and splendor, the home has been the setting for many films and television shows, including The Great Gatsby (1974), 27 Dresses, The Buccaneers, and The Gilded Age.

For those visiting in person, however, the entry is through two doors (with WV on the front) that weigh one-and-a-half tons each, an entry that offers a breath-taking view of the grand staircase.

This two-level room is inspired by both the Palace of Versailles and the Louvre. The banister is wrought iron with bronze gilding, the room gleams with yellow Siena marble, and an eighteenth century mural graces the ceiling, above a gold and crystal chandelier.

Each room offers similarly notable features. The dining room–which was unlike any room we have dined in–showcases a large table with bronze chairs with gold leaf–each weighing seventy-five pounds.

The ceiling decor included game such that might be served for dinner.

The gold room is, as one might expect, predominately gold, but it is accented by green silk drapes (by Prelle) and black.

The most ornate room, however, was the gothic room, which featured Alva Vanderbilt’s collection of medieval art and artifacts, all situated in a room with gothic elements.

By itself, the Marble House offers a class in architecture, interior design, art, history, and excess.

But it is also interesting as a window to an age in which the wealthy competed with each other for even greater conspicuous splendor, which we weren’t sure was even possible until we visited The Breakers.

The Breakers

by Olivia Discon

It’s difficult to select a favorite house, but there is a reason that The Breakers is common to most of the tours. Built in 1895 and designed by Richard Morris Hunt for the Cornelius Vanderbilt family, the home boasts 70 rooms and 138,000 square feet. With a fortune built on shipping and railroads, the Vanderbilts were one of America’s wealthiest families, and their wealth is evident everywhere in the home.

Visitors to the home first see “The Great Hall,” which was inspired by an Italian Courtyard. Not wanting a true open roof, the family opted for a ceiling with a trompe l’oeil mural to mimic the open sky.

Built in a perfect cube–50 by 50 by 50–this single room is larger than the average American house. The term “great” simply doesn’t do the hall justice.

The Billiard Room was another favorite of the group. The mosaic floor was adorned with coastal details, the walls featured “arches” painted in gold leaf, and the room was designed with numerous elements, making for a fun “I Spy” type game for visitors.

Although we were a bit tired from waking up so early, we couldn’t help but fall in love with the “Morning Room.” The room faces east, allowing the sun to pour into the chamber, and the warm lighting and yellow-hued adornments provided a welcoming warmth. The idea of having a room so opulent and just for the morning hours is such a Vanderbilt type of luxury.

One of most interesting aspects of the house is that each room offers intricate and elaborate details that are ripe for overlooking things. To take an example, the Morning Room features panels with cherubs, which, at first glance, appear to simply be classically-themed lagniappe. Upon closer look, however, you see that one cherub is holding an anchor; the other is holding a railroad spike and hammer. Both tie back into the source of the Vanderbilt’s income–the income that made such decor possible.

Each room offered something special. The Loggia offered a breath-taking view of the ocean;

…the bedrooms, although described by the owners as more “austere” than the public-facing rooms, were still opulent, each featuring separate baths, dressing rooms, and walk-in closets;

…and the library was perhaps the most stunning, with the wood doors that had gold leaf pressed into them to give an appearance of a storybook cover, and upper walls lined with green Spanish leather, providing the look of a hide-bound book.

It’s difficult to fathom that such a home was used for only part of the year, a reminder that we live in different worlds and a different age than the Vanderbilts.

Rosecliff

by Michelle Moya

After exploring The Breakers, Olivia and I were especially excited to visit another Newport mansion renowned for its elegance and beauty—Rosecliff Mansion—and it absolutely lived up to its reputation.

Commissioned in 1899 by silver heiress Teresa “Tessie” Fair Oelrichs and designed by architect Stanford White, Rosecliff draws inspiration from the Grand Trianon at Versailles. Its pale limestone façade and French neoclassical design create an elegant lightness that sets it apart from Newport’s other grand estates. While Olivia and I are still learning about various architectural styles, visiting both these homes provided a perfect opportunity to deepen our understanding.

Rosecliff’s history includes dramatic turns: it was sold for a mere $21,000 in 1941, but endured severe winter damage before the Monroes refurbished it in 1947. In 1971, the Preservation Society received the mansion as a donation, and it is now considered a historic house museum, event space, and more.

Upon entering, the first thing that caught our eye was the stunning heart-shaped frame surrounding the staircase. This feature lends the entrance hall a theatrical elegance—a design element I found particularly beautiful.

Our self-guided tour began in the French Renaissance salon, which quickly became my favorite space.

The room has coffered ceilings and classical pilasters, with chandeliers adorned by musical instruments—a homage to Teresa’s talents as a master of the flute, piano, guitar, mandolin, and banjo! Similarly, portraits of society members, painted in the grand European tradition, line the walls.

Next, the tour leads to the mansion’s crown jewel: its ballroom. The ballroom measures 40 by 80 feet with high 22-foot ceilings, making it Newport’s largest private ballroom. There are windows along both sides, creating an airy ambiance, while a masterful trompe-l’œil ceiling depicts a sky-like garden landscape. This room was Olivia’s favorite, and it’s easy to see why.

While we were reading about this space, we also learned that Teresa Fair Oelrichs truly embodied Gilded Age excess, especially in fashion. Wealthy families ordered wardrobes from Charles Frederick Worth in Paris, with ladies visiting the House of Worth twice yearly, spending roughly $30,000 per visit, the equivalent of $600,000 today. This translates to annual clothing expenditures of about $1.2 million in today’s currency, which we found absolutely crazy!

The first floor also houses the Library (or Billiard Room), showcasing Stanford White’s Jacobean styling with bleached English oak paneling and a distinctive white paint.

Additionally, the Dining Room, which is now painted white, having been originally pea-green walls, was filled gold accents, silk draperies by Jules Allard, and landscape panels.

The second floor of the mansion offers additional rooms and rotating exhibits. Currently, the room hosts “Richard Morris Hunt: In a New Light,” showcasing the architect’s contributions and career.

The exhibit displayed his personal sketchbooks…

patron collections, and his creative journey…

After a stop at the gift shop, the tour led us to the mansion’s rear, where a walkway opens onto breathtaking grounds—a view we both instantly fell in love with. Rosecliff’s 21 acres of formal gardens…

oceanfront landscapes…

…and beautiful rear exterior…

…create a stunning contrast between refined architecture and Rhode Island’s rugged coastline.

Today, Rosecliff continues to host elegant gatherings and has appeared in films such as the The Great Gatsby, True Lies, Heaven’s Gate, Amistad, 27 Dresses, and many more. It stands as a great reminder of Gilded Age grandeur and a cultural treasure that Olivia and I loved exploring!

Concluding Thoughts

As noted above, The Great Gatsby, written by F. Scott Fitzgerald, was filmed at various locations on the Newport Coast. The film tries to capture visually the spirit of the book, which addresses themes such as the American Dream and materialism of the Gilded Age and its vestiges that carried over through the 1920s, when the novel was written. It’s a harsh view of the United States, and it is perhaps unfair.

But our visit to the Newport Mansions did drive home a point made by Fitzgerald in a short story described as “an extension of ‘The Great Gatsby’, “Let me tell you about the very rich. They are different from you and me….They think, deep in their hearts, that they are better than we are because we had to discover the compensations and refuges of life for ourselves….They are different.”

Our visit to the Newport Mansions was a wonderful learning experience. We had a rare chance to see the splendor that only a few people ever get to experience, and even fewer have a chance to experience as a way of life. It was a moment to soak in, a chance to see the beauty, the craftsmanship, and the intricacy that the world’s great artists and architects could create, and it was a reminder that those who lived here enjoyed very different lives than the rest of us.

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