Architecture – Center for Law, Engagement, and Politics

Highlights of the Crescent City

It’s not easy having a part-time job, taking a full-time class schedule, volunteering in the community, and presenting research at a conference, but that’s what some LEAP Ambassadors and LEAP friends this this past weekend. While there, the students made the most of things, exploring NOLA’s culinary arts, cultural offerings, art, and, of course, participating in the Popular Culture Association (South) annual conference. Below, we provide an overview of some of our favorite things about the trip.

Restaurants and Food

In terms of food, the clear winner was Saffron NOLA, which a “recommended restaurant by the Michelin Guide, and which is managed by Chef Vilkhu, who has twice been nominated for a James Beard Award.

In second place was Arnaud’s, a James Beard “Classic,” where the students tried an amazing assortment of food, including escargot, various types of oysters, and frog legs.

As Robin noted, it was difficult to select the “best” restaurant when all the restaurants were good. They emphasized that the other restaurants (Cafe Reconcile and Heard Dat) were all very good, but they didn’t quite rise, on this trip, to Arnaud’s or Saffron’s level.

Cultural/Historical Attractions

With an itinerary that included visiting the St. Louis Cathedral, Jackson Square, the French Market, the World War II Museum, the Garden District, the New Orleans Museum of Art, and the Louisiana State Capitol. Students enjoyed the latter very much, but it was under construction, preventing the students from visiting the “sky deck”–which may have cost it a spot on our “best of” list.

The favorite for most of the students was the massive World War II Museum, where the students spent three-plus hours–and still ran out of time! They spent most of their time in the Pacific Theatre, which they hadn’t learned as much about in school. But they enjoyed the entire museum, and they left with new information and greater appreciation for what college-age individuals were doing from 1941-1945.

One thing that stood out to the students was that they could alternate between the Museum’s massive scale and a small artifact that told a human story, allowing time for reflection and perspective.

The New Orleans Museum of Art was also a favorite, even without the Sculpture Garden (which we weren’t able to see). Students enjoyed seeing the decorative arts section, learning more about Degas (who lived in NOLA)…

…and seeing the blue-chip artists such as Monet, O’Keeffe, Pollock, Picasso, and Gilbert Stuart’s George Washington.

While these are pretty standard artists for large collections, the museum was sufficiently small to really engage with the art, and for some of the students, it was their first time to see such artists.

Perhaps the most interesting piece was Will Ryman’s replica in Gold of Abraham Lincoln’s Log Cabin.

It was made gold to reflect America’s quest for riches, while being literally constituted by many of the things that have formed America’s largest industries: spark plugs, railroad spikes, pharmaceuticals, iPhones, gasoline caps, and phone cords. On the ground–the foundation–were manacles and chains.

Conference

LEAP students’ favorite session at the PCAS/ACAS conference was “Reflecting Society,” which explored how films illuminate social issues. Daniel S. Traber examined Trainspotting, connecting its portrayal of drug addiction to broader dependencies, including gambling and consumerism. Kathleen Hardesty discussed negative depictions of social workers in children’s films, suggesting that more positive portrayals could reduce stigmas surrounding adoption and social services. Professor Mike Yawn concluded with an analysis of free will in The Manchurian Candidate, drawing parallels to the Oresteia trilogy and its tensions between family loyalty and moral responsibility. Together, the presentations offered students a thought-provoking conclusion to their conference experience.

Miscellaneous

Apart from the formal parts of the conference, the students greatly enjoyed beignets at “Cafe du Monde” and doing some French Quarter shopping, although the architecture of NOLA also stood out to the students.

But it was also just the diversity of the experiences that was impressive. The “Sno Bliz,” from a company founded in 1934, was amazing…

And we had a chance to see perhaps the world’s largest pot of paella, which looked delicious.

Yet we also had a chance to walk where Homer Plessy caught his train in 1896 in what proved to be a futile attempt to overturn segregation.

And learn about Huey Long, a populist whose corruption didn’t keep him from winning a majority of votes in every election in which he competed.

Conclusion

Most important, the students had a wonderful opportunity to expand their cultural horizons: they explored a new place (or for those returning, explored it with new eyes), tried new foods, enjoyed seeing different types of architecture, presented (or attended) at their first-ever professional academic conference, and visited new museums. It was a good time, punctuated by numerous opportunities to learn, appreciate the LEAP Center and SHSU, and enjoy the many amenities that unique cities across the United States have to offer.

LEAPing into New Orleans Culture and Cuisine: PCAS/ACAS Conference Day Two

Exploring the Southern Gothic

Written by Ruthie Passmore

We started off the second day strong by attending our first session, which was about Southern Gothic Transformations and Reimaginings; the conversation was led by Chair Stephanie Graves, who was accompanied by Rachel Pittman, Anne Bertram, and Jennie Lightweis-Goff. We got to hear about Appalachian Gothic Cinema, Southern Gothic within social media, a piece discussing the film adaptation of Midnight in the Garden of Good and Evil, and research discussing the differences between the three adaptations of Cape Fear.

First, Rachel Pittman presented her paper, “Deep in the Bone,” which explores Gothic themes in Appalachian literature and highlights the region’s historical economic lag. From her findings, I interpreted Appalachia in literature as fundamentally isolated and decaying, a key part of the Southern Gothic. I found it very interesting how literature seems to interact with the culture and folklore of a place with such a rich history.

Anne Bertram then discussed the impact of the Southern Gothic on popular culture. By sharing various TikTok videos, Bertram demonstrated how the genre is depicted online, highlighting artist Ethel Cain and the film Sinners as key reasons why it keeps growing. Additionally, she emphasized the irony that the vast majority of people interested in Southern Gothic online are young, teenage females from Russia, though the genre emphasizes its location in the South United States as a defining feature.

Moving forward, we heard from Jennie Lightweis-Goff, who covered John Berendt’s novel, Midnight in the Garden of Good and Evil. She noted that the story takes place in Savannah, Georgia, where the main character Jim Williams kills Danny Hansford. Since this novel is based on a true story, it led her to discuss modern true crime, claiming that much of today’s true crime coverage is fraudulent, and that true crime capitalizes on tragedy itself, turning real loss into a profitable trend.

Finally, Chair Stephanie Graves shed light on the three different adaptations of Cape Fear, first examining the 1962 version, moving on to 1991, and lastly the new series that came out in 2026. Across all three iterations, one thing remains constant: Max Cady remains the antagonist. She went on to explain that the differences among the three alter the central Gothic relationship. For instance, in the 1991 movie, Bowden represents Cady as his criminal defense attorney, unlike in the 1962 film, where he is not his attorney. This complicates the conflict in the story, giving Cady a motive for his crime, because in this adaptation, Bowden suppresses evidence that would have been able to lessen Cady’s sentence.

Though I was previously unfamiliar with these works, it was a wonderful opportunity to gain new insights, and I thoroughly enjoyed attending!

Sports & Video Games

Written by Robin Houghton

Isis and I decided to sit in on the panel discussing Games, Fans, and Fandoms for our conference session. Led by chair Vlada Botoric, all three panelists discussed the use of media, mostly video games, in fostering community and culture.

Vlada Botoric began with his presentation on LEGO fan cultures and the concept of peripheral fandom, a term he defined as a subordinated fan community experience, where members are deprived of access to their objects of fandom.
Botoric explained that although material conditions and accessibility of LEGO products affected creativity, across cultures such as Japan and Mexico, they still managed to create unique cultural expressions with LEGO products.

Next, Cheryl Briggs presented on digital communities, particularly through the VR exercise game Supernatural. Supernatural is unique from most exercise media as its VR platform allows the user’s body to produce the experience, rather than simply being a passive participant. The formatting creates a workout experience that turns exercise into play — but it was its multiplayer feature that turned Supernatural into a way to develop community. Briggs detailed how scheduling routines with people through Supernatural also turned the platform into a community of friends that also helped keep her and thousands of users motivated to continue exercising.

Finally, Dr. Tom Attah presented on how culture, particularly of the American South, can be depicted through video games. Using the game South of Midnight, Dr. Attah discussed how, compared to most media, video games turn a cultural witness into a performer of the culture, using the characters as functions to tell a story. Players gain agency when experiencing the cultures represented that could be otherwise inaccessible without the means to travel to those locations. Attah concluded that video games should be treated as a form of cultural expression similar to music or literature. With more and more people regularly playing video games, the cultural impact of the games people consume can no longer be ignored.

We found the session to be an enlightening discussion on the connection between community, video games, and fandom that left us more curious about the ways we connect with individuals and cultures through technology.

Lunch at Cafe Reconcile & Hansen’s Sno-Bliz

Written by Allie Plunk

Following the morning’s sessions, we had time for a little fun and food! We had initially planned to eat at Cafe Reconcile, a restaurant known for its community outreach and internship programs for disadvantaged youth. Facing an hour-long wait, we decided to eat dessert first, and headed to Hansen’s Sno-Bliz!

Hansen’s Sno-Bliz was unlike any snow cone shop we’d been to. The ice that made up the core of the “snow-bliz” was soft and fluffy, almost the texture of ice cream. The flavor choices were unique too, offering selections that ranged from cardamom and ginger cayenne to cream of chocolate and coffee.

We all tried different combinations of flavors, though our favorite was probably Stephanie’s ginger and cardamom snowbliz, topped with condensed milk. Some other delicious combinations were strawberry and chocolate cream, banana and chocolate cream, and cardamom and chocolate cream with ice cream.

After dessert, we headed back to Cafe Reconcile for lunch, where we enjoyed a variety of dishes! I had the Reconcile Cheeseburger, which featured a massive onion ring atop a classic cheeseburger. A few other favorites were the fried chicken, the red beans and rice, and the portobello po’boy.

Overall, it was a wonderful experience and a delicious lunch that allowed us to try new things, as well as twists on familiar favorites.

Experiencing Culture at the New Orleans Museum of Art

Written by Isis Hollis

Following our delicious lunch, we had the opportunity to visit the New Orleans Museum of Art. We were able to explore some of the major forms of art LEAP typically sees, such as impressionism, expressionism, and modernism, in addition to some of Louisiana’s characteristic folk art!

With three floors to explore, we started on the second with Professor Yawn as our guide. Something we don’t see often in the museums we visit is decorative art. Many people know this as Tiffany lamps or floral vases, but we were able to see this in various forms. The Eames chair, most popularly known for its modern look, is one of the many decorative art pieces we saw. One of my favorite decorative art pieces was a Tiffany vase adorned with intricate flowers. It caught my attention specifically for its variety of colors in the glass and its unique shape. Another notable piece was an intricate stair railing by Louis Sullivan, who’s credited with designing the first-ever skyscraper!

Another highlight from the second level was impressionist art. Many of us particularly like the impressionist style and the range of moods that it can encompass. My favorite piece, In the Garden, Giverny by Frederick C. Frieseke, is an American impressionist piece depicting a woman walking through a garden with flowers and a wall of greenery behind her. One of my favorite features was the cool-toned colors and pops of white throughout the painting.

On that same floor were pieces by Jackson Pollock, Picasso, and Monet.

What was perhaps our favorite exhibit was a life-sized cabin titled America, by Will Ryman. Created entirely out of symbols of American industrialization, such as iPhones, bullets, lightbulbs, and even chains, it proved to be an incredibly thought provoking piece that asked us to reflect on the impacts that rapid industrial growth have had on America.

After our guided exploration, we got to view the other parts of the museum on our own! Allie, Ruthie, and I looked at the Asian art, including Japanese, Indian, and Chinese pieces. Allie and I liked many of the Japanese pieces, specifically the Byobu art. Byobu pieces are traditional Japanese folding screens, often painted with intricate landscapes, portraits, or animals.

Overall, the museum strengthened connections between the artists we’ve seen before and gave us a better look into art throughout different times in different parts of the world.

Press Street Train Stop and Heard Dat Kitchen

Written by Allie Plunk

As a conclusion to our busy day, we ordered delicious meals from New Orleans hidden gem Heard Dat Kitchen! While our food was being prepared, we paid a visit to the Press Street Railroad Yards, the site of the train stop made famous withthe arrest of Homer Plessy. This culminated in the court case Plessy v. Ferguson, which established the “separate but equal” ruling that was later overturned by Brown v. Board of Education, 1954. There was a beautiful mural in honor of the amazing steps towards civil equality that have been made over the years, featuring figures like Ruby Bridges.

After our train “pit” stop, we headed over to Heard Dat Kitchen, eager to eat. Sitting outside at tables while we enjoyed our food provided a New Orleans atmosphere that paired well with our meals.

Some of our dinnertime favorites were the creamy Superdome, a blackened fish dish with mashed potatoes and lobster sauce, and the Heard Dat Pasta, a crawfish pasta topped with fried shrimp and green onions.

Following our deliciously seasoned meals, we enjoyed bread pudding, many of us trying it for the first time! The delicious, nutty dessert was well-liked by all the LEAP students and provided an excellent close to an excellent day.

Conclusion

Our second day in New Orleans gave us the opportunity to experience the city from several different perspectives. From exploring Southern Gothic literature and the cultural communities surrounding video games to enjoying New Orleans cuisine and examining art from around the world, we continued to discover how culture can be expressed through many different forms. Each experience gave us something new to consider and helped us better understand the history and creativity of the city around us. After such a busy and exciting day, we are all looking forward to seeing what our next day in NOLA brings!

Celebrating 20 Years of Art and Community at the Wynne Home

Written by Isis Hollis

Last Thursday, LEAP Students had the opportunity to celebrate the 20^th birthday of the Wynne Home Arts and Community Center! The event, which included food, a panel of amazing community members, and even a celebratory gift, gave many of us new insight into the rich history of the home.

The night started with something the people of Huntsville do best: mingling! We saw many familiar faces as the community turnout was indicative of the support for the home. Some of us had never been to the Wynne Home separate from events like Empty Bowls or the Easter Egg Hunt.

We showed each other our favorite art pieces, which include many famous works from artists such as Charles Pebworth, James Surls, and Jesus Moroles. I particularly enjoyed the James Surls piece in the dining room. Ruthie, however, preferred a different dining room piece: the Charles Pebworth!

After mingling and looking at the art, it was time for the panel! The panel included many significant figures of Huntsville. Nancy Gaertner, Mac Woodward, and Linda Pease were led in a conversation about the history of the home by Mike Yawn.

The conversation started off with Linda Pease sharing how the Wynne sisters (Ruth and Samuella) were raised in the home and, toward the end of their lives, began to consider ways to turn the home over to the community. This, as you might imagine, involved a long process of gaining funds and support to remodel the home into a community center.

Mac Woodward spoke on what it looks like on a city government level when accepting a donation such as the home and then turning it into a public space. Nancy Gaertner discussed her first meeting with Linda, the process of creating a “Cultural District’ in Huntsville, and some of her favorite events as President of the Friends of the Wynne.

Along the way, Yawn highlighted some of the community leaders in the audience, a list that included Jaspyr Sanford (a long-time Friends of the Wynne member), Una Grace Nash (the first President of Friends of the Wynne), Sean Lewis (Huntsville’s first Main Street Manager), Linda Wiley (David Adickes’ long-time partner), Mayor Russel Humphrey, City Manager Scott Swigert, many of the Friends of the Wynne, former President Jim Gaertner, Victoria Cardenas (current President of the Friends of the Wynne), Caroline Crimm (former SHSU professor), Derrick Birdsall (Director of the Sam Houston Memorial Museum), City Councilman Tore Fossum, Lee Ann Wiseman (Manager of the Gibbs-Powell House), and others. Many of these had a role in supporting the Wynne Home over the years, and their attention has paid off.

The panelists, when asked to share their favorite Wynne Home memory, couldn’t pick a specific one, but they all agreed that the kids of Huntsville are what makes all the work worth it. The Nutcracker, Easter Egg Hunt, and historical tours featuring reenactors were just some of the few that they agreed truly showed how impactful art can be for kids.

As the evening came to a close, there was much applause and many smiles, as the tone of the event moved from a nostalgic look at the past to a hopeful vision of the future.

City Staff, including Angela Robinson and Tracy Chappell, also said a few words thanking those who were there, and also noting that, in appreciation for her years as President of Friends of the Wynne, they had purchased a brick at the Sam Houston Statue in honor of Nancy Gaertner.

As the evening came to a close, it was clear that the Wynne Home is much more than a beautiful historic house or a place to display art. It is a space that has brought the Huntsville community together for twenty years and continues to create meaningful experiences for people of all ages. Hearing from the people who helped make the Wynne Home what it is today gave us a greater appreciation for the work, generosity, and community spirit behind it. We were grateful for the opportunity to celebrate this milestone and learn more about a place that has become such an important part of Huntsville’s history.

Many thanks to Angela Robinson and Tracey Chappel for inviting LEAP Ambassadors, to the panelists for agreeing to serve, and for all those who have supported the Wynne Home over the years.

From the Capitol to the Canvas: LEAP’s Austin Adventure Comes to a Close

Written by Brittlyn Jackson and Kayla Fleming

To wrap up an exciting and informative weekend in Austin at the Texas Tribune Festival, LEAP students visited the Blanton Museum of Art. Founded in 1936 and located on the edge of the University of Texas at Austin’s campus (with an astonishing view of the Texas State Capitol), Blanton houses more than 22,000 pieces from a variety of cultures, time periods, and artistic styles.

Professor Yawn pointed out many great artists throughout our visit, including one of his personal favorites, Jerry Bywaters. Bywaters was a Texas regionalist, and his piece, Oil Field Girls, gave us a view of the West Texas landscape and conditions during the 1940s.

We also learned about Thomas Moran and Albert Bierstadt, important artists associated with the Hudson River School who created paintings depicting the American West. Their paintings, The Golden Hour and Indian Canoe, allowed us to see how Americans viewed the West in the late 1800s. The warm tones of what appeared to be a setting sun, along with the beautiful landscapes, made these paintings visually striking and compelling.

We also encountered art pieces from the Spanish Americas, many of which had unknown artists. I noticed a lot of the Spanish art consisted of religious paintings and sculptures. We also came across another Texas native and Latino artist, Luis Jiménez, whose fiberglass sculpture, Border Crossing [Cruzando el Río Bravo], immediately caught my attention. The sculpture itself stands around 4ft tall and features bright neon colors. The sculpture, like most of Jiménez’s work, features bright colors he associates with Mexico, making it all the more captivating.

We then got to see examples of Pop Art, including Andy Warhol’s painting, Farrah Fawcett. We also viewed artists who specialized in cubism and abstraction. One of the most well-known artists we saw was Pablo Picasso, who had two paintings on display when we visited.

We also got to visit Ellsworth Kelly’s chapel, titled Austin, located outside the museum. The Chapel was solid white with geometric designs and colorful stained-glass windows that looked stunning in the light, a staple of Kelly’s work.

My favorite piece personally was Madam C. J. Walker by Sonya Clark, a portrait of Madam Walker made entirely out of hair combs. I really liked how the individual combs came together to create the portrait. I also enjoyed the creativity and symbolism behind using the combs, especially because Madam Walker rose to fame in African American hair care products.

After the museum, we had the chance to drive by the Elisabet Ney Museum on our way home. It was built in her former home and art studio in Hyde Park, standing out because of its limestone castle-like structure. We were especially interested due to our tour of the Capitol, where she has two prominent statues in the South Foyer. They are of Sam Houston and Stephen F. Austin, two prominent figures in Texas History.

The museum was a perfect way to end an exciting and educational trip. LEAP students learned a lot and enjoyed their time there tremendously. From exciting panels sparking new ideas to culinary adventures like Skipjack Oyster, it was a trip to remember. We are excited to take our lessons and newfound ideas back to Huntsville, where we can use them in our everyday lives.

Surveying the Policy Landscape: Day 2 of the TTF

After a thrilling first day at the Texas Tribune Festival, LEAP students were excited for more. Day two promised interesting panels, a trip to the LBJ Presidential Library, the Texas Capitol and a chance to broaden our culinary horizons.

A look into the Texas Republican Agenda

By Ruthie Passmore

To start the day, several of us went to see “The Texas Republican Agenda.” The panel consisted of Texas State Representatives Daniel Alders of House District 6, Jeff Leach of House District 67, and Mitch Little of House District 65, with Renzo Downey serving as the moderator. As a group, the representatives emphasized core Republican values while maintaining respectful dialogue with audience members holding differing views, of which there were many.

One key focus was on property taxes, and the possibility of a “tax-swap” was raised, with sales taxes replacing property taxes. While the concept was received positively in principle, it would require major restructuring.

Another fascinating question was what other ways Republicans are looking into helping with health care (and general life) affordability. Representative Alders noted his service on the Texas House Select Committee on Health Care Affordability, emphasizing the committee’s focus on developing policy solutions that offer more relief options for Texans.

Representative Little responded by stating that the less the government spends, the more money there remains for citizens.

Representative Leach particularly impressed me by handling questions with poise. When asked about committee chairs within the 2027 legislation, he replied by acknowledging his constituents. He expressed that voters are not asking about committee chairs; they are asking about property taxes, education, and affordability for all Texans.

At the end of the discussion, the audience had the chance to ask questions, and many expressed displeasure at the Republican agenda. The panelists were polite, but they remained firm in their priorities for the next session.

We were able to take a picture with all three panelists and have a meaningful exchange with Representative Alders. He stated that it has become harder for people of opposite parties to have productive conversations because of how polarized we are. (As a side note, the students who attended had different views on politics, and we managed to discuss the issues of the day without rancor.)

Along with other students, I enjoyed getting the opportunity to talk with Representative Alders. For some of us, this was our favorite panel of the day, and incredibly informative.

Both Sides of the Aisle

By Victoria Reich

LEAP students had the pleasure of attending ‘Legislature on Both Sides’ with Representative Ann Johnson of Houston, Representative Eddie Morales of Eagle Pass, Representative Shelby Slawson of Stephenville, and Representative Cody Vasut of Angleton, with Cassi Schredder moderating.

The panel started by briefly explaining how the legislative session runs and introducing the speakers. The representatives discussed how the dynamics might change should Democrats see a significant increase in numbers following the November election. Cassi Schredder brought up public-school funding and reform, a hot topic on both sides, as well as property taxes. It was nice to hear both parties discuss their differing plans while remaining respectful of the other side. I was surprised to see just how much the opposing sides agreed on key baseline issues. It was clear each representative wanted to do what they thought was best for their constituents.

Representative Johnson pointed out that having to spend money each session to make property taxes more affordable is not a sustainable solution and stated that a fundamental change in Texas is necessary. Representative Slawson conversely mentioned changing the appraisal cap when property taxes were brought up, explaining that this could help fix the concerns related to property taxes, affordability, and local governments’ budgets. Representative Vasut advocated for tighter restrictions on tax breaks for data centers, including making them ineligible for sales-tax exemptions or abatements.

After hearing questions from Schredder, the panel answered audience questions. Balancing thorough answers and strict time restraints was a challenge, but one the Representatives handled with ease.

The panel especially emphasized the importance of working across party lines. Members of the other party are not the enemy; ultimately, everyone is there to serve the people of Texas. I appreciated the panelists’ point that collaboration is essential not only for getting things done, but also for developing the strongest possible solutions for the state.

Three Perspectives on the Future of Higher Education in Texas

By Mike Yawn

At the Texas Tribune Festival, Texas Tribune reporter Sneha Dey moderated a discussion about the changing landscape of higher education in Texas. The panel featured Harrison Keller, president of the University of North Texas; Mike Flores, chancellor of the Alamo Colleges District; and Sondra Barringer, a professor of higher education at Southern Methodist University. Their comments offered three perspectives on what colleges and universities should accomplish—and how they should demonstrate their value.

Keller emphasized the connection between higher education and economic opportunity. He argued that universities had a responsibility to ensure that students developed skills that translated into good jobs and a positive economic return on their education. At UNT, he said, programs had been evaluated based on student demand, employer demand, institutional costs, and “time to value.” He also stressed that universities needed to work more closely with community colleges and employers as workforce needs and technology changed.

Flores focused on access, student success, and economic mobility. He described community colleges as essential partners in developing the workforce Texas needed and highlighted investments in academic advising, tutoring, basic-needs assistance, and career and technical education. He viewed Texas’ outcomes-based funding model as an important way to support institutions in helping students succeed.

Barringer offered a broader institutional perspective. She agreed that workforce preparation and student outcomes mattered, but emphasized that universities also contributed through research, public service, and solving problems in their communities. She raised concerns about the unintended consequences of funding formulas and political mandates, particularly for academic programs, research, faculty recruitment, and academic freedom.

Taken together, the panelists portrayed higher education as an institution facing competing demands, with some of the most challenging demands being political in origin: demonstrating economic value while maintaining its broader responsibilities to students, communities, research, and society.

Old School: Lamar Alexander

One of the more refreshing sessions was with Lamar Alexander, former Governor and Senator of Tennessee, and also former Secretary of Education. Now 86, Alexander is still sharp, and he discussed his career working with ten Presidents (!).

He said nice things about many of those presidents from both sides of the aisle, and he noted that you don’t have to be moderate to work with people with different belief systems. He worked with President Obama, while not agreeing with many items on his policy agenda. But, he noted, there are always things that overlap, and members of both parties should be willing to work on those things.

During Q&A, Alexander also indicated he would not vote for Ken Paxton, observed that Obama might have been the smartest President he worked with, suggested that President George W. Bush was the most “normal” President he worked with, and expressed his greatest satisfaction as having a long career in politics and leaving with his “integrity and family intact.”

From Teacher to President: The LBJ Library

By Ryan Snow

Following our exciting day of compelling panels, we had the oppurtunity of learning about President Lyndon B. Johnson (LBJ) at the LBJ Presidential Library. Our journey through the library started with LBJ: An Introduction: a 10-minute film about LBJ, including his life before his presidency, the start of it and how he shaped the world during it.

LBJ started in his early life as a teacher in Cotulla, Texas, a rural Hispanic town. This led LBJ to focus on feeding the poor and increasing access to education. Unfortunately, even after all the successes LBJ had in his presidency, such as his Great Society plan and civil rights improvements, he believed they would be overshadowed by the failures in Vietnam. Throughout the museum, LBJ was continuously expressing his guilt over the Vietnam War and conveying how he felt trapped.

The library had a multitude of interactive activities, including listening to a wax LBJ recite humorous stories…

…while also getting “The Johnson Treatment” from a life-sized poster of him.

LBJ, like many presidents before him, had secret recording devices in the White House phones allowing us to listen to conversations with senators, representatives, and other important figures. During his time in office there were over 640 hours of recorded conversations between him and others.

We also got to see unique artifacts of Texas history on display, such as the oldest known photograph at the Alamo and Sam Houston’s Inaugural Address as President on October 22, 1836.

The library also included an exhibit dedicated to JFK’s assassination and LBJ in office after such dramatic events. Although LBJ stepped up and enacted life-changing policies, he always expressed his sorrow for JFK. “I wish to God there was something that I could do, and I want to tell you that we were grieving with you.”

Lyndon B. Johnson was described as compassionate, relentless, persuasive, collaborative, and practical. Visiting his library has taught us how to never give up, and that no matter how much you do, there is still much to be done. LBJ served as an inspiration we can take with us into our personal and professional lives.

Texas Capitol Tour

Students recently had the opportunity to explore one of Texas’s most iconic landmarks during a tour of the Texas Capitol led by LEAP Center Professor Mike Yawn. The tour offered students a closer look at the building’s architecture, artwork, and fascinating stories from Texas history.

Professor Yawn highlighted the portraits of Texas governors, using them to share stories about some of the state’s most colorful political figures. Students learned about Pappy O’Daniel, Ma Richardson, John Connally, and, of course, Sam Houston.

The tour also featured several important works of art, including the dramatic painting depicting the Surrender of Santa Anna following the Battle of San Jacinto…

…and a portrait of legendary frontiersman Davy Crockett. Students viewed Elizabet Ney’s statues of Texas heroes Sam Houston and Stephen F. Austin, gaining a better appreciation for both the figures and the artist who portrayed them.

Even the Capitol’s smallest details provided opportunities for discovery. Professor Yawn pointed out hinges bearing the Texas seal and door knobs decorated with the famous Texas star.

Although the TX Senate was closed, we did have a chance to see the House of Representatives, which included a portrait of Sam Houston.

Students also learned about the Capitol’s massive expansion, which ultimately tripled the size of the original building, offering much more office space, albeit underground.

And with this exploration of the Capitol and its extension, we worked up a hunger, prompting us to turn toward Fresa’s to satisfy.

Dinner at Fresa’s Chicken Al Carbon

By Brittlyn Jackson

After the Capitol tour, we headed to Fresa’s Chicken Al Carbon to unwind and enjoy some delicious Mexican cuisine. With three locations throughout Austin, we visited the South First Street location, where we enjoyed our meal in Fresa’s outdoor dining area.

We kicked off our dining experience with four appetizers: the Mexican Street Corn, Totally Loaded Queso, Classic Guacamole, and Guacamole Especial. Both guacamole dishes were delightfully fresh and creamy, served with chips that were a perfect combination of salt and crisp. The Loaded Queso had a light kick and was filled with black beans, guacamole, chorizo, pico de gallo, salsa bruja, and, of course queso. My personal favorite appetizer was the Mexican Street Corn, which was tangy and topped with plenty of fresh lime juice.

After sharing the appetizers, we moved on to our main course, which offered a diverse range of dishes. There was Ahi Tuna Tostada, a colorful dish featuring raw tuna, cucumber pico, cabbage, avocado, chipotle mayo, pickled shallot, and chile crisp. Many of us got the more popular option, the El Rey tacos. They featured slow-cooked beef brisket, cabbage, pickled jalapenos, chipotle mayo, cilantro, and fire-roasted red salsa, served on flour tortillas.

Fresca’s options did not stop there, featuring bols, wraps, and more. The Primo Bol was a wonderful, savory choice. It had agave-lime chicken, sweet potato, black lentils, lacinato kale, avocado, pickled apple, and a tart lemon vinaigrette. The apples added a fresh flavor to the dish, and the sweet potatoes created a nice contrast between the sweet and sour flavors, providing a perfect blend.

We ended our evening with a light debate on some of the panels we attended, and the issues discussed by the speakers throughout the day. The Texas Tribune Festival provoked insightful conversations and furthered our political understanding. LEAP students had a wonderful time and are ready for more!

The Best of Salt Lake City: A LEAP Perspective

By Mike Yawn

The LEAP Center follows a rigorous process in planning trips, ensuring maximum learning, fun, and reward. The trips are scheduled such that the conferences take priority, while supplementary activities enhance learning, knowledge of others’ cultures, and the expansion of professional networks–with fun sprinkled in.

When things go well, the students take ownership of this process, and this was one of the many happy outcomes of this trip. After a year-long moratorium on LEAP travel, the students prepared well for the trip (taking a photography course and watching a documentary on one of the conference’s keynote speakers), maintained a good attitude despite long days and little sleep, and stayed up-to-date with the blogs and photo editing.

In light of the above and with a little reflection, they offered their favorites of the trip:

Conference Sessions:

This had the least consensus, probably because there was much to like and the students attended different sessions.

Probably the favorite was the “policy tour,” in which the students had a chance to deep-dive into a policy area–including a tour–led by experts. For Isis, Allie, and Jacob, this was the crisis center, in which the students learned of techniques to allow social workers to take over many of the processes involving low-level criminal conduct by people struggling with mental illness. For Robin and Olivia, the tour explored water issues in the West and one of the things Utah is doing to combat shortages, while also involving a wetlands tour on an airboat.

The students also enjoyed “Getting the Right Response,” which also involved crisis response by mental health and law-enforcement personnel. They also enjoyed meeting the keynote speakers, particularly Elizabeth Smart and Evy Poumpouras.

Restaurants:

Central by Saffron Valley was on all five students’ “best-of” lists, and it was the top choice for four of the students.

The food was, in every way, excellent, and amid all the appetizers and entrees, there was not a bad (or even so-so) choice.

Caputo’s was a strong second. appearing on four of the students’ choices. Their sandwiches were impressive–all tasty–and their shop selection was excellent. We wish we could have stayed longer and tried their food classes. Rounding out the top three was Plates and Palates, which had great service and sandwiches in Bountiful, UT.

Coffee:

For coffee, “Ten” ranked first. We had two visits there, and both times, the staff were pleasant, responsive, and helpful, and their coffee was excellent. Also top-notch was the Honeysuckle Coffee Co, which has great service, coffee, and pastries. King’s Peak was perhaps a distant third, while still recommendable. Their coffee is good, while their pastries and service are not up to “Ten’s” standards. On a trip of this nature, coffee shops are much sampled, and we went to the above shops on two occasions. In addition, we went to “The People’s Coffee,” which was adequate, and we also visited “Roots” and “Publik”, although we declined to try their coffee when the baristas indicated that it wasn’t fresh–and didn’t offer to make a fresh cup.

Non-Conference Activities

Beyond the conference, there was even less consensus on the most rewarding activities. Some thought Park City was the most interesting…

…the Capitol Tour had a lot of support, with a majority of the students believing that Utah’s Capitol was, overall, more polished, cohesive, and interesting than the Texas Capitol.

The students also enjoyed the trip through the Big Cottonwood Canyon Scenic Byway, where the temperatures were twenty-five degrees cooler than Salt Lake City, the scenery was beautiful, and there was an adventure around every corner.

Advisor’s Wrapup

This was the first trip where the students managed to organize their time and energy in such a way as to finish their blogs on time, edit all their photos, and post on social media daily. Olivia McCaughan did a great job facilitating the many tasks that go into making the trip work; Allie did a great job editing the blogs; Jacob and Allie took the lead on editing photos, but everyone edited some photos; and Robin and Isis proved versatile, editing photos, writing blogs, compiling lists, asking questions.

The result was a broad-based learning trip, with leadership lessons built in. The students explored other cities’ downtowns, city halls, and libraries; met numerous legislators and policy experts, promoting their leadership and potentially helping to prepare them for the Austin Internship Program; toured two Museums and one educational center; heard the Tabernacle Choir, one of the ten best choirs in the world; sat in on numerous policy sessions; took thousands of photos; saw numerous animal species for the first time; and managed to complete a 2.5 mile round-trip hike–with a 1,000 foot elevation gain–all in six days!

The students’ teamwork was impressive and effective, with student leadership helping to maintain morale, ensure logistical efficiency, and meet all deadlines, which, in turn, helped make this an excellent trip!

Quantum Computing, the Great Salt Lake, and Innovation in Criminal Justice: Another Day at the CSG West

Written By: Isis Hollis, Robin Houghton, Allie Plunk, and Jacob Wessels

LEAP Ambassadors had a wonderful second day at the Council of State Governments Western Legislative Conference! We enjoyed learning about Quantum Computing, the West’s take on the upcoming Olympics, Policy tours, and a visit to the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-Day Saints’ Salt Lake City Temple Visitors Center.

Quantum Computing

Though a daunting subject, we attended a conference session on the implications and impacts of Quantum Computing, hosted by Senator Catherine Blakespear (CA) and Representative Justin Wilmeth (AZ).

With a series of presentations by Rohan Basu Roy, Professor at the University of Utah; Pratik Soni, Professor at the University of Utah; Chris Spitzer, of Lawrence Berkeley Laboratory; and Ben Eikey, of the Levin Center, we were amazed to learn about the quickly approaching 2030 deadline for the official implementation of Quantum.

This astounding software will significantly cut down the production time for molecule simulators used in drug manufacturing, risk analysis for things like finance, and even enhanced AI. However, as Professor Soni stated, Quantum also comes with significant risk to national security and could potentially widen the employment gap. In order to resolve this conflict, speakers suggested training programs for teachers and students as young as elementary school to introduce Quantum so that we can raise a generation of young people properly equipped to handle the technology.

The tone of the session was one of preparation: Quantum is coming to the West, and it’s up to the legislators to build a safety net to keep things from going downhill. Quantum Computing is a somewhat new concept to the Ambassadors, though one that got us thinking about our own futures and how Quantum might affect our careers in law.

The Power of Sports

Following our crash course in Quantum, we were off to lunch! Before the keynote speech began, Chair Senator Todd Weiler (UT) presented the Bettye Fahrenkamp Award to Senator Ron Winters (UT) for his outstanding leadership.

After the awards, we learned about the value of sports from Kelsey Berg, who is currently leading government relations for the Utah 2034 Organizing Committee for the Olympic and Paralympic Winter Games…

…and Chris Mazdzer, Olympian and Paralympic activist, and moderator Senator Todd Wieler (UT).

Following the incredible success of the 2002 Winter Olympics hosted in Utah– one of the only Olympic games in which the host country made a profit– the state is thrilled to host the 2034 Winter Games.

However, the benefits of Olympic sports are not only financial. The speakers testified to the incredible cultural unification that happens when people from across the globe unite in the name of sports, citing the overwhelmingly positive reaction from visitors to the World Cup.

Even as someone who has never been particularly athletic, I found this connection inspiring, and I look forward to being a part of the host country for another worldwide sporting event.

Huntsman Crisis Center

The LEAP Ambassadors had the opportunity to attend post-lunch policy tours to witness the effects of legislation in action.

Isis, Allie, and Jacob attended a tour of the Huntsman Mental Health Institute and Crisis Center of Utah. The institute is leading the way for many significant improvements in behavioral health by focusing on creating a welcoming environment for its patients through a variety of methods, including referring to those whom they treat not as patients, but as guests. The architecture of the building helps achieve this as well by being intentional with every aspect, all the way down to the lighting, which is timed to the body’s circadian rhythm!

Representative Steve Eliason and Operations Manager Kevin Curtis shared how they have made an impact through collaborating with local police departments and hospitals to keep those facing mental challenges out of prisons and instead getting the care they need. Their work has helped many people with rehabilitation after facing a crisis while creating a more accepting community for those who may have mental problems. The session informed us on the resources available for nearly every demographic to seek care, along with ways legislators can help push for destigmatizing mental health treatment.

The tour created a lot to think about for the Ambassadors, but it brought along with it a newfound interest in psychology and the treatment of the mentally ill.

The Great Salt Lake

Robin, Olivia, and Professor Yawn chose to attend the policy tour on Water and the Future of the West. On the bus ride there, we learned about water usage in Utah. Utah Water Ways, led by Executive Director Tage Flint, is behind a campaign called “Slow the Flow.”

Their organization is unique: it is set up as a non-profit, but it is funded in part by the Utah Legislature and in part by community/corporate partners, with a goal of reducing per capita water consumption by almost a third in the next twenty-five years.

Part of this goal is to save the Great Salt Lake.

The Lake has been subsiding in the past several decades, a particularly trouble phenomenon because it offers a unique ecosystem, providing a home for hundreds of thousands of migratory birds.

As the tour began, we boarded an airboat, and, accompanied by Nevada Legislator Natha Anderson and our guide, Carter…

…we spent a wonderful couple of hours exploring the Utah wetlands, seeing birds, insects, and other wildlife critical to the wetland ecosystem.

Seeing the wetlands in person reminded all of us of the importance of water conservation, especially in Utah, the second-driest state in the country.

The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints’ Salt Lake City Temple

Following the Policy tours, LEAP ambassadors headed out to explore the historic Temple Square for a tour of the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-Day Saints’ Salt Lake City Temple Visitors Center. Though not allowed in the Temple itself without a Temple Recommend from the LDS Church, we were soon immersed in the history, culture, and beliefs of the Church.

Our first stop was to take a picture with Thorvaldsen’s Christus, an 11-foot-tall statue of Jesus Christ that has a unique connection to Huntsville. Home to a full-scale bronze replica of the same statue (which can be found in historic Oakwood Cemetery), Huntsville possesses the only full-sized replica of Christus in the state of Texas.

We then were led through five rooms of a replica temple: the foyer, the baptistry, the celestial room, the instruction room, and the sealing room, each of which are copies of real temple rooms.

The most interesting room to me was the baptistry, which features a large bath resting on the backs of twelve life-sized oxen that symbolize the Twelve Tribes of Israel. The baptistry is also located on the temple’s lowest level to represent the symbolic burial and resurrection associated with baptism. Members of the Church perform baptisms there on behalf of their deceased ancestors who did not have an opportunity to convert, though their ancestors still must choose to accept the baptism.

After the tour, we were taken to the Tabernacle to listen to the Grammy, Emmy, Peabody, and Mother Teresa award-winning Tabernacle Choir perform.

Many of the ambassadors were deeply moved by the experience, and we all understood why it is considered one of the ten greatest choirs in the world.

Overall, we enjoyed our visit to The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-Day Saints. The experience gave us a greater appreciation for the culture, history, and beliefs of many of the people who call Salt Lake City home.

Central by Saffron Valley

Hungry after our longest conference day, we stopped in to Central by Saffron Valley for a meal that would have made the James Beard Foundation proud. Actually, it must have made the Foundation proud, because the chef, Lavanya Mahate, was nominated for a James Beard award in 2024.

The restaurant is an homage to the “golden age of India’s train travel,” and it is themed accordingly. The tables are labeled by platform, there is a “railroad crossing” sign in a corner, there is a faux train compartment wallpaper in parts of the restaurant, and some of the dishes are served in the tins used on Indian train travel.

The theme is appropriate, in that the meals come from different regions of India: curries from across the country; chicken tikka dosa from “southbound parts”; and a dessert menu featuring “sweet departures.”

We opted to eat family style, with some naan, chicken tikka kebabs, samosas, fish and chips (a nod to India’s one-time status as a British colony, and a sop to Olivia), Nawabi lamb biryani; the ever-reliable Old Delhi Butter Chicken (from the ever predictable Jacob Wessels); and for dessert, chai creme brulee, gulab juman cheesecake, and Indian ice cream.

Everything we had was at least good, and several of the dishes being excellent: the chicken tikka and butter chicken standing out as exceptionally tender; the samosas as a spice-filled specialty; the ice cream as tasty and inventive.

Owner Mahate told the Deseret News that she wanted to make “Indian food more accessible,” and she seems to be doing just that, providing excellent food to the Salt Lake City community. The entire meal was delicious, and it was an enjoyable evening with friends while extending the LEAP Center’s ethnic-themed meals during this trip– a nod to Salt Lake City’s history of attracting immigrants who contribute in many ways, not the least of which is adding to the culinary culture of the community.

Conclusion

Each session and policy tour demonstrated that effective leadership requires curiosity, collaboration, and a willingness to understand perspectives different from our own. As we look ahead to our final day at the conference, we are grateful for the opportunity to learn from legislators, policy experts, and community leaders from across the West.

Exploring Salt Lake City: From Books to Byways

Written By: Robin Houghton, Olivia McCaughan, Allie Plunk, and Jacob Wessels

On our second day in Salt Lake City, LEAP Ambassadors enjoyed a fun-filled day of learning and exploration, from seeing sights from the Salt Lake City Library, to visiting Park City, to taking a scenic tour of Utah’s more natural features.

SLC Library

LEAP Ambassadors started the day by exploring the Salt Lake City Library. Designed by world-renowned architect Moshe Safdie (who also designed Crystal Bridges Art Museum), the library is as much a work of art as a center for community.

The building is uniquely shaped into a triangle with a curved base. This specific shape was chosen to let in the most light through the predominantly glass structure, helping naturally keep the library cool in the summer and warm in the winter according to the differing curves of the sun’s path. Mirroring this curve is an outer wall, inlaid with spaces that businesses can rent out, and a curved amphitheater within the courtyard.

My favorite floor was probably the first floor. Walking into the library, we were greeted by a piece called Psyche, created by Ralph Helmick and Stu Schecter. It is made up entirely of small hanging books and butterflies, strung in the shape of a head, a play on the Greek word for both mind and butterfly.

Elsewhere in the Library, I was fascinated by the massive volume of CDs, especially those of local artists featured in the audio section, a good example of the library exposing people to new cultural horizons while also supporting the local community. Speaking of which, there was also a place to buy stickers designed by local artists and a seed check-out kiosk where locals could take seeds to plant in their home garden. The concept is that, after the harvest, “borrowers” would return some seeds from the plants they grew. I also admired (and was jealous of!) the incredible resources the creative lounge had to offer, including leathercraft, sewing machines, audio recording, and even a soldering station!

The roof, featuring 360-degree views of Salt Lake City, was a close second place in my ranking. We were able to see both the mountains and the top of city hall from the same spot.

As we left, we were all able to come to the same conclusion: the Salt Lake City Library has all the functions of a proper community center, with something for everyone to enjoy.

Caputo’s Market & Deli

Following our library adventure, we stopped for lunch at Caputo’s Market & Deli for authentic Italian cuisine and specialty foods. Founded in 1997 by Tony Caputo, the deli has become a local institution by bringing high-quality imported European products and traditional Italian flavors to Utah.

We were able to enjoy a variety of dishes. The Caputo, Roasted Reds, Mortadella Mami, and Hot Pastrami each highlighted the quality ingredients and classic combinations that have been staples of Italian delis for generations.

Many of us couldn’t resist browsing Caputo’s famous chocolate selection. We shared and sampled an assortment of chocolates, including one decorated with edible flowers that was as beautiful as it was delicious. We also enjoyed several unique flavors, including Vietnamese Coffee, Orange with Sea Salt, Cardamom, and Chili Chocolate. Personally, my favorite was the Vietnamese Coffee. It captured the bold flavor of coffee without overpowering the chocolate.

By preserving the culinary traditions of Europe while also introducing them to new audiences, Caputo’s has become an important part of Salt Lake City’s diverse food culture. The experience reminded us that food has the power to connect people with history, culture, and one another.

Park City

Our next stop was Park City, Utah‘s Main Street, an idyllic strip of shops, restaurants and cafes. It was discovered in 1868 when soldiers stationed in Salt Lake City traveled from Big Cottonwood Canyon to find silver. After silver mining slowed and miners began to move on to other lands in search of more minerals, the town became a leading state in winter sports, which led to the creation of Park City’s Historic Main Street. The street is now home to over 200 unique businesses, including 50 one-of-a-kind restaurants.

As the Huntsville Main Street Coordinator, it was very interesting to see how Park City’s Main Street compared to our own. During my walk through town, many things caught my eye: the vibrant landscapes, the numerous souvenir shops, and the distinctive Main Street Trolley. Combining all of these elements created the perfect environment for a wonderful day of shopping and visiting with friends and family.

After visiting this thriving Main Street, I have been inspired to bring many of these aspects back to Huntsville. This Main Street is definitely one for others to look to for guidance on their next project for bringing the community together.

Scenic Byway

After exploring Park City’s Main Street, we spent the afternoon taking a scenic drive through the Wasatch Mountains. In contrast to the previous night’s rigorous hike, this drive was much less exerting, allowing us to take plenty of photos of the beautiful flora and fauna of Utah.

We began near the top of the Wasatch Mountains, where the cooler weather allowed us to see a vibrant array of wildflowers, which complemented the surrounding mountains. We stopped to take in the quaking aspens (which we were surprised to learn all share the same root system), and to enjoy even more beautiful views!

Further down the mountain, in Big Cottonwood Canyon, we saw Silver Lake, which features a short trail ideal for spotting a diverse array of animals. Almost immediately, we spotted a few squirrels and chipmunks around the visitor center, making them perfect practice for photos. 

Things got more exciting as we walked down the boardwalk, almost immediately spotting an osprey diving for prey on the lake. We also observed some less predatory birds, such as sparrows and ducks. We even got to see a beaver swimming around the lake!

As we moved onto the surrounding trail, we spotted a few robins in the underbrush. About halfway around the lake, we saw a grazing deer and managed to snag a tricky photo of a dragonfly. The greatest sight, however, was near the end of the trail, where we managed to catch glimpses of a moose!

After taking a multitude of photos- and filling up a camera memory card- we made our way back to the hotel, happy with the day’s pursuits.

Pretty Bird Chicken

Once we were back, we ordered dinner from Pretty Bird, the self-professed best chicken place in Salt Lake City! Owner Viet Pham is a world-renowned chef, who retired from fine dining to set up Pretty Bird and explore his version of the Nashville spicy fried chicken. We enjoyed the flavors and spices of the chicken, but the fries and the street corn weren’t our favorite dishes. Still, it was an interesting addition to our Salt Lake City culinary experience.

Conclusion

Our second day in Salt Lake City was well-spent, filled with learning, exploring, and some lessons to take with us, back to Huntsville, our home towns, and in life. As the day concluded, most of us agreed that Salt Lake City, Utah was one of our new favorite places!

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