During our retreat in Houston, LEAP students and alums visited the Alley Theatre once again to watch a performance of The Girl on the Train! Based on the bestselling novel by Paula Hawkins and the Dreamworks film adaptation, the play proved to be another memorable addition to LEAP’s theatrical experiences.
The Girl on the Train follows Rachel Watson (Elizabeth Bunch), an alcoholic whose life has begun to unravel following her divorce. One morning, Rachel receives a visit from Detective Gaskill (David Rainey), who informs her that a woman named Megan Hipwell (Emily Neves) has gone missing. Rachel immediately becomes invested in finding her. Although she has never met Megan, Rachel used to see her and her husband from the train each morning and imagine that they lived a perfect, happy life. With Megan now missing, that illusion is shattered, and Rachel becomes determined to uncover what really happened. The list of suspects is long: from a therapist, Dr. Kamal Abdic (Christopher Salazar), to Rachel’s ex-husband Tom Watson (Chris Hutchison) and his new wife, Anna (Michelle Elaine), to Megan’s husband, Scott (Dylan Godwin–an SHSU Alum), to even Rachel herself.
The story takes us through an exciting series of twists and turns, leaving many of us surprised when the mystery finally came to a close. Kayla and Tania were particularly surprised by the ending, while others, like Britlynn, managed to figure out the twist early. Afterward, we had a great discussion about our reactions to the play, and many of us agreed that it had earned a place among our favorite Alley Theatre productions.
The British accents of the characters also caught some of us off guard, especially those who had previously watched Misery at the Alley. Elizabeth Bunch and Chris Hutchison, who played Annie Wilkes and Paul Sheldon in that production, returned as Rachel and Tom. Many of us find the husband-and-wife duo particularly fascinating to watch because they seem to have a knack for playing characters who either despise each other or are completely obsessed with one another—and sometimes both! Their dynamic creates an interesting on-stage chemistry that made their performances especially memorable.
My favorite aspect of the play was the set. I really enjoyed the way that the stage had been designed to move; parts of the stage raising and lowering to reveal or conceal furniture that changed the scenery. They also utilized a catwalk-like structure above the stage to demonstrate the terrace of Megan’s home, which allowed Rachel’s memories to be displayed over the action of scene below. One of Olivia’s favorite parts was how they portrayed the moving train, through lights and set. Towards the end of the play, the technical team even utilized projection to create train tracks that ran across the stage.
Overall, the combination of story, acting, and creative set design made The Girl on the Train a great watch. We are all looking forward to our next opportunity to experience another Alley Theatre production together!
Many thanks to alums who joined us: Ademide Adedokun, Justin and Chelsea Beiser, and Quinn Kobrin–and to Ademide’s friend, Andrea Alexander.
Although the most wonderful time of the year is still six months away, CASA of Walker County brought plenty of holiday spirit to the Lowman Student Center Orange Ballroom during its annual Christmas in July fundraiser.
Organized by Laura Green, the fundraiser united hundreds of community members to support CASA’s mission of providing every child with a safe, permanent, and nurturing home.
CASA volunteers took great strides toward this mission this year, travelling more than 44,000 miles and contributing over 3,200 hours–all in the service of children!
This year’s “Christmas in July” event offered similar support. Terrence Bell–SHSU Alum, local Pastor, and Huntsville High teacher–called 15 rounds of Bingo; Victoria White (Assistant Dean of Students) announced raffle winners; and auctioneer Kevin McMillan led an exciting auction intermission. In all, the event raised some $160,000 for CASA (CASA will release its official and final results later this week), providing needed support for its volunteers and staff.
After placing our tickets for the raffle and grabbing delicious Hawaiian inspired food sponsored by Dealer Solutions Automotive, Jolie Godfrey Mortgage Team, Dr. Victoria Hsiao, and Dr. Glenda Read, it was time for the game to begin! Greg Smith, Director of Sam Houston Memorial Funeral Home and this year’s presenting sponsor, opened the evening with a prayer.
Although LEAP students had much of the ups and downs of the other participants, we were ultimately shut out of this year’s winnings, much to the dismay of some competitive members.
The Woodwards won twice and Stephanie won one of the raffles!
It was also fun to see the many winners throughout the evening, which offers a good reflection of the fun that was had by all.
While bingo provided plenty of excitement, the children’s art auctions were the highlight of the evening. Before each piece was auctioned, volunteers walked around the room, holding the artwork high while a video highlighted aspects of the art (which was often very touching) and the child who created it, and then the bidding began.
It was truly remarkable to see the members of our community getting into bidding wars to support CASA and the children they represent.
Mayor Russell Humphrey was, as always, impactful, spending thousands to buy three pieces, giving two back to the children that made them. Tim Rushing was also a strong supporter of CASA, purchasing multiple art pieces and donating tens of thousands of dollars. The auction did not just touch hearts though; it broke records, raising more than $50,000 in total.
Particularly moving was the presence of some of the adoptive parents on hand, couples who were in the process of adopting CASA children.
Seeing them interact with their children’s CASA advocates and the bidders on their children’s works of art was a highlight of the evening.
Just before the last rounds of bingo, Elliott Herzlich on behalf of Elliott’s Jewelers gave out Hawaiian flower Christmas Ornaments so that everyone could go home with a prize, whether they were lucky enough to win something or or not.
Any time you have good people coming together for a good cause, we see familiar faces. Marshall Altom and his wife, the Woodards, President White and Elliot Herzlich, Jason Brandolini and his wife, Victoria White and Jalon Berry, Lois Stehlik, our old friend Macey Schank (who still volunteers for CASA, despite graduating), and the Slaters.
This added to the already festive aspect of the evening, sending us all home with Christmas spirit–and the children of the region in better hands, the hands of loving families, the committed CASA advocates, and caring community members.
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!
On the first day of our LEAP Retreat, LEAP students travelled to the Alley Theatre for a performance of Stephen King’s Misery. To make this event even more memorable, we were joined by several alumni which gave us a group of 19 people!
The story follows author Paul Sheldon (Chris Hutchinson), who has finally written what he thinks will be his masterpiece when he gets into a car accident that shatters his legs. He is rescued by his self-professed “number one fan,” a woman by the name of Annie Wilkes (Elizabeth Bunch). At first, she acts normal enough, but things very quickly take a turn for the worst. Married in real life, the actors gave a wonderful performance, leaving us wondering how they manage to create such believable characters while still going home together each night. Having just seen the movie a few weeks before, it was very interesting to see the difference in the details and presentation of the story as it was adapted for the stage.
One of the most striking elements of the play was the set. Split into three distinct parts, the set rotated on a turntable to create a seamless transition between the room where Paul is held captive, the rest of the house, and outside. We were all astonished by the level of detail that went into the set, from the numerous images of Paul Sheldon, to the inclusion of a working staircase. Another practical piece of the performance that we enjoyed were the special effects. We had a good time figuring out how they incorporated stage blood and prosthetics to enhance the gorier elements of the story.
Having finally finished the Misery trifecta– the novel, movie, and play– I found the differences between the three mediums incredibly striking. The novel contained much more prosaic passages, as well as backstory and lengthened character development, especially for Annie Wilkes, than either the movie or play. The movie, however, shifted and condensed elements of the novel, such as the addiction that Paul develops to the pain medication Annie provides him and his reliance on imagination to endure his captivity, while adding in the perspective of the town Sheriff that is investigating his disappearance. The play retains many of these elements, several lines of dialogue taken directly from the movie, though Annie’s characterization relies on much more of the actor’s discretion, removing much of her backstory entirely. Despite these differences, each preserves the core of the story: the dangerous, disruptive nature of obsession.
Overall, Misery proved to be a fascinating example of how a story can evolve across different mediums while retaining its central themes. Both entertaining and thought-provoking, it was a memorable highlight of our retreat and gave us a deeper appreciation for the art of adaptation.
It was a busy time. Sandwiched between finals and SHSU move-out day, we took a quick trip to Austin to attend a conference and visit the capitol building, where some of us would like to intern in the spring of 2027. We made the most of it.
While Jacob and Zackery had visited the capitol building, it was Kayla’s first time. But for all of us, we had a chance to learn more, armed with information from Professor Yawn’s oft-given tours.
We learned that all the hinges on doors in the TX capitol have the State Seal on them, and that they are eight-by-eight, weighing around seven pounds…
…and that even the door knobs are photogenic.
We stopped by the Treasurer’s Office, which has been restored to its early 1900s look, and has many artifacts in the space.
We also went to the Rotunda, where one individual was enthusiastically exercising his free speech rights (which endured our entire tour of almost two hours)…
The Rotunda also displays 47 of Texas’s 48 Governors, with only Abbott missing. (Governor Abbott will not have his portrait done until he leaves office.) We picked out some of the more notable ones, including Governor Bush, who of course, went on to be President…
…and, of course, we found Sam Houston’s portrait.
With each new governor, every portrait has to be moved over one spot, all the way up the rotunda…
We also learned more about Elizabet Ney and her sculptures, while also exploring the House and Senate, giving us a chance to see some of the more picturesque scenes from the statehouse and giving us a chance to practice some photography.
We also explored the ground floor, where we saw the Medal of Honor display which seemed sort of lonely…
…the extension…
…where we saw the capitol dome through a skylight, and a bust of SHSU alum Gib Lewis, former Speaker of the TX House.
It was an educational morning, with lessons on the legislature and the capitol’s many connections to SHSU and Sam Houston the man.
Skipjack Oyster
Nestled in downtown Austin is Skipjack Oyster, about which our advisor spoke highly. Striking a balance between high-end and casual and relaxed coastal-inspired decor with lively energy, it was an escape from the busy pace of the capitol.
For appetizers, we tried some Oysters, including samples from six different locations across the United States and Canada, ranging from salty and briny to sweet to acidic, giving us a sense of how much variation can occur from the same food item!
We also tried the Salmon dip, which is smoked and adorned with chives and boursin, a creamy French cheese flavored with herbs. This made the perfect dip for chips that were delicious–indeed, we ran out of chips before we ran out of dip!
For the main entrees, Jacob and Zackery–who share a brain, apparently–ordered the Redfish, which offered a nice mixture of mild seafood flavor, supplemented by a tangy green tomato relish.
Kayla enjoyed the Seafood Tagliatelle, which featured clams, shrimp, mussels, herbs, white wine, and tomatoes. The sauce was perfect, well-seasoned, and complemented the different types of seafood.
This was, in turn, complemented by the Lobster Mac and Cheese, which was both large and scrumptious, offering a grated cheese and healthy portions of lobster.
Of course, we capped off the dinner with dessert, consisting of a banana cream pie and bread pudding, with the former winning votes as favorite.
In just a few hours, we were able to enjoy key elements of Austin: the capitol, its politics, policy, and tourism scenes, and the food, which is always a delight and sometimes the highlight!
LEAP students took a Wednesday night trip to Cinemark in the Woodlands for the 35th anniversary screening of The Silence of the Lambs! Arriving around thirty minutes early, we had more than enough time to load up on popcorn, candy, and sodas before heading into the theater.
Once we were seated, the film began with an opening from legendary film critic and historian, Leonard Maltin, who explained some of the historical and cultural significance of the film, including its status as one of three films to win the “Big Five” Academy Awards: Best Picture, Best Director, Best Actor, Best Actress, and Best Adapted Screenplay. Based on Thomas Harris’ 1988 novel of the same name, The Silence of the Lambs is a staple in American film that inspired an infatuation with the character of a dignified serial cannibal named Hannibal Lector, resulting in numerous spinoff series and prequel films.
The film follows young FBI trainee Clarisse Starling (Jodie Foster) as she interviews Hannibal Lector (Anthony Hopkins) with the hopes that he might provide insight into the mind of a serial killer. On the rise is a man by the name of Buffalo Bill (Ted Levine), who skins his victims after he kidnaps and kills them, mysteriously keeping them alive for three days. Starling has the sinking feeling that Hannibal Lector knows more about the killings than he is letting on, and must navigate his psychological manipulations and lies to get to the truth.
Though a clear psychological thriller/horror, we were all able to find humor in some of our favorite parts, especially in Hannibal’s witty dialogue. Several of us had never seen the film before, though it is one of my favorite movies of all time! On the way home, we all agreed that it was an evening well spent.
The LEAP Center follows many artists, but one in particular that every Ambassador admires not only for his work but also because of his local connections is David Adickes. Sadly, he passed away on July 13th, 2025, but his work is still cherished across Texas and the United States.
Fortunately, admirers have a chance to see many of his works across diverse media and eras at the Sam Houston Memorial Museum’s Walker Education Center through May 31.
The show was introduced by Tod Lawlis, Curator of Exhibits, who started his job shortly before the exhibit began!
He and Adickes’ long-time partner, Linda Wiley, did a wonderful job providing an overview of the show, and describing why this exhibit is both special and appropriate for Adickes and his legacy.
The exhibit showcases approximately 40 of his works, including sculptures, maquettes, studies, enhanced giclee prints, and original pieces of art. The exhibit title, however, derives from a song Adickes wrote, “Remembering You,” before he enlisted in the Army.
The works ranged from the 1950s through the 2020s, surely making Adickes one of the longest-working Texas artists in history.
We all had a chance to look at the pieces, select our favorites…
…review them some more, and revise our favorites list!
One of the joys of the event was speaking with many of our fellow attendees. We met descendants of Sam Houston, caught up with old favorites such as the Peases, Woodwards, Lee Jamison, and, of course, had a chance to meet or catch up with Linda Wiley.
Linda spoke lovingly of David, his career, and his vast legacy in the arts world, while also emphasizing that this was a celebration of David’s life and work.
She also took great care to include pieces in the show at difference prices, allowing many people the opportunity to purchase their own David Adickes, a strategy that proved helpful to some of the recent graduates in attendance!
It was a great showing, one befitting an artist who did much for the art world and the arts community.
And it was a particularly nice time for us–for many of us, our first art exhibit–learning more about the work of Adickes, Linda’s involvement in his life and work, and the community to which he contributed much.
The only work in the exhibit not by Adickes. This quilt, by Mary Laura Gibbs, was crafted from David Adickes’ tie collection.
It is a LEAP Center tradition to assist the Wynne Home Arts and Visitor Center with their Empty Bowls fundraiser each year–and it is a tradition that dates back to 2008, when a LEAP intern initiated the project. This year, some 250 people stopped by the Wynne Home for a community lunch while raising approximately $7,000 for Meals on Wheels.
For our part, almost 20 LEAP students–under the direction of Wynne Home Program Coordinator Angela Robinson–volunteered to help ensure a positive guest experience.
This involved greeting guests as they arrived, inviting them to select a unique ceramic bowl, accepting payment, and directing them to the various food stations, which featured culinary options by HEB, Sam’s Table, Meals on Wheels, Five Loaves Deli, Huntsville High School Culinary Team, and City Hall Cafe.
It’s a great way for the community to come together in support of the arts while also fighting food insecurity. This year’s event brought together a record number of participants, and the guests seemed to linger longer, enjoying one another’s company, getting their first tour of the Wynne Home, or otherwise just enjoying the event.
For most people, Empty Bowls is a single-day event, but it actually is planned almost year-round. In the fall of each year, Angela Robinson begins scheduling bowl-making classes, which are open to the public. Residents can register for a class, learning from one of the talented instructors, which this year featured Dakota Dube, Leara Phillips, Kathy Crowell, Molly Campbell, and Lauren Clay, (and Canvas and Cork generously provided additional bowls).
After making the bowl, they return to glaze it, and then they have the option of purchasing their bowl or donating it. If donated, it becomes part of the bowls selected by “walk-up” customers on the day of Empty Bowls–and it was quite a selection this year!
The event is one of LEAP’s favorites, and our involvement is multi-faceted. We signed up to make bowls, glaze bowls, and we also volunteer monthly at the Senior Center. This year, many of us made bowls in our own registered class with Lauren Clay, and then made bowls again at the Senior Center, with the congregants. To cap things off, we volunteer at the Wynne Home on the day of Empty Bowls.
That longitudinal process allows us to see the volunteerism at multiple time points, and see the project through to its completion–from the creation of the bowls, to the glazing of the bowls, to the event itself, to the donation to Meals on Wheels–where the money is used to provide meals to seniors in the community. And it was inspiring to see so many people come together, from artists and students to local leaders and supporters, all working toward the same goal of helping others.
For those interested in more opportunities related to the Arts and/or the Wynne Home, see the Spring Classes:
