Starting off day one of our TEXOMA tour, LEAP members Saara Maknojia, Erin Juarez, Yvette Mendoza, and I began our way towards Oklahoma City. We first made an exciting and knowledge-filled stop at the Amon Carter Museum of American Art. The museum is located in downtown Fort Worth and fits in well with the surrounding architecture and the aesthetic of the city.
The most captivating piece upon entering the museum was a massive James Surls piece titled Seven-by-Seven.
This was, for all of us, the first time to see a Surls’ piece (outside of SHSU) in person, and it was jaw-dropping! One of the things that made this so exciting is that we had a chance to meet Surls, and he was very gracious, signing some photos of his work we had produced.
Continuing through the foyer was a Daniel Chester French sculpture titled Benediction. This work of art was one of my favorites throughout the museum. French’s work often included winged women; however, he is most popular for the sculpture of Abraham Lincoln at the Lincoln Memorial in Washington D.C.
The Amon Carter Museum is also home to one of the largest collections of Frederic Remington artworks.
Remington’s western-themed work often depicts a cowboy in action, or wildlife commonly found in the west. When walking through his exhibit you are captivated by the western scenes coming to life at different times of the day.
The featured collection was “Imagined Realism: Scott and Stuart Gentling.” Yvette found her favorite piece in this collection by Scott Gentling titled Viola, Cello since she herself plays the cello. Accordingly, she was able to make a personal connection with the musical form. The collection spanned many different topics from instruments, portraits, and landscapes.
Commissioned for the Amon Carter Museum is the Plexus No. 34 by Gabriel Dawe; this suspended piece created out of thread gives viewers different perspectives from every angle. This quickly became Erin’s favorite piece, as she spent several minutes photographing different angles to see the different colors you see as you move around it.
We were also introduced to Thomas Moran, a landscape artist. Most well-known for his work featuring the national parks, Moran’s pieces seem to transport the viewer into the scenic landscape. We saw pieces he’s painted of Yellowstone and the Grand Canyon that were brought to life. Saara found Green River Cliffs to be her favorite because of the incorporation of nature in the art. We enjoyed his work and other works by landscape artists.
My other favorite exhibit in the museum was the Anila Quayyum Agha: A Beautiful Despair.
This exhibit was made from a mix of media, light, and shadows. Also beautiful was Agha’s Liminal Space.
We also saw another successful and renowned female artist, Georgia O’Keeffe, and found her to be easily identifiable with her floral and abstract art.
Interestingly, we saw a work by John Rogers, which is notable because one of our first events as LEAP Ambassadors was to see an exhibit on John Rogers at the Sam Houston Memorial Museum.
Another of our early events involved seeing a Picasso-Calder exhibit at the Museum of Fine Arts Houston, so it was particularly nice we got to see a Calder sculpture at Amon Carter.
And, rounding out our knowledge, we were able to see several paintings by Grant Wood and other Regionalist painters.
As the first stop on our trip, we found it to be intriguing as we all got to see new artists and expand our mental collection of art. We are ready to see what Oklahoma has waiting for us on this exciting trip!
Velvet Taco
November 11, 2021, Yvette Mendoza
As the LEAP Ambassadors finished viewing the beautiful artwork at the Amon Carter Museum, we were ready to eat! Before we left Fort Worth to continue our road trip to Oklahoma the only thing on our mind was tacos. Trying out Velvet Taco in downtown Fort Worth was the perfect spot!
The tacos were all unique in their own way, from an assortment of different meats and tortillas garnished with sauce, it made the perfect tacos. Our orders consisted of Chicken tacos that came in three different forms the buffalo chicken, rotisserie chicken, and even a chicken and waffle. We also had a taste of Tennessee with the Nashville hot tofu and the grilled salmon fish taco.
To top everything off, each taco had its own topping that truly complimented it. For our chicken tacos we had either house buffalo sauce, roasted corn pico, queso, napa slaw, or citrus lime crema.
We were left satisfied, and ready to head North to continue our trip!
Although the LEAP Ambassadors have attended many events sponsored by the World Affairs Council, this was our first event at the Glade Gallery, an art gallery in The Woodlands.
Gregory Gause, a professor at the Bush School at Texas A&M University, spoke to the attendees about the tragic events of 9/11, the relationships and origins that preceded the attack, and how those relationships have evolved since the attack.
After we reconnected and caught up with the wonderful WAC Staff, we began to make our way around the Glade Gallery. Never missing an opportunity to fine new favorite pieces, we began maneuvering around the gallery taking notice of all the contemporary art.
Sandija Bayot, the WAC’s Chief Development Officer, informed the crowd about several upcoming events and then surprised everyone with a pop quiz!
Sandija then asked five questions about upcoming events and handed out books as prizes to those that got the answers correct. Heather Noman correctly answered the capital of Yemen, and Morgan named the fourth Ambassador joining WAC for a luncheon the next day. Congratulations LEAP Ambassadors!
Ray Cunningham, WAC’s Executive in Residence in The Woodlands…
introduced the guest speaker of the night, Dr. Gregory Gause.
Dr. Gause is the Department Head and Professor of International Affairs at the Bush School in College Station. Professor Gause described some of the threads that converged in 2001 to lead to the 9-11 attacks, including the US supporting the anti-Soviet forces in the Middle East–some of whom evolved in to more overtly terrorist organizations.
Following quick success in retaliating against the 9-11 attacks, groups such as ISIS emerged as more powerful, and Iran has gained visibility and influence in the region. As ISIS gained power and Iran showed little inclination in curbing such power, the early US success in Iraq and Afghanistan eroded, culminating in President Biden’s decision to withdraw last year. Gause notes that there is little to no support to go back in. People’s experiences influence their willingness to support policies, and military action is no exception.
Near the end of the lecture, Dr. Gause answered a couple of questions from the crowd.
The questions were excellent, with several posted by local professors and other knowledgeable attendees. Gause focused on each question….
…and responded at length. Inevitably, questions turned to Russia and Ukraine, a direction that really brought home the relevance of our policies in response to aggression. While there was some agreement that China may be a longer-term threat than Russia, there was also acknowledgement that much suffering was likely to result from this invasion and, anytime you are dealing with a country that has control of nuclear weapons, even larger conflagrations are of great concern.
Following the event, we spent time with staff along with a couple of professors from the Bush School, who proved very interesting.
We also posed for a group photo with students from some high schools and the always-friendly, always-professional staff of the WAC.
And, of course, we took a minute to pose for a group photo in the midst of the beautiful gallery.
Following the event, we headed to Genghis Grill (the only nonbar, it seems, that stays open past 9pm in The Woodlands) and had an enjoyable dinner, while also reflecting on the discussion, and contemplating the implications of Russia’s invasion of the Ukraine.
Seeking another historic home on day four, the LEAP Ambassadors ventured to Andrew Jackson’s Hermitage. This visit gave us a vivid perspective of the 1800’s lifestyle through his marvelous home and informative museum alongside it. In addition to having a tour of the Hermitage we walked through his personal idyllic garden and the cemetery where Andrew Jackson and his family currently rest.
Former president Andrew Jackson was known as “the People’s President,” because he was the first “frontier” President, and he broadened the voting process, resulting in many changes in society.
Walking through the Museum we saw his accomplishments as an attorney, soldier, and president of the United States. Viewing artifacts, Jackson effectively led the battle of the Creek War in 1801 as Colonel of Tennessee and the battle of New Orleans in 1812. After courageously serving in these wars fighting the British and the Indians, Jackson was elected president, and he is now known as the founder of the Democratic party.
As for Jackson’s day-to-day life he lived with his wife Rachel Jackson and adopted children in a Greek-styled home where he allowed any guest comfort in his home with food and a place to stay.
Jackson was known to receive many visitors, including Sam Houston and former presidents, at his 1,120 acres of land at the Hermitage. Having guests stay made it a hectic household from managing the farm, servants, and attending to important guests.
Each LEAP Ambassador had their own favorite part of the Hermitage Jessica being the massive newspapers in Jackson’s library. Morgan enjoyed the kitchen outside since it was like Sam Houston’s kitchen in Huntsville, Texas. Whereas mine was farther away from the home being the garden. As we all entered the garden I fell in love with the bumblebees flying around the brightly colored flowers that all led up to the tombstones.
The garden and grave site rounded off a nice sentimental testament to our 7th president.
Lunch
Yvette Mendoza
Diving into our first meal in Nashville at the Flat Iron southern fare restaurant ended up being a perfect choice. With the menu full of variety we started off with American classics by ordering whipped goat cheese filled with grilled cucumbers, onion, and tomatoes served with fresh warm pita. For our meals Morgan and Jessica got burgers, one being a tuna-patty burger and the other a grilled chicken burger. As for me, I got a waffle grilled cheese with a complimentary tomato bisque dipper. Each meal was delectable, and everyone had a delicious side of french fries. Our first taste of Nashville made us eager to try more.
Parthenon Tour
Morgan Robertson
After seeing General Jackson’s home, we ventured into a City formerly known as “the Athens of the United States”–Nashville, where the great Parthenon in Athens, Greece is replicated. Initially, the project was supposed to be a temporary attraction like everything else commissioned for Tennessee’s 1897 Centennial Explosion. However, people were so impressed with its beauty and the cross-cultural connection, the Parthenon was preserved, becoming the focal point in what is now Centennial Park.
While the Nashville Parthenon is a well depicted replica of the authentic one in Athens, there are some major differences. The first difference being the materials in which the structure was constructed. The Parthenon in Greece is made of white marble, which would have been easily accessible at the time. However, in Nashville, Tennessee, there are no quarries of white marble. Using what was at hand, Architect William Crawford Smith designed the structure with wood, brick and stone, giving the Parthenon a yellowish-brown color.
Another interesting feature that I was not expecting was the art museum on the lower floor of the Parthenon. In one of the rooms was an exhibit for artist Lynn Goldsmith whose interesting photography art is printed on metal, with each photo containing up to fifty exposures.
The second space was James M. Cowan’s personal collection of American art, including pieces from Durham, Moran, and Bierstadt, serving as a nice contrast to the first collection.
Keeping with the Greek style and culture, a 42-foot-tall statue of the Goddess Athena resides in the central room of the Parthenon. Standing tall as the Goddess of Wisdom, Athena holds the god Nike in her right hand with a shield and a snake to her left. When entering the central room of the Parthenon, the goddess is visible between the massive Doric columns, with her gold dress and accessories appearing as though they are glowing.
Surprisingly, we found the Parthenon to be a popular picture spot for tourists and natives. There were two Quinceañera parties, a baseball team, and even a wedding set up for pictures. We of course joined the trend and posed for several pictures inside and outside of the Parthenon before heading back to await for what would come next.
Opening Night at the Country Music Hall of Fame and Museum
Jessica Cuevas
It is the opening night of the Southern Legislative Conference in Nashville, Tennessee. The LEAP Ambassadors were curious to know what to expect at the Country Music Hall of Fame and Museum as they walked to join the line for the trolley across the street. We congregated with the other attendees and waited for our turn to board the trolley. We met two friendly lobbyists from New York, Jonathan and Monisha, and a policy analyst from Ohio who each talked to us about what they do, how they got to their positions, and future advice for young professionals. Our conversations carried on into the short trolley ride on our way to the Country Music Hall of Fame and Museum. It was refreshing to meet people so passionate about their work, and who are living what we are actively learning.
Once we arrived we were given the option to go up to the sixth floor for food or start off at the museum on the third floor. We listened to our stomachs, which drove us to the sixth floor to be greeted by live music and lots of people.
The LEAP Ambassadors were able to meet and converse with a Tennessee Senator before making our way to the colorful assortment of a Charcuterie board with different cheese, bread, cold meats, and vegetables.
There was a beautiful view of downtown Nashville…
…and a live band playing covers of artists such as Willie Nelson, The Beatles, The Nitty Gritty Dirt Band.
On the balcony, where families were playing Jenga, Corn Hole, and enjoying the nice weather, the view of the Nashville skyline was amazing.
After dinner, we toured the museum, where there were artifacts such as their costumes and suits….
…cars, guitars, fiddles, drafts of written songs, even a whole wall dedicated to the golden records of many of the singers .
Many of these artifacts were associated with famous acts such as Johnny Cash, Elvis Presley, Dolly Parton (whose statue we saw the night before), and Willie Nelson.
Our night ended with a trolley ride back to the hotel taking in the view of the city after dark. The trolley ride should have been a 4-minute drive back to the hotel, the half mile drive seemed to take twice that time if not longer due to traffic and nightlife. The glowing city was buzzing and alive, as we were full and amazed by the opening night of the conference.
It may be summer, but that doesn’t mean we aren’t learning, and for the next two weeks, we plan to learn a lot, while also having some fun. This opportunity comes from the LEAP Center and the Southern Legislative Conference, with the latter hosting their annual conference in July in Nashville, TN. We are expanding that a bit by also visiting Asheville, North Carolina and, Atlanta, GA.
First Flight, Jessica Cuevas
It was early in the morning and the sun had not risen yet, but the LEAP students were all on their way to their closest airport, each departing from their hometown, (Houston, San Antonio, and Dallas) to catch their early flight and embark on their new journey that would begin in Atlanta, Georgia.
Having never stepped foot into an airport or airplane, I was feeling a bit nervous and overwhelmed. Thankfully, there were signs all over the airport directing me, and I also had my Morgan (flying out of DFW) and Yvette (flying out of San Antonio) as resources, and, of course, I could ask airport staff.
I made it through the luggage check, then to security, all the while experiencing a bit of anxiety and feeling a little overwhelmed. Fortunately, I was not selected for additional screening by TSA, and I made my way for some coffee. After purchasing a tall drink at the price of a grande (airports mark up prices, I learned), I settled in to wait on my flight.
As I went through the process of boarding the plane, bit became surreal, and I thought, “I really am doing this all on my own and for the first time.” I listened more intently to the safety protocols and paid attention to the plane (a Boeing B737-900), and sat in wonder during takeoff, the flight, and the landing.
It would be two hours before I stepped foot on the ground
Georgia’s State Capitol, Yvette Mendoza
Although it wasn’t my first time in Atlanta, it was my first time to really put my feet on the ground and explore, and the first place in this exploration was Atlanta’s Capitol grounds.
Part of our education as LEAP Ambassadors includes the basics of architecture, and the Capitol building was a great school room in that sense. The capitol dome is covered in 24K gold leaf, symbolizing the fact that Georgia was the site of the country’s first gold rush–in 1828 in Dahlonega. Apart from this piece of “bling,” the capitol was nicely configured in traditional Greek and Roman architectural features–pediments above entrances, grand columns (corinthian, mostly), and arched windows.
Continuing our walk into the capitol we first caught our eye on the circular, golden plate Great Seal of Georgia that displays three pillars stating their motto “Wisdom, Justice, and Moderation” and the year of the Declaration of Independence, 1776. Then, walking up the staircase we finally entered one of the grand wings of the capitol.
Seeing the overly-sized painted portraits of former Governors dating back to the 1800s was astonishing. Not only did we admire the portraits, but we took a closer look at the numerous chandelier dispersed throughout the interior, which, built in the 1890s, were designed to be used by gas or electric methods.
As is true in most capitols, the rotunda was both literally and figuratively the center of the building. This rotunda was a bit more subdued, but nice nonetheless.
In addition, we were able to stand on the glass flooring, which allows light to spread to multiple floors.
Surrounding us in the rotunda are the portraits of the founding fathers that were placed there because Georgia was a part of the 13 colonies. Walking around seeing more portraits we learned that Jimmy Carter was not only a president but a former Governor of Georgia. Alongside the portraits are offices for the Governor, secretary of state, House of Representatives, and many more.
We enjoyed the large spaces in the capitol, as well as the details amidst the largeness. The doors, for example, have the state seal intricately carved into the knob, and the seats in the House and the Senate include original desks provided to the members.
On the top floor, the Capitol have displays capturing the history of Georgia, as well as facts about the state.
Everyone knows, for example, that the official state fruit is the peach, but did you know its official bird is the brown thrasher?
Wrapping up our tour, we came across a photo opportunity: a podium with the state seal.
For a moment, we had a chance to be Governor and host our own press conferences. It was a fitting end to a fun and educational tour.
High Museum of Art, Yvette Mendoza
As we transitioned from politics and architecture to art, a heavy rainfall began, but it was unable to wash away the LEAP Ambassadors’ excitement to the works on display at the High Museum of Art. At the entrance, we were hit by an optical illusion created by Roy Lichtenstein, called House III. Painted in primary colors and in a triangular shape, the perspective changes as you move alongside it, from convex to concave and back again. This was a great introduction to the fun and engaging art in the building–and the building, by the way, was its own piece of art, designed by Richard Meier.
As a further introduction to the High, we were greeted by a lady wearing a dress clearly inspired by Piet Mondrian, with its grid and primary-color design. All of this, intriguingly, was before we got inside!
Inside, we saw work by Ellsworth Kelly and other major artists, but we beelined it to the Picasso-Calder exhibit. While their art is not typically seen as similar, their grandsons created this exhibit, which emphasized similarities in the artists’ approaches, subjects, and output. The exhibit featured dozens of pieces, including pieces large and small by both artists.
We took turns posing in front of our favorites. Morgan’s, for example, was “The Acrobat,” by Picasso…
…mine was “La Grande Vitesse” by Calder…
…and Jessica’s was the simple “The Bull,” by Picasso.
We didn’t have time to explore all the floors, but we got our fill of Picasso and Calder!
And we did see their American collection, which included many of the “decorative arts,” including works by Frank Lloyd Wright, Charles and Ray Eames, and Isamu Noguchi.
We also saw paintings by John Singer Sargent, Childe Hassam, and Georgia O’Keeffe. Among the modern artists, we were particularly struck by Anish Kapoor’s untitled piece, which had interesting aural and visual effects. This was the most popular piece in the museum.
Our last stop in the museum was the gift shop, where we continued to learn about great artists such as Frida Kahlo and Grant Wood. We bought magnets, flower vases, and postcards to help us remember the beautiful High Museum of Art!
Atlanta Botanical Garden, Morgan Robertson
The SHSU Leap Ambassadors started the afternoon off with a caffeine jumpstart from Caribou Coffee. The coffee house on Peachtree St. offered a wide variety of drinks including drip coffee, cold brew, mochas, lattes, teas, and for non caffeinated options, smoothies, shakes, and pastries. The coffee house served as a good break before heading to the Atlanta Botanical Garden.
The 30-acre garden strategically lays out pathways leading you past countless landscape features and works of art (this would be a good introduction to landscaping architecture, which will learn more about at the Biltmore Estate, landscaped by Frederick Law Olmsted). Upon entering the garden, the bright gradient canopy created by Shearn looks as though it is suspended by nothing as it guides your walk on the Kendeda Canopy walk.
The hand-tied streamer-like pieces (more than 79,000 of them) flow with the wind while simultaneously curving with the treeline and the path of the 40 foot tall walkway.
The art and architecture work together in order to create vivid movement through the garden.
One of the major and most memorable works of art employs the use of 18,000 different kinds of flowers to create the Earth Goddess.
Lounging with complete serenity, the Earth Goddess extends a hand pouring water into the pond.
Taking advantage of the scenery, LEAP Ambassadors posed for a picture, some poses emulating the Goddess herself.
The garden is also home to a large collection of Dale Chihuly glass and painted pieces in the botanical garden.
After learning and hearing about his works on past trips, this was our first time seeing a Chihuly in person and our expectations were exceeded. The glass blown into shapes of flowers and different spirals and sprigs creates a mass of individual pieces working together, which fit perfectly within the garden itself.
The botanical garden mission is “to develop and maintain plant collections for the purposes of display, education, conservation, research and enjoyment.” This mission statement is employed in every aspect of the garden, especially through the most obvious way: the plants. From edible gardens, to neon flowers, and trees that make you want to guess their age, the botanical garden is a place to get lost in wonderment and adoration of something that has been around since the beginning of time.
My personal favorite collection of flowers stems from the orchid conservation lab and greenhouse.
This fragile, common house flower dominates in the climate-controlled greenhouse (72 degrees during the day, 52 degrees at night). Orchids growing in every imaginable way from wall hangings, to in the ground the collection brings a new appreciation to the flower.
Keeping with the colorful flower trend, Yvette’s favorite plant was the hydrangeas.
Commenting on how the color did not even look real, Yvette was able to snap some pictures of the beautiful flowers.
The tropical greenhouse gave an impressive depiction of a rainforest complete with the sounds of frogs and birds. Jessica admired the edible garden in which visitors are able to smell herbs such as rosemary, mint, oregano, basil, and marigolds, but have to imagine what the sweet snap peas or the juicy tomatoes would taste like.
We also had an opportunity to see 16 separate installations by Jason Gamrath, a glassmaker from Seattle–he studied art at Dale Chihuly’s school.
His pieces were large, and they complemented both Shearn’s work and the garden itself.
Between Shearn, Gamrath, and Chihuly, we were in good company throughout our walk.
The floral and green experience creates a longing to step back into nature. And even for some LEAP Ambassadors a desire to develop a green thumb.
Jackson Street Bridge, Morgan Robertson
A little while after sunset, the LEAP Ambassadors walked across the Jackson St. bridge for a picturesque view. Most known for its appearance in the tv show The Walking Dead, The Jackson St. bridge plays a distinct role in the post-apocalyptic show. As a single sheriff trots, he passes by hundreds of abandoned cars toward downtown Atlanta on a horse. The shot is taken from Jackson St. Bridge.
The bridge allows for an excellent shot of the skyline of downtown Atlanta, and a nice teaching experience for photography. Experimenting with different shutter speeds, angles and other functions, we were able to capture several images of the skyline.
Other sightseers had the same ideas about the bridge as we did. Upon walking up to the bridge there were several groups snapping always on cameras, phones, and even drones.
Culinary Adventures, Jessica Cuevas
Although we rest our legs while taking a break for meals, we don’t stop exploring. Thus for lunch, we were treated to Mediterranean Food at a small local restaurant La Shish Kabab in Atlanta, Georgia. Having only eaten this cuisine twice previously (both times with LEAP), I tried the Chicken Shwarma, a simple chicken dish with rice served with pita.
Yvette got the Gyro meat platter, which had beef and lamb….
… and Morgan ordered the Beef Kafta.
Many of the flavors are not in our day-to-day diet, so it was an enjoyable experience comparing each other’s choices. It was a nice meal to tide us over for the next couple of hours.
It was past 10:00 PM and we were arriving dangerously close to not finding any open restaurant that we could dine in, with most kitchens being closed for the night early. Thankfully, we eventually found The Corner Tavern. We made our way to the restaurant where we were greeted with rain (in the parking lot) and a friendly staff (in the restaurant). To start, we ordered chips, queso, garden salsa, and fried artichoke hearts. For our entrees, Yvette ordered a burger with French fries…
…Morgan had the tavern club sandwich with Pimento mac and cheese, and I had the buffalo chicken burger with tater tots. This last meal wasn’t particularly adventurous, but by the time we were able to find an open restaurant, we were pleased just to have food before bed.
And thus with full stomachs, following a full day, we began to burn the midnight oil blogging about our day of adventure…
Inauguration Day: The Peaceful Transfer of Power (Kiara Williams)
This inauguration day involved a figurative transfer of power inasmuch as President Trump was not on hand to officially “hand over” the reigns of power. Nonetheless, Joe Biden assumed the Presidency at noon on January 20th, giving an inaugural speech calling on the nation to unify. Biden emphasized the difficulties in our history, particularly regarding equity, but equally emphasized the barriers that have been broken.
As he touched on these topics, President Biden also referred to Vice President, Kamala Harris, highlighting the advances made by women, and to Martin Luther King to highlight progress made in racial equality.
In doing so he indicated how things can change, how the nation has progressed, and how the Vice President of the United States- the first black, South Asian, and female VP in American history- is a living testament to that progression. This momentous event, regardless which side of the aisle one claims, is a statement to women and people of color everywhere that there is power in our voices and we are capable of exceeding our ancestors’ wildest dreams.
In the President’s speech he addresses the societal issues that recently arose: such as the pandemic and its effects on the American people as well…
…as the economy; the attack on the Capitol 14 days prior, and the racial tensions that have plagued this country from its inception. As he addressed these problems, he promised to work to resolve these concerns and advance the nation in his tenure. Biden’s speech continuously emphasized unity and progression of the nation, and with his Vice President, he intends to repair the country for all Americans.
Unfortunately, we weren’t able to be there in person, but we made the most of it by watching it in a collective group.
It just wasn’t quite the same as the last time we were there!
Melrose Plantation—Ilexus Williams
After nine days on the road, the LEAP students have come to our final destination: The Melrose Plantation. The Melrose Plantation is located in Natchitoches Parish in north central Louisiana, which is the largest parish in Louisiana. The Melrose Plantation history began in 1742 when Marie Thérèse Coincoin was born a slave into the plantation of Louis Juchereau De St. Denis, who is the founder of the city of Natchitoches. When Marie was approximately 26 years old, St. Denise leased Marie to a French merchant by the name of Claude Thomas Pierre Metoyer. Marie and Pierre Metoyer formed a relationship, which resulted in 10 children. Marie never returned to St. Denise. Instead, Pierre Metoyer purchased Marie and their children and granted them their freedom.
After gaining her freedom, Marie began harvesting tobacco, bear grease, and raising cattle. With the help of land grants and the purchasing of slaves, Marie and her sons became known as the most prominent free people of color plantation and slave owners. In 1796, Marie’s son, Louis Metoyer was granted 911 acres of land, with this Melrose Plantation was born.
However, the Metoyer family had financial debts that resulted in losing the prized Melrose Plantation in 1847.
The most notable time period of Melrose Plantation was under the ownership of John Hampton Henry and Cammie Garret Henry. More specifically, Cammie Garret Henry took the Melrose Plantation to new heights by making renovations to buildings on their property and allowing artist and writers to live on her property for free as long as they did their work.
The first structure that we visited on the plantation was the Yucca House, which is a large white home with teal-colored doors and walls made from bousillage, which is a mixture of mud, Spanish moss, and horsehair.
The Yucca House was used as residency for artists and writers while they worked on their books and paintings. The first most significant resident in the Yucca Home was Lyle Saxton, who wrote the book Children of Strangers, which is a novel centered on the lives of the Cain River People of color, Creoles. Additionally, Francis Mignon was a Frenchman, who is well known for his book Plantation Memo: Plantation Life in Louisiana. More importantly, he is the best friend of Clementine Hunter. Clementine Hunter was a self-taught folk artist, whose art depicted life on the plantation.
She created her first piece in 1939 on a lamp shade. Her long-time friend, Francis Mignon, encouraged her to continue painting, which she did until her death in 1988. Because of her persistence in her craft, Clementine Hunter became one of the most two-or-three noteworthy folk artists of the 20th century.
Clementine Hunter’s work is displayed in the most remarkable structure on the plantation, the African House.
This hut-like building is the only one of its kind in the United States. The building is made of African bricks and cypress beams, and its main use was to store tobacco and other lucrative crops. Now the building is home to beautiful murals by Clementine Hunter. The murals cover the walls of the African Houses second story. Although we were not permitted to take photos, we did find some online.
These murals show images of cotton picking, which was an activity that Hunter loved. Also, we recognized that religion was a consistent theme in Clementine Hunter’s work. Through her art, Hunter portrayed church revivals; with people catching the holy spirit, plantation baptisms, and funerals, which showed the importance of religion to the African American community.
Interestingly, Clementine Hunter’s art mostly used women as the subjects in her art because she was not very fond of men. Women were often depicted as hardworking in the field, while the men were depicted enjoying idle tasks such as fishing or drinking.
Next, we viewed the Big House where we saw the living quarters of Cammie Henry and her family. The building also included a library with writings from many of the authors who complete residencies at the Melrose Plantation. Also, the Big House dedicated a room to Clementine Hunter’s art and her Honorary PhD from Northwestern State University.
Lastly, to conclude our tour, we visited Clementine Hunter’s home, where she produced most of her work from 1954-1977. On the front porch, was a sign that read “50 Cents to Look,” which Hunter used to entice people to view and purchase her art.
Hunter never became wealthy from her work, and she never quiet understood the impact of her art. However, she is considered “the most celebrated of all Southern contemporary painters.”
Clementine Hunter’s continuous dedication to her craft is inspiring and is an attribute that LEAP students can use a model and inspiration in their future occupations.
Despite all of the challenges of COVID-19, the Center for Law, Engagement, and Politics continues to provide engaging and interesting learning opportunities for students. Most recently, students were able to watch a Facebook live interview with President Dwight D. Eisenhower’s granddaughter, Susan Eisenhower, where she discussed her grandfather’s leadership in World War II and as president. Author of the biography How Ike Led, she had much to share about his life and overall legacy.
The interview began with a look at President Eisenhower’s role in D-Day,
liberating Europe from Nazi rule, and his handling of the discovery of concentration camps. It was explained that Eisenhower opted for a broad, slow advance to defeat the Nazi empire, rather than a fast and hasty one. He wanted to bring an end to the regime, and prevent it from rising to power again, and for his approach he was criticized by some who wanted a quicker–but riskier–approach.
In spite of his critics, this slow advance would be an important factor that led to the discovery of concentration camps. When he learned of the atrocities, he took it upon himself to examine every corner of the camps to understand what had happened and how it had come to pass.
She told us that he then issued orders for as many people as possible to document and bear witness to the camps. He brought in journalists, elected officials, and everyone fighting on the front lines.
He then had townspeople from surrounding areas marched through to see what their denial and willful ignorance had led to, and many were made to give burials to the deceased.
As she discussed the importance of Eisenhower’s foresight, and how he was able to anticipate that many people would not believe what had happened in the camps, Susan Eisenhower reminded us that Germany is one of the few countries in the world with zero tolerance of Holocaust denial. LEAP ambassadors learned about Germany’s efforts to reverse the wrongs of the Holocaust and its lingering effects earlier this year.
As the discussion transitioned to Eisenhower’s post-war service, I learned several interesting facts about his commitment to service and duty…
Apparently, on more than one occasion, President Truman offered not to run for reelection after his term, and instead let Eisenhower run for the Democratic nomination. Eisenhower refused each time because he was not in search of power. His granddaughter reminded us that he had wielded more power than most other leaders during World War II, and did not want run for president except when he felt it was his absolutely duty to do so.
A few other aspects of his commitment to duty were his refusal to wear a helmet because they should only be worn by those serving in combat, and his refusal to accept the Congressional Medal of Honor for the same reason – it was meant for those who had shown valor in combat.
The conversation then pivoted to Eisenhower’s leadership style as president of the United States. It was made clear that he did not engage in personal attacks; he was strategic and methodical in his political approach. When dealing with Senator McCarthy and his infamous hearings, Eisenhower did not call him out directly. Instead, he gave speeches about what American democracy should look like, insisted on televising the outrageous investigations, and let the Senate come to censure McCarthy on their own.
President Eisenhower also suffered no nonsense when it came to dealing with issues of race. As LEAP ambassadors learned in January of this year, the governor of Arkansas – Orval Faubus – dragged his feet in complying with the decision of Brown v. Board of Education, and made every effort to not desegregate schools. In response to this, Eisenhower mobilized the Arkansas National Guard and deployed 101st Airborne (paratroopers he had commanded on D-Day) to protect a group of African American students, immortalized in history as the “Little Rock Nine,” as they desegregated Little Rock Central High.
Susan Eisenhower then spoke about how her grandfather was a leader through study and discipline, and was naturally empathetic. He knew what people needed to hear, and tried to be relatable and genuine whenever he could. We saw a picture of him speaking with members of the 101st Airborne Division prior to D-Day and were told that he was discussing fly-fishing techniques with Lt. Wallace Strobel, rather than giving a pep talk about their mission. He wanted to remind them of their humanity.
Finally, President Eisenhower’s legacy of leadership and empathy are embodied eternally in Norman Rockwell’s portraits of him, which at various times depict him both serious and smiling. As his granddaughter explained, the big, toothy grin we saw was his trademark smile, as he was generally in good spirits around his family.
As the meeting came to a close, Susan Eisenhower reminded us that we will “be better as people if we can understand the views of those who come from…different backgrounds,” encouraging us to be ‘like Ike’ when it came to how we view and deal with those who are different than us.
This interview was so interesting and informative, and we were incredibly lucky to hear from Susan Eisenhower. We are grateful for her time and insight, and look forward to the possibility of meeting her in person someday soon.
Amid the limitations of COVID-19, the Pre-Law Society kicked off the new semester virtually by way a Facebook Live interview with attorney and SHSU alum Chris Tritico!
Tritico had many great stories and advice to share, including his time working with the legendary Richard “Racehorse” Haynes.
He talked about how Haynes could cross-examine a witness by slicing questions – or slightly changing the question – until he got the answer he felt was the truth.
He then shared a story about Haynes and his work on the trial of Morgana, the “Kissing Bandit,” a woman with large breasts…
…who had a habit of interrupting baseball games by running across the field to kiss a player. She did this once during an Astro’s game, and kissed Nolan Ryan.
She was arrested for this and charged with trespassing. When the case went to trial, she hired Haynes to represent her, and when asked what her defense was for trespassing, Hayne said simply, “Gravity.” He argued that she was trying to catch a foul ball, ended up falling over the fence, and decided to kiss Nolan Ryan while she was there. The case against her was dropped.
Tritico went on to discuss his own career, sharing that he eventually left and started his own law firm. Early on in his career, he became a go-to for educational law. He met someone who had been arrested and was a member of a teacher’s union, in search of representation. He told the person to go to his union, and find out who their attorney was, and sent him on his way. Shortly thereafter, a grateful leader within the teacher’s union – which happened to be the American Federation of Teachers – offered the role of union lawyer to Tritico. From then on, he became an expert in educational law.
One of the most moving stories of the evening was the story of Old Main, the most architecturally interesting building on SHSU’s campus.
In the early morning in February 1982, when Tritico was President of the student body, he got a call that Old Main was on fire. He rushed to the scene and asked Dean Powell what he could do. He was told to keep students away from the fire and wait for someone to relieve him. He ended up standing there for 17 hours.
The discussion came to the long-awaited topic: Tritico’s time representing Timothy McVeigh in the wake of the Oklahoma City bombing.
When interviewing with the existing attorneys to see whether he would be hired, Tritico was told that the attorneys were hoping to bring on a woman as additional counsel. Tritico responded, “If it means that much to you, I’ll wear a dress!” With that comment, he was hired, and worked on one of the biggest cases of domestic terrorism to that date.
We wrapped the evening up with a brief Q&A session. (Disclaimer: questions and answers are paraphrased.)
Q: How do you represent guys like McVeigh?
A: My job is not to support or condone the actions people take, my job is to protect and uphold the rights guaranteed by the Constitution.
Q: Can you tell us about “Potty-gate?”
A: There was a woman at a George Strait concert at the Astrodome who needed to go to the bathroom, but there were more men’s restrooms than women’s, so she went into a men’s bathroom and did her business. When she came out, two police officers were there to arrest her for violating an ordinance not allowing people to use the restroom of the opposite gender to cause a disturbance. She was acquitted after two days.
Q: Can you tell us more about the painting behind you?
A: This was painted by my wife, Debbie, and shows the reunion of me with my one-year-old son following my return from the McVeigh case. It brings tears to my eyes because I was away for a work often when he was younger. (This story brought tears to everyone’s eyes.)
In spite of the challenges presented by COVID-19, we are excited to get started with a new semester in the Pre-Law Society! We look forward to talking with guests we may not always be able to talk to in person, finding creative new ways to interact with each other, and learning as much as we can about the law.
LEAPsters faced another early morning for the closing day of the National League of Cities’ Congressional City Conference.
NLC Second Vice President and Mayor of Union City, Georgia, Vince Williams, called the session to order.
The session opening featured a panel discussion on homelessness with representatives from the Washington Metro Police Department and the National Alliance to End Homelessness as well as elected officials. Ending homelessness has become a high priority in recent years as the homelessness population continues to grow. Local and federal governments have been searching for a solution to this growing problem, and the experienced panel offered possible housing solutions, including shelters, affordable housing, and low income and veterans’ housing options. They also covered diversion programs, which divert the homeless with substance abuse or mental health problems to a health department instead of the police department.
The (knowledgeable and clearly passionate) panel also discussed implementation of education and workforce development programs as a longer-term solution, and ultimately, about the importance of providing a safe and healthy living environment to all residents.
A “town hall meeting” on COVID-19 with Dr. E. Oscar Alleyne, Senior Advisor for Public Health Programs, National Association of County and City Health Officials, closed out the morning general session.
Through an extremely informative Q&A format, Alleyne discussed the difference between COVID-19 ad the flu, and updated the audience on the current (but ever expanding) status of the COVID-19 outbreak in both the US and foreign countries.
Alleyne was able to convert medical and science jargon into easily absorbed information, thankfully. It was a bit scary, though, to learn about the coming microbial-resistance of future viruses because of the overuse of sanitizers and soaps in our everyday use.
On that note, we all sanitized our hands (maybe a bit sheepishly) and headed to the next session!
NLC Conference: Cybersecurity: City Data and the 2020 Census (EM)
With the country’s change to an online census and the upcoming presidential election, this panel provided some great advice to prevent cyberattacks within their cities at a low cost.
Enabling multi-factor authentication (MFA) to guarantee you’re the only person that has access to your log-ins.
Avoiding automatic updates and an all-access pass containing personal information on installed applications.
Setting privacy preferences to a restrictive setting by disabling geotags that will give your followers the ability to see your location.
NOT clicking on any link sent by a suspicious email address.
It is difficult to find a “one-size fits all” solution to address cybersecurity. And, accountability for cybersecurity is ultimately everyone’s responsibility—to understand and adopt preventative measures. According to the website referenced above, 47% of American adults have been attacked by a cybercriminal for their personal information. Notably, Miranda asked a question at this session.
NLC Conference: Closing General Session, with Lunch (ME)
All attendees headed into the ballroom for the closing session,…
…which included a catered lunch—Caesar salad, chicken with vegetables and rice, and a large slice of rich chocolate cake–that turned out decent!
NLC President Joe Buscaino kicked off the closing session with a few words, followed closely by officials who spoke on greenhouse emissions and plans to pass comprehensive legislation for regulating those emissions that should be based on science, and without partisan politics. They emphasized that, while this is an important issue, much misinformation abounds regarding efforts to reduce emissions. They indicated that several states have had success reducing their footprint, with Georgia making tremendous gains with a 22% reduction, and that the US is the global leader in reducing these emissions.
Buscaino next introduced Ms. Una Garvey, the Convention Center and Tourism Director for the City of Tampa, Florida. Tampa will host NLC’s annual City Summit this fall. Garvey invited everyone to the conference and shared a video from Mayor Jane Castor, who encouraged everyone to attend the Summit and immerse themselves into all the city had to offer from food to entertainment. Following that video, Buscaino presented the “President’s Award” to Congresswoman Anna Eshoo (not present) for her tireless efforts on the Hill to advocate for cities and local government.
Buscaino then introduced our keynote speaker as “the woman who needs no introduction,” current Speaker of the House Nancy Pelosi. Pelosi walked onstage to a standing ovation.
She started by thanking the crowd for their efforts for their public service, and spoke about how not only are public servants the eyes and ears of their cities but that their success was America’s success. Speaker Pelosi spoke on Congress’ commitment to working with local governments, especially considering the COVID-19 outbreak, by recently passing an economic response package that allocates funds directly to assist state and local governments. Pelosi also spoke about infrastructure needs affecting our communities, gun control (being adamant that it not be about politics or party but about keeping the future safe), and ended her time commenting on how it is our moral responsibility to be good stewards of this planet.
We next found ourselves on the grounds of the Cathedral Church of Saint Peter and Saint Paul in the City and Diocese of Washington, better known as the Washington National Cathedral. We were fascinated by the exterior of the architecture, and of course, could not resist posing in front!
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Before our tour, we visited the gift shop where a LEGO replica of the Cathedral was being built, and where which we could purchase and install a LEGO brick. (Of course we did!)
During the 2011 earthquake the Cathedral suffered extensive damage, and the LEGO installation is helping fund repairs.
Repairs continue as funding become available; current estimates put the completion at 2-3 more years. Phase I repairs to the Cathedral interior were completed in June 2015; Phase II will pivot towards the damaged pinnacles of the central tower and to the various chapels found throughout the Cathedral.
During our tour, we learned that it cost $65B to the build the Cathedral, completely from donations, and that it took 83 years to complete. The Washington National Cathedral is the sixth largest cathedral in the world and the second largest in the United States. Approximately 418,000 worshippers and tourists visit the Cathedral annually.
We were in awe when we caught sight of one of the Cathedral’s showpieces, the Rose Window, a 26-foot window made of over 10,500 pieces of stained glass, created by artisan Rowan LeCompte and fabricated by Dieter Goldkuhle.
Another favorite among the 215 stained glass windows was the Space Window, donated by former NASA astronaut Thomas O. Paine. Photographs taken during the Apollo 11 space flight inspired the design for the Space Window, and amazingly, the Space Window actually contains a small piece of moon rock.
The Cathedral contains many other interesting finds, such as:
The Canterbury Pulpit, carved from stone from the Canterbury Cathedral in England; from which many have preached, including Reverend Martin Luther King Jr., who preached his last Sunday sermon before his assassination from there;
A Children’s’ Chapel, donated by parents who had lost their six-year-old son;
A Chapel dedicated to the wars of the world;
A Chapel with paintings completed by renowned American painter N.C. Wyeth; and
President Woodrow Wilson’s tomb.
We saw many carvings, stained glass windows and beautiful chapels and did not even begin to cover the other areas of the Cathedral. Inspired to return for the “behind-the-scenes” tour someday, we headed back to the hotel, joined by even our taxi driver in proclaiming just how beautiful the Cathedral truly is.
We took the Metro (being experts by now) to try a DC favorite, Ted’s Bulletin, on the recommendation of one of our two special guests, former Junior Fellows Ademide Adedokun and Justin Veillon. Ademide and Justin both live and work for different governmental agencies in the DC area.
Over appetizers (Candied Nueske Bacon, Loaded Tots, and Pretzel Bites), we learned a little more about their journeys to DC. Both Ademide and Justin had interned and/or worked for Congressman Kevin Brady (our Huntsville Rep!) and although they had different paths, they each found their way to Capitol Hill. They also shared their internship experiences – both had interned with the City of Huntsville, a connection we could all make and talk about, as former & current interns and part-time employees.
We quizzed Ademide and Justin about how D.C. works, and without job-specific detail, they each described a typical day: the commute; the day-to-day work (sometimes explosively interesting, sometimes soul-grinding, but somehow always interesting); and the importance of maintaining a life-work balance. Ademide provided a little more background on transitioning between different positions and agencies, and how she has been successful navigating some of the DC “waters.” She recently bought a house, so we all congratulated her on that. Justin recently started a new position and, while his days are long, he shared that he does love about his work that he is in an environment of people who work hard and tirelessly every day.
Over our entrees (a variety of burgers and chicken dishes), we also shared our after-graduation plans and took in any advice offered. Ademide and Justin were great in offering insight on our different career paths. One thing they insisted on, though, is that no one ever has it figured out, and if you’re willing to take a LEAP at opportunities, sometimes you can find something you really enjoy.
Either way we leaned—wanting to move to DC, or maybe just planning another visit—we truly appreciated their insight. (And we really appreciate Justin dropping us at the National Mall – we got to chat a little more on the drive, and we were spared one Metro ride – thanks again, JV!)
National Mall, Monuments @ Night (MD)
Our first stop was the Lincoln Memorial.
We had heard that the National Mall is exceptionally popular (and pretty) at night, with the monuments lit. On our arrival at the Lincoln Memorial, we headed up the intimidating steps, surprised by the sheer size of the statue and monument. Lucky for us, there was lull in tourists taking pictures at the base of the statue, so we stepped in for a few shots.
A little on the Lincoln Memorial: President Abraham Lincoln was assassinated on April 15, 1865. Following his assassination, Congress created the Lincoln Monument Association to build a memorial for the former President and his legacy. On February 12, 1914 the Lincoln Memorial was dedicated and construction began the following month. On May 30, 1922, a dedication ceremony was held with Lincoln’s only surviving son in attendance.
We next walked through the Vietnam Veterans Memorial. The Vietnam Veterans Memorial Wall was commissioned to Maya Lin, an American designer and architect most known for her work on this Memorial, completed in 1982.
“The Wall” memorializes American veterans who died in the Vietnam War. Veterans’ names are listed in the order that they died or became unaccounted for while overseas. Symbolically, Lin designed the wall to appear as a “wound that is closing and healing,” and is a form of land art that was popular in the 1960s. Built on a 125-degree angle, one wall points toward the Lincoln Memorial and the other points towards the Washington Monument. We visited all three “parts” to the Memorial, including The Three Soldiers and the Vietnam Woman’s Memorial, but we all agreed that The Wall was the most impressive.
Finishing up the night, we arrived at the WWII Memorial, which includes 56 pillars representing the United States and territories involved in WWII. One side of the memorial represents the “Atlantic” and the other side the “Pacific,” symbolizing the global impact and extent of WWII. Because of the season, the fountain and reflecting pool had been drained, but we could still feel the impact of the Memorial, dedicated by President George W. Bush on May 29, 2004.
Luckily, we got some pictures before our visit was cut short by rain!
Center for Law, Engagement, and Politics 