Civic Engagement – Page 10 – Center for Law, Engagement, and Politics

Discovering the UH Law School: A LEAP Center Journey

by Madison Thurkettle

The John M. O’Quinn Law Building–the home of UH Law School–offers a grand yet inviting welcome to the study of law.

The modernist structure, designed by Shepley Bulfinch, greets visitors with a touch of the classical: Gerhard Marcks’ sculpture “Albertus Magnus,” who was the teacher of St. Thomas Aquinas, one of the greatest thinkers of history.

If that’s not enough to inspire the aspiring law student, then UH’s law program will probably do the trick, with specialties that pre-law students dream of pursuing. We, a mix of LEAP Ambassadors, Pre-Law Society members, and students in Professor Yawn’s “How to Win in the Courtroom” class, had the pleasure of witnessing, exploring, and envisioning our future during an amazing tour of the UH Law School.

Guided by a friendly and knowledgeable UH Ambassador, Justin Cheap, we experienced the school with a sense of comfort and relatability in a place that can initially seem so far beyond what we imagined.

The Law Center spans five floors, each designed with purpose and opportunity in mind. The fifth floor offers a quiet library space where students can focus, recharge, and enjoy breathtaking views of the Houston skyline. It serves as a reminder that achievement is within reach.

The fourth floor brings more energy, fostering collaboration through group study areas, access to professors, advanced coursework, bar exam preparation rooms, and even spaces to relax, nap, or grab a bite.

The third floor brought us into what a law school lecture room looks like. This floor has most of the upper level law student classrooms, and had an outdoor sitting area, perfect for fall weather fresh air. Interestingly, this floor also features an art piece by Charles Pebworth, an SHSU art professor who has many pieces at SHSU and the Wynne Home Arts Center.

The second floor houses most of the 1L and some 2L classrooms, along with a beautiful glass-ceiling section that proudly displays awards and accolades from the school’s long history since its founding in 1927. The first floor features the largest lecture hall in the Law Center, which can also be transformed into a fully functional courtroom. Remarkably, the Supreme Court has held sessions here, giving students a rare chance to witness the legal system at its highest level without ever leaving campus.

Of course, we learned more than just about the space; we also learned about the caliber of the school. UH is a top-65 program in the nation, ranking in the top 10 in Health Care law. It has more than a dozen programs and offers several joint degree options (including degrees in medicine and history!). With a tuition of about $37,000 a year, the school attracts an exclusive pool of law students: their entering class has a median GPA of 3.75 and a median LSAT of 161. With this talent, it’s no surprise that the first-time bar-passage rate is 86 percent.

From its modern architecture to its unparalleled opportunities for networking, education, and growth, the University of Houston Law Center proves that it is more than just a school, it is a launchpad for future leaders in the legal field.

LEAP’s Summer Interns Enhance Huntsville

Five Sam Houston State University students wrapped up a summer of service to the City of Huntsville by presenting their project-based internship last week, showcasing months of work that connected classroom learning to real-world impact.

The interns—Macey Schank, Audra Munro, Sofia Soto, Ayme Mendoza, and Kelsey Villatoro—major in different disciplines but they shared a common summer experience: making Huntsville a more livable community.

Schank, who interned in the City Manager’s Office, spent her summer digging into data on personnel, salaries, and fee schedules. “It was rewarding to see how much behind-the-scenes work goes into running the city,” she said, noting that her research will inform future administrative decisions.

Munro brought her artistic eye to the Wynne Home Arts Center, where she developed a detailed map of Huntsville’s Cultural District. The map, once published, will guide residents and visitors to the city’s creative spaces. “Art and culture are part of Huntsville’s identity,” Munro said, “and I’m glad to have contributed to highlighting that.”

Soto worked with the Recycling Department, auditing residents’ recycling habits and tracking participation levels across the city. Her findings will help Huntsville improve education efforts and expand its sustainability programs.

Mendoza spent her internship with the Parks Department, pitching in on community events, including the city’s popular July 4th celebration. Villatoro interned with Huntsville Main Street, where she helped organize fall events, managed social media content, and conducted research on downtown businesses.

Some of the students’ intern supervisors were on hand. Amanda Schillaci, from Main Street, attended. Olivia Discon (Assistant to the City Manager) and Sam Masiel (Assistant City Manager), attended to see Schank’s presentation, as well as to support the intern program in general. Sandra Rodriguez, whose work in Human Resources, is crucial to the functioning of both the interns and the City, was also on hand.

The internship is a partnership between the Political Science Department, Chaired by Dr. Jason Enia (who also graciously attended) and the Center for Law, Engagement, And Politics. Through this partnership, the students receive at least three hours of credit, while being paid by the City of Huntsville and earning a scholarship through the LEAP Center. Additional interns, not on hand, worked for the state and federal governments.

It is a winning partnership–not just for the students and the City, but also for a community that grows stronger and closer with each project completion.

Remembering Sam Houston’s Final Days

by Olivia Discon

On Saturday, July 26, LEAP attended the final event in the Sam Houston Memorial Museum’s Saturday Spotlight series for the summer. Fittingly, it landed on the anniversary of Sam Houston’s death in 1863.

To mark the occasion, museum staff and other dedicated historians wore period clothing and guided visitors through the Steamboat House—where Houston spent his final days. It’s a somewhat of a hidden gem in Huntsville, but a key piece of its history, nonetheless. After being forced out of public life, Houston moved to Huntsville because its rolling, wooded hills reminded him of Tennessee. The Steamboat House wasn’t glamorous, and he didn’t own it. He and his wife rented the home when money was tight.

At the age of 70, Sam Houston—a two-time governor, president, and Texas hero, died of pneumonia. Walking through the house, costumed interpreters shared details about his death and funeral. A few facts stood out: Houston’s coffin was made by inmates at the Walls Unit, and the funeral was held upstairs in the home. Reports differ, but it seems the funeral was sparsely attended, likely due to the short notice and limited communication at the time. Seven of his eight children were in attendance, with the exception of Sam Jr.

After his death, his family split across the state of Texas, though many were ultimately buried together in Independence, Texas. Margaret Houston died of yellow fever in the midst of the epidemic. It was so feared at the time that not even her pastor would pray over her body at the funeral, as they believed that the fever was contagious even after death.

Although the summer is coming to a close, the Sam Houston Memorial Museum will continue hosting historical demonstrations throughout the month of August. The beautiful museum grounds and the rich history of Huntsville are just some of the many things that distinguish Sam Houston State University from the rest.

Judge Moorman Shares Career Insights with LEAP Center Interns

LEAP Center interns work in various capacities, from businesses, to government offices, to non-profits, but they also learn from each other and outside the workplace. Approximately twice a month, LEAP interns–“City Fellows”–meet outside the office to enhance their internship experience. This month their outside-the-workplace experience involved a “guest lecturer” of sorts: Judge David Moorman led a tour of the District Court in the Walker County Courthouse.

The tour and discussion involved an overview of the (1) County Judge (Floor 2), (2) the County Court at Law Judge (Floor 1), (3) the Grand Jury room (Floor 3), and (4) the District Court courtroom (Floor 3). Combined with their prior tours, which included among other places/venues, the Municipal Courtroom…

…the Fellows reviewed the judicial system, going over which kinds of cases make it to a JP or Municipal Court, County Court at Law, or the District Court–the latter consisting almost exclusively of felony cases.

For some of the interns, this was just one of several meetings with Judge Moorman. The Judge has generously spoken at the Pre-Law Society meetings…

…invited LEAP Ambassadors to some of his trials, joined the students at various events they have hosted…

…and is a regular attendee at the Ambassadors’ annual 10th Court of Appeals hearings.

Victoria McClendon, who was also on hand, worked for Moorman while she was at SHSU, and after her graduation from law school, he swore her into the Texas Bar.

Indeed, when Moorman walked into the courtroom, he saw McClendon and asked, “Are you returning to school?”

More seriously, Judge Moorman discussed some of those felonies that make it to his court, while also discussing other aspects of his career: his work in a law firm; his decision to run for a judicial position; how judicial proceedings can differ in smaller and larger towns; and his time prosecuting for the Municipal Court.

This discussion also ventured into advice for young attorneys. Oddly, even as Huntsville has grown over the years, the number of attorneys in the community has declined. For those attorneys who do wish to make their mark in a community, they often take their cues from more established attorneys. But in communities with fewer attorneys, such models may be lacking. But Moorman stressed the importance of gaining respect, which is earned by being prepared, taking a work-horse rather than a show-horse approach, and looking out for the best interests of your clients.

Of course, this is good advice for almost all occupations–a fitting discussion for interns with different backgrounds, working for different agencies, all of whom are contemplating their future.

With many thanks to Judge Moorman, it was a rewarding outside-of-class / outside-of-work learning experience in which the LEAP Center specializes.

CASA’s Christmas in July: Giving & Games

The SHSU Lowman Student Center Orange Ballroom was filled with the warmth of holiday spirit and community generosity this past weekend, as CASA of Walker County hosted its annual “Christmas in July” Bingo Fundraiser.

With nearly 500 attendees–including, of course, LEAP students–there to support CASA, the event was a reflection of the community’s commitment to children in foster care.

The event featured 15 lively rounds of bingo…

…which was expertly MC’d by Terrence Bell…

…a silent auction, and a live auction of artwork created by children involved in CASA programming.

Raffle prizes included high-value items such as a $1,500 VISA gift card and diamond jewelry, while (some) guests embraced the evening’s “Gingerbread Christmas” theme with the contradictory summer holiday attire.

The fundraiser supports CASA’s ongoing efforts to recruit, train, and supervise volunteers who serve as advocates for children involved in the child welfare system. And while CASA is a national organization, it is managed locally, with dedicated staff such as Kim Weiser (Director)…

…Laura Green (Development Director/Event Planner)…

Rachel Drake (Program Director), Sharee Brabits (Advocate Supervisor) and Katy Thompson (Advocate Supervisor) overseeing Walker, San Jacinto, and Trinity counties.

Also on hand were many of its board members, including SHSU’s own Victoria White, who helped MC the event–she also won a Bingo game!

Greg Smith with the Sam Houston Memorial Funeral Home;

…and Malori Martin, Assistant District Attorney with the Walker County District Attorney’s Office…

…among many others.

For LEAP, it was a great opportunity to bring together students who have spent at least part of the summer in disparate places. Michelle Cardenas spent much of the summer interning in Austin for Governor Greg Abbott; Makenna McDaniel moved from internship (in Austin, with Rep. Will Metcalf) to another (Huntsville, with Rep. Trey Wharton)…

Olivia Discon has worked at the City of Huntsville; Sofia Soto moved to Huntsville to intern with the City;

Michelle Moya is still living in Montgomery County, while commuting to Huntsville and working for Rep. Trey Wharton; and Olivia McCaughan drove in from Prosper, TX, specifically for this event.

Together, we had the opportunity to see many leaders of the University and the community. We spent a little time with President White…

…whose husband, Elliott…

…helped sponsor the event and gave everyone a Christmas ornament!

We also saw Mayor Humphrey and City Manager Scott Swigert;

…had a chance to catch up with Jolynn Wharton;

…said hi to council members Karen Denman and Vicki Mackenzie;

…caught up with Chamber President and CEO Jason Brandolini and his wife, Kendra Windisch…

…as well as many other community leaders.

And, of course, we had a chance to see a lot of people celebrate their victories in Bingo, including our own Stephanie Fors!

With events that are much fun, it’s sometimes difficult to remember that the true spirit behind the event is to do good for the area youth. But with the presence of the many good people in the Walker County community, much good did occur: more than $130,000 was raised for CASA, funds that will go to expand training and support for volunteers, bolster outreach efforts to underserved regions, and provide essential resources for children in need.

For these children, and for all who care about others, the event was truly a Christmas in July.

WAC Event Highlights Filipino Cuisine and Contributions

Over the years, the World Affairs Council (WAC) has exposed LEAP students (and many other students) to new cultures, concepts, and speakers, greatly enriching our education. Last week, WAC did it again, offering an intriguing look at the culture of the Philippines in another of their “Culinary Passport” series featuring moderator Saege Anzueto; Dr. Riza Mauricio, a Professor at UTHealth Houston; Cybil Pallugna-Saenz, President of the Filipino American National Historical Society; Nathaniel Uy, President of the Filipino Graduate Student Association at Rice University; and artist Nixxio Castrillo.

The event was held at Houston’s Gerry’s Grill, a restaurant that originated in the Philippines, then migrated to California, before reaching its apex in Houston. With approximately 40 guests for this event alone, the restaurant provided a wonderful menu that included Lumpiang Shanghai (Filipino eggrolls), Chicken Skewers, (probably) Bistek Pinoy, Pancit Bami, and Chop Suey. The food was wonderful; the restaurant did a great job curating the food choices. Although everyone expressed satisfaction with all the meals, there was probably a consensus that the Bistek Pinoy was especially good, both tender and flavorful.

The speakers offered perspectives that were as diverse as the food. Professor Mauricio, not surprisingly, stressed the importance of Filipinos in health care, noting the large numbers and impressive contributions that Filipinos have made in nursing, particularly at the Texas Medical Center.

She noted with pride that May 13 of this year was named “Filipino Nurses Day,” while also noting with some regret that it took so long for these contributions to be recognized.

Pallugna-Saenz discussed the contributions the Filipino American National Historical Society has made in archiving Filipino contributions, while also expressing a desire to grow the organization.

Nixxio Castrillo made note of his approach to art, highlighting some of the materials he uses (copper, brass, stainless steel) which require a detailed, nuanced approach–much like that of fine jewelry–to achieve the desired effect.

And Nathaniel Uy spoke specifically to the young professionals in the audience, encouraging them to build a foundation for their future careers, take risks, and to treat the world “as [their] oyster. He knows of which he speaks.

When he left the Philippines to attend Rice, he scheduled a visit with the Filipino consulate. He wanted help adapting to a new country, but he also, as he put it, “just wanted the Consul to know who I was.”

As we have come to expect at WAC events, the evening was informative, interesting, and not least, tasty. We enjoyed meeting the distinguished speakers, other guests, and, of course, seeing our friends at the World Affairs Council.

It’s always fun at a World Affairs Council event, especially when food is involved, and tonight was no different.

The Legislature and Municipalities: An Update from Strategic Government Resources

by Olivia Discon

Although the Texas legislative session ended on June 2, much of the policy work remains. For one, there is a special session scheduled for July 21; for another, the implementation of the 1,000+ bills that passed looms large, with many of the bills taking effect on September 1. To help cities prepare for this implementation, Strategic Government Resources (SGR) brought in experts from the Texas Municipal League for a webinar: “Reviewing the Texas Legislative Session and Bills Impacting Local Government.”

The Grassroots and Legislative Services Department of the Texas Municipal League (TML) dedicated their time (and sanity) this session to monitoring the 9,000+ bills introduced this past session. They work with the legislators and staff to ensure bills are “city friendly” and, occasionally, to fight legislation that would undermine cities’ powers to provide for their communities.

This session, according to TML reports, there were 2,189 bills filed that impacted local government, 262 of which passed. With most of the bills taking effect September 1, cities all across the state are working to understand how this new legislation may apply to their communities–and they are doing so during budget season! Fortunately, SGR and TML hosted this webinar to provide an overview.

Leading the discussion was TML’s newly appointed Director of Grassroots and Legislative Services Monty Wynn; Ben Brezina, Assistant City Manager of Frisco, TX; and Rustin Stewart, Assistant Director of Administrative Services of Frisco, TX. They covered a wide array of topics–including land use, AI, code enforcement, and the Open Meetings Act.

Here are some key bills that are of statewide interest:

SB 1173 (authored by Rep. Perry) moves the competitive bidding threshold from $50,000 to $100,000. As prices rise and as Texas grows, this bill allows city staff to keep projects moving.

HB 2217 (authored by our very own Rep.Wharton!) provides a grant opportunity from the Office of the Governor’s Criminal Justice division for bullet-resistant police vehicles and other equipment to local police departments.

HB 1522 (authored by Rep. Gerdes) changes the notice of a public meeting of a governmental body to be posted for at least three business days, as opposed to 72 hours previously, in a place available and accessible to the public. This might not seem like a world of a difference, but this can completely change the harmony of a City Secretary’s weekly schedule. Assembling agendas have a lot of moving parts leading up to their eventual posting, and this new requirement may lead to an expedited due date for agenda items to be submitted by city staff.

In addition to this, HB 4214 affirms that councilmembers do not need to submit a Public Information Request to receive information from the city.

This is just the tip of the iceberg in terms of legislation, and if you feel overwhelmed, you are not alone! But with resources such as SGR, TML, and the Texas Tribune, there are many tools to help the public stay informed.

Representative Trey Wharton Opens District Office in Huntsville, TX

by Olivia Discon

On July 1, 2025, the Huntsville Walker County Chamber of Commerce hosted a ribbon cutting to celebrate the opening of Representative Trey Wharton’s District Office in Huntsville, TX. Thie opening occurs at the end of Wharton’s inaugural session representing District 12 in the Texas Legislature, and the occasion drew many local luminaries, including: County Judge Colt Christian; Mayor Russell Humphrey; Jeff Murski (representing Congressman Pete Sessions); President of HISD Trustees; Ken Holland; Jennifer Alexander; Dr. McCartney Johnson; and many others, including, of course, LEAP Ambassadors.

In addition, Trey Wharton’s staff were in attendance. Anna Hynes, Chief of Staff; Madi Hawkins, Legislative Director; Julie Porter, Constituent Services Director; as well as newly-hired staff for the local office: Patti Utley, Makenna McDaniel (a former SHAIP Intern for Rep. Will Metcalf), and LEAP Ambassadors Michelle Moya.

With a packed room, Huntsville Walker County Chamber of Commerce CEO Jason Brandolini swiftly settled the room down for a brief set of remarks from Representative Wharton.

He reflected on his first legislative session and his many achievements throughout the past 6 months–including a grant opportunity for law enforcement agencies to acquire more bullet-resistant equipment on their vehicles.

He thanked his constituents, his staff, and his wife JoLynne for their support in this endeavor and proudly announced his decision to run for another term!

Before the ribbon cutting ceremony, he jokingly reminded the locals that this office was not his insurance office, nor is his insurance office a place to handle the complexities of Texas politics.

This lighthearted comment emphasized his connection to the Huntsville community and his desire to make positive change while maintaining his grounded personality.

This official opening also marks only the second time this century that the District 12 Representative has opened an office in Huntsville. This positive step suggests Huntsville has the potential to play a larger role in the Texas Legislature in the years to come and is equipped with a representative who, as a graduate of Huntsville High (class of 1985), has the desire and ability to make that happen.

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