In 2007, SHSU student Sarah Lisenbe volunteered for the Montgomery County Food Bank, and she learned about, and assisted with, a program called Empty Bowls. The next year, she interned for the Wynne Home, and she worked with local artist Tamara Chasteen to put on the program in Walker County. For 18 years, this program has been helping fight food insecurity in Walker County by benefitting the Walker County Senior Center and the “Meals on Wheels” program.
The Wynne Home has led this charge, with Angela Robinson spearheading this effort the past several years, and the LEAP Ambassadors assisting each year since the program’s inception.
The program involves two broad phases. First, art teachers offer classes to community members bowls are created and glazed. Second, just before or during Lent, the community comes to the Wynne Home, and with a suggested donation of $15, they can select a ceramic bowl, and then enjoy a hot meal donated by area businesses. For 2025, the generous sponsors were Five Loaves Deli, City Hall Cafe, Sam’s Table, Potato Shack, Huntsville High School Culinary Class, and HEB.
This year, under Robinson’s leadership and the assistance of many talented art teachers, the program produced more bowls (300) and, if preliminary reports are accurate, a record amount of donations (approximately $7,200)–to which the LEAP students contributed almost $600.
But it is a true community event. Teachers promote the arts in the community by hosting pottery sessions; local residents learn to mold and shape and glaze bowls; businesses donate to the worthy cause (Diego Varela, owner of Sam’s Table not only donated soup, he stopped by to donate!); and locals come to support the fight against food insecurity, see the Wynne Home, and enjoy each other’s company.
This was on full display today, with elected officials, city employees, non-profit leaders, and more than a hundred others supporting the cause. It was an Ash Wednesday to remember, but it’s purpose is to help fight food insecurity year-round. So, with each ceramic bowl that a local resident takes home, they have a reminder not only of the beauty and creativity inherent in art, but also that there are others who are suffering from a lack of the basic necessities. That is, they lack even food to put in bowl.
But, with the help of events such as “Empty Bowls,” there are fewer such bowls in Walker County.
There are few people who know the world better than Diana Negroponte–who has a law degree from American University, a PhD in International Affairs from Georgetown University, has written two books, and who is married to John Negroponte, former US Deputy Secretary of State, Director of National Intelligence, and Ambassador to the UN. We got a glimpse of Negroponte’s wisdom, intelligence, and knowledge at the Bush School last week.
The author’s subject was James Baker, whom she refers to as a “Master Negotiator” (which is also the name of her book on Baker), while highlighting four of Baker’s major accomplishments and how his work offers insights into today’s problems.
To take just one of these issues, Dr. Negroponte brought up the issue of Germany’s reunification as the USSR was crumbling. In the United States, there were hardliners who wanted Premier Gorbachev to fail, and many of these believed that working too closely with him would be a form of capitulation. On the other hand, a complete failure by Gorbachev would give Soviet hardliners a chance to retrench and exert a more powerful control over the Soviet Union.
Baker suggested a step-by-step approach, one that would allow for continued progress but not provoke retrenchment among what President Reagan called “The Evil Empire.” There were also Europeans who were not crazy about the idea of a German reunification–remembering that a unified Germany had once wreaked havoc across the continent.
Baker provided a steady hand. As the Berlin Wall began to crumble–metaphorically and then literally–Baker proposed four principles by which reunification should be considered:
Self-determination should be pursued;
Reunification, should it occur, should take place within the context of NATO and the larger European community;
The process should be peaceful, gradual, and in steps;
The “inviolability of existing borders should be respected (meaning the existing Polish-German border).”
Baker’s approach held sway, and while the US refused to “dance on the rubble” of the Wall, they did become increasingly adamant that reunification proceed. In part, this reflected the Bush Administration’s belief that they had to get ahead of the process to help guide it and ensure that it unfolded properly.
This approach, which proved successful, was marriage “between idealism and realism.” While idealists sometimes sacrificed lives and treasure for unobtainable ideals, and while realists sometimes sacrificed American ideals in the name of order, Baker sought to use a realistic approach in pursuit of gradual policies that would ultimately secure human rights.
Negroponte communicated these complex thoughts in an impeccable English–something much commented on–with a vaguely European or Ivy League accent.
She also took questions, with the help of moderator Andrew Natsios–who was the former Director of USAID (which came up in the discussion), a former state legislator (MA), US Special Envoy to Sudan, a Professor, and an author.
Afterward, Ms. Negroponte kindly signed our books, took a photo with us, and shared a few more stories.
We also had the opportunity to meet Andy Card…
…who, after serving in the Massachusetts Legislature, served in three presidential administrations: (1) Deputy Assistant to the President during the Reagan Administration; (2) Secretary of Transportation for President G.W.H. Bush; and (3) Chief of Staff for President G.W. Bush. He is perhaps best known for informing President Bush of the attack on the World Trade Center on September 11, 2001.
It was a perfect cap to an event that took us across centuries of political history, around the world, and a hand-shake away from some of the people who helped shape that history.
March 2 holds a important place in the heart of Texans, being both Sam Houston’s Birthday and Texas Independence Day. This year, the Huntsville community celebrating these milestones on March 1, with much preparation going into the day of celebration. But it was a particularly special day of celebration for me: It was my baptism as a Texan! I was born in Florida, but with a deep love for the Lone Star State and a current Texas resident, this event helped me make my Texas roots official.
Preparing for the Celebration
The Huntsville Lions Club is ever ready to beautify the community, and the LEAP Ambassadors are always prepared to help the Huntsville Lions Club. On holidays and other special days, the Lions Club puts out flags alongside the city streets, and, of course, Sam Houston’s Birthday is a special day in Huntsville!
So, at 6:15am, the Lions Club as well as Chrissy Biello, Olivia Discon, Jack Hammock, Olivia McCaughan, and Professor Yawn arrived bright and early to the Walker County Courthouse, where they placed Texas flags along the path of those engaged in “March 2 the Grave.”
It was a great way to lay the groundwork for what would become a fun filled, Tex-ified, day.
Gibbs-Powell Home
As part of the festivities, Olivia and Chrissy paid a visit to the beautiful and historic Gibbs-Powell Home, which hosted a brief coffee reception before the March 2 the Grave tradition.
Gibbs-Powell House in Spring (Photo by Dena Shipley)
We had the opportunity to explore the carefully preserved interior and admire some fine artifacts–such as a stereoscope, a grand piano, and the Gibbs and Powell family Bibles.
We even had a brief chance to sneak a peek upstairs, which once housed college students—arguably one of the best dormitories one could imagine!
Though our visit was short, it was an excellent start to the day, allowing us to deepen our understanding of Texas history through this incredible site in our community.
March 2 the Grave
The day continued with a solemn and patriotic march from the Old Main Pit on the Sam Houston State University campus to the Oakwood Cemetery. This is a tradition that has been around a very long time…
The roads, buildings, and attire have changed over the years, but the tradition remains.
It was a great way to bring different aspects of the community together…
…while also metaphorically connecting the town and gown…
Grave-Site Ceremony
Following the march, the community comes together at Sam Houston’s grave, in a ceremony that begins with the Texas and United States’ pledges.
The ceremony began with a warm welcome from community leaders, including:
Walker County Historical Commission Chair: Scott Collier
City of Huntsville Mayor: Russell Humphrey
County Judge (Walker County): Colt Christian
Vice-President of University Advancement: Matt Bethea
Hello Huntsville Host: Rob Hipp
Sam Houston Descendant: Lindsey Hughes
This celebration highlighted the enduring spirit of Texas and its people. Their words resonated with pride for Texas and Sam Houston’s historical significance.
One of the most touching moments came when Lindsey Hughes, a descendant of Sam Houston, discussed what it means to be a Texan. Hearing the words of someone with such a personal connection to the great Texas hero added a personal layer of meaning to the celebration, a connection that was particularly emphatic when she closed with the words, “If you want something done, ask a Texan.”
Long-time resident Tom Rogers then provided the audience a fascinating account of the event’s history, reminding us all why we gather each year to honor Sam Houston and Texas’ Independence in what is likely the oldest cultural tradition in Huntsville.
A Texas Baptism
The highlight of the day, at least for me and 80 others, was being baptized a Texan. This event is a unique and cherished tradition in the heart of Huntsville, with many people traveling from all around Texas to get baptized. For me, being “baptized as a Texan” was the culmination of years of admiration and a deep-seated feeling that Texas was truly my home. The baptism consisted of water sprinkled across my forehead by Liz Patton (whose late husband, James Patton, was a long-time County Clerk for Walker County and the unofficial historian of the County), symbolically washing away my out-of-state origins and christening me as a true Texan. Although I was born in Florida, my heart has always belonged to Texas, and now I have the certificate to prove it!
This event does a wonderful job of honoring the legacy of Sam Houston. Houston’s influence on the state of Texas is immeasurable, and his life exemplifies the spirit of Texas: bold, independent, and dedicated to freedom.
To celebrate the legendary Sam Houston’s birthday, Sam Houston State University (SHSU) puts on a fabulous annual event to honor the former president of Texas and to bring light to the great things going on at SHSU.
Organized by the President’s Office, under the leadership of the incredible Tabitha Shanley, Jennifer Alexander, and Dr. McCartney Johnson, the LEAP Ambassadors have been fortunate to assist at the event over the years.
A number of Texas representatives, senators, legislative staff, and key figures, along with SHSU alumni, are invited to take part in the celebration in our state’s capital.
Although Houston’s actual birthday is March 2, we celebrated a bit early, a function of scheduling obstacles and venue selection. Speaking of which, the event was held in a stunning historic home, a perfect for networking and catching up with those who care greatly about our university.
President White briefly took the stage to pay tribute to Sam Houston, the man, acknowledging that while he may not be the conventional hero, it was his wit, passion for others, and brilliance that made him a true leader.
As LEAP students, we strive to exemplify the values of our university: service to others, doing things the right way, and having fun while doing it. Sam Houston had one maxim: “…do right and risk the consequences.”
This is also, of course, an appropriate principle for Sam Houston State University, whose mission it is to offer accessible, high-quality. The years go by, seasons change, but the value of education lasts a lifetime and, through the impact of generational transfer, even beyond.
Friendships also can last a lifetime, and the friendly, hospitable culture of SHSU was on full display.
For us, this meant deepening ties to our fellow students, the SHAIP interns, who were enjoying the event after a day’s work at the Texas Capitol.
Even better, we had the opportunity to reconnect with former LEAP and Junior Fellow alumni, seeing generations of the LEAP Center at Sam Houston shine.
The program has fundamentally changed lives, shaping not only the communities we serve as LEAP Ambassadors but also those we impact beyond. LEAP and SHSU cultivate public servants, and this event was a powerful reminder of that.
On an annual basis, the City of Huntsvillle hosts its “State of the City” address, covering ongoing projects, accomplishments, and future aspirations. On February 25, 2025, community stakeholders gathered to learn just what state our city was in.
The City Secretary’s Office truly outdid themselves this year, taking a different model to the event than in years past. Hosted earlier on in the day, the event had a fantastic turnout. Several community friends, including Michelle Spencer and Tracy Stoudt, were in attendance, along with city staff, directors, and city council.
With a Posting of the Colors by SHSU’s Police Department, the presentation immediately started with what our city’s mission is: Community, mutual respect and reverence for our country, our state, and our city.
The Mayor of Huntsville, Russell Humphrey, took the stage to both welcome the audience, allude to the many incredible and important projects happening within the city, and…
introduce our newly appointed City Manager, Scott Swigert, who was in attendance. We had the opportunity to hear his excitement to serve in this new capacity, and we look forward to him, as a community, to having him serve as a leader. His term begins on March 17, 2025.
Sam Masiel, who has been serving as our Interim City Manager, went on to deliver the State of the City presentation. Covering the I-45 expansion, City Hall construction, and other infrastructure projects, Huntsville is absolutely and positively heading in the direction of growth. And sustainable growth, at that!
Mr. Masiel also covered the housing market in our city, along with other finance and budgetary updates, reflecting the intentional but conservative nature of the city’s budget and the incredible services provided.
In all, the 2025 State of the City address highlighted Huntsville’s progress and the exciting things ahead.
With eight students working in Austin or Washington, DC this spring, the LEAP Center at SHSU helped prepare the students for their legislative marathons!
For the students departing their homes and SHSU also means saying goodbye to family, friends, and our lovely campus in Huntsville. This session, there will be seven interns in Austin: Cinthia Villarreal, MaKenna Mcdaniel , Sarah Isett, Saara Maknojia, Sarah-Hope Parohl, Lupe Centeno, and, of course, myself. There will also be one intern in DC, Israel Gallego (and numerous interns in Huntsville…but that’s another blog).
We kicked off our preparation at the Texas Capitol, dressed in our suits and ready for headshots. No matter how many times we see the beautiful pink building, we are always in awe, and the fact that the Capitol is our office until June 2 is even more unbelievable.
We took photos around the Capitol grounds as well as inside on the Senate floor and the famous rotunda.
We had a great time talking, smiling, and learning as we posed for photos and walked around.
After wrapping up our headshots, we headed to Love Supreme Pizza for lunch. Professor Yawn had arranged a meet-up with SHAIP alumni, including Lexi Gonzales, Melva Gomez, Emily Johnson, Sadie McLaughlin, Spencer Copeland, and Oscar Aguilar. It was such a privilege to get to know these alumni and hear about their experiences interning at the Capitol. They shared tips, advice, and encouraging words about navigating our professional careers and this new chapter in our lives. We are incredibly thankful for this group of alumni for taking the time out of their day to help guide us.
Our Segway tour guide started by giving us some riding dos and don’ts before letting us practice. Some of us caught on quickly…
…while others (me, definitely me, once again) needed a bit more time to get the hang of it.
At one point, I was convinced I’d end up with my Segway in a bush, but thankfully, I managed to avoid disaster. Once we got rolling, though, it turned out to be an incredibly fun experience.
We stopped at several spots, including the Capitol grounds and some well-known restaurants downtown.
It was a great way to see the city and get excited about our new home for the next few months.
After the tour, we returned to our starting point, and I was pretty happy to be back on solid ground. It had been an incredible day—from connecting with alumni to exploring Austin on Segways.
We’re all beyond excited to get to work and learn as much as we can during this session. Representing Sam Houston State University is a huge honor, and we can’t wait to make our mark at the Capitol just like previous Bearkats have.
Each legislative session, the Texas State University System hosts a Gala that raises funds for its member institutions. This year’s Gala honored staff in the Texas Legislature and featured Brad Paisley, who provided much merriment over the course of the evening. On hand to assist were the SHAIP Interns, who, after working a long day in the TX Legislature, helped check-in a record number of attendees, and then enjoyed the evening!
Chancellor Brian McCall introduced the event…
…providing an overview and humor while introducing guests. Regent Charlie Amato also said a few words, before encouraging guests to eat, drink, and be merry–advice the guests took to heart.
For most of the SHAIP interns, it was their first time at the Moody Theater / Austin City Limits, and just being there was a bit of a history lesson.
And, of course, the students had a chance to experience some of that history while listening to Brad Paisley.
The real treat and lessons, however, came in the chance to meet people who attended the event. This included spending time with President White and Dr. McCartney Johnson…
…meeting former Speaker of the House–and member of the Presidents Circle–Gibb Lewis…
..and meeting or reacquainting ourselves with LEAP Alumni and just getting to know each other better.
For TSUS, it was a great way to elevate the profile of the System and its member institutions, highlighting the many ways the institutions benefit the state of Texas and raising money for students.
The event was a great success, which of course was to be expected, given that it was overseen by Vice-Chancellor Mike Wintemute, Derrick Alexander, and Malu Gonzalez. The event, and the people involved, provided a great introduction to Austin and the Austin City Limits to the SHAIP interns.
With a new president in office, evolving policies, and shifting global dynamics, it’s more important than ever for LEAP Ambassadors and friends of LEAP to gain a broader understanding of our country’s role in world affairs. What better place to do so than at an event hosted by the World Affairs Council of Greater Houston?
This time, however, WAC hosting in a different place: a coffee shop, Mercantile, which offered an intimate, cozy Q&A-style event, a fitting backdrop to the conversation, given the current era of navigating through “concepts of a plan.”
The discussion featured former Ambassador of Madagascar Michael Pelletier and Professor Richard Sindelar, both bringing expertise in diplomacy and global affairs, offering key insights into what to watch for during the Trump administration.
The conversation covered a broad range of topics, from USAID and foreign aid, to the ongoing competition between global superpowers and the shifting forces shaping diplomacy today. Naturally, Elon Musk’s name came up more than once, not always in a positive tone.
Despite their diplomatic backgrounds, the panelists’ responses were candid—so much so that they frequently found themselves apologizing for being undiplomatic. It was a great chance to hear honest perspectives from experts who have navigated the complexities of global affairs and studied them deeply. While the conversation may have felt a tad pessimistic, it was an invigorating event to attend.
Mala Sichuan Bistro
by Michelle Moya
LEAP has become my passport to global cuisines, taking me from the platters of Ethiopia to India and the delicious sausages of Germany. Tonight, after an insightful day at the World Affairs Council event, our culinary compass pointed us toward Mala Sichuan Bistro.
The restaurant’s ambiance enticed us in upon entering with classic Chinese architectural components such as hanging lanterns and Chinese art on the wall, creating an authentic environment. While the background music seemed out of place, the meticulously chosen artwork and carefully curated interior design choices transported us right into Chinese culture.
Our appetizer spread showcased Sichuan’s bold flavors. The red oil dumplings emerged as my personal favorite, especially because the oil provided a touch of spice.
Everyone bravely ventured into the Fuqi Feipian, commonly known as “Husband and Wife Lung Dish.” Although the dish traditionally contains slices of beef heart, tongue, and tripe, lung is not always used, and it was not clear what the exact ingredients of this dish were. I especially wouldn’t know because I avoided it…
Then we decided to get sour and spicy wontons, rounding out our starter selection, which I enjoyed a lot, mentioning again, due to their hint of spice.
Our main courses reflected the diversity of Sichuan cuisine. Jack ordered the Peppercorn Chicken, Olivia got the Shredded Beef with Seasonal Vegetables, while my Pickled Pepper Fish Fillet arrived in a creamy sauce perfectly balanced between richness and the sharp heat of red chili.
Macey kept it classic with fried rice, while Professor Yawn took our server’s suggestion—the Jiggling Pork Belly, a dish that lived up to its interesting name.
The best part wasn’t even the food. It was sitting around the table and chatting, making this an educational adventure. In the ever-expanding anthology of LEAP dining experiences—Mala Sichuan Bistro? Definitely one for the books.
Center for Law, Engagement, and Politics 