Civic Engagement – Page 29 – Center for Law, Engagement, and Politics

Pre-Law Society Informational Meeting

Are you an SHSU student considering a career in law, but don’t know where to start? If so, SHSU’s Pre-Law Society (PLS) is an excellent start to your pre-law journey!

Prospective Pre-Law Students Discuss the Pre-Law Society

In advance of our first regular meeting, which is on February 21, 2024, officers held an informational for students considering careers in law. With a focus on what the Pre-Law Society does, we highlighted our meetings as well as the benefits of the organization.

VP of Marketing, Cinthia Villarreal, Discusses PLS Advantages

Regular Meetings: The Pre-Law Society meets officially once a month, typically featuring speakers such as defense attorneys, prosecutors, judges, special prosecutors, or law-school admissions representatives. For our first meeting February 21, we are having a mix, with SHSU alums returning to discuss their law-related careers. Guests include Quinn Kobrin (3L at University of New Hampshire Law), Victoria McClendon (first-year attorney in Houston area), and Blake Roach (former aide to Governor Abbott and currently an intergovernmental affairs specialist).

Special Events: The Pre-Law Society also participates in many special events, such as last week’s “How-to-get-into-Law School” discussion with the University of Tulsa College of Law; the upcoming Mock Law class, as well as various special guests, such as former Director of Counterintelligence for the CIA Jim Olson (March 27) and former US Attorney General Alberto Gonzales (March 29). Additionally, the PLS offers a Mock LSAT each semester, giving students the opportunity to assess where they are in their law-school preparation.

Walker County DA Will Durham Covers his Role as Prosecutor

When you throw in benefits such as the (1) access to LSAT Resources through the LEAP office, (2) a free t-shirt, (3) access to expanded professional networks, and (4) eligibility for pre-law scholarships, membership in the Pre-Law Society is a great value!

For more information about Pre-Law Society and events, please email Professor Yawn (mike.yawn@shsu.edu) and follow our Instagram @prelawsocietyshsu. Many thanks to all of the students who attended this informational session for Pre-Law Society, and we hope to see you at our first meeting February 21!

If you would like to join the Pre-Law Society, you can pay at CHSS 480 on Monday, February 19 or Wednesday February 21 between 10:30am-1:30pm. Or, you can pay between 5-6pm on February 21 in CHSS 120, just before our regular meeting. Payment can be accepted in the form of cash, check, cashier’s check, or money order.

Seeing Eye-to-Eye with David Brooks

by Cinthia Villarreal

After an insightful day with Megan Henson from the University of Tulsa College of Law, Michelle Cardenas, Christina Biello, Olivia Discon, and I headed to Houston to attend a World Affairs Council event with renowned author David Brooks, the writer of How to Know a Person: The Art of Seeing Others Deeply and Being Deeply Seen.

As we walked into the glamorous Royal Sonesta Hotel, we had the honor of meeting with former LEAP Ambassadors Quinn Korbin, Victoria McClendon, and Megan O’Flaherty.

Following an introduction by Executive Director Maryanne Maldonado…

…the program was officially kicked off by moderator Ronan O’Malley, Chief Program Officer at WAC.

When asked about his intentions behind writing this book, Brooks mentioned this was his attempt to teach people basic social skills. With measures of societal and individual connectedness at a low, with suicides high and climbing, and with disagreements seemingly both common and insurmountable, Brooks stressed the need for skills that will help people have meaningful, empathetic conversations with others.

One aspect of this, according to Brooks, is that there is no emphasis put on moral or character development. And while Brooks noted that he didn’t want to go back to the 1950s and “sometimes corny” way this was approached then, he does think there is a role for that in today’s society. Moreover, he notes that his own students describe themselves–in my new favorite phrase–as “morally inarticulate”.

As he notes in his book, he describes two types of people in society, which he calls illuminators, who make you feel heard and ask you questions because they are genuinely interested in your story; and diminishers, who usually stereotype people they talk to and are not interested in knowing other’s stories.

Brooks went on to describe how the same experience can affect each person differently since the act of seeing is not passive but an active, subjective construction of reality. Using another phrase that will stay with us, Brooks described “experience” not as “what happens to you but what you do with it.”

Throughout the event, Brooks proved his remarkable skills at managing the crowd. He truly captivated all of us by his amazing way of narrating and communicating his knowledge. He would have the whole room laughing one minute and tearing up the next.

A question from the audience urged Brooks to talk about what to say to someone living with depression. People usually make mistakes like telling the person what to do to “lift” the depression or reminding them of the good things they do have; however, this will only make them feel worse. Instead, he suggests approaching the person with a genuine heart by acknowledging the situation and asking about what they are feeling.

After the thought-provoking talk, we had the opportunity to meet Brooks and get our books signed and personalized.

We would like to thank the World Affairs Council for hosting yet another incredible event, the staff for their hard work, and David Brooks for such an inspirational talk.

Tragedy and Remembrance in Oklahoma City

On our day in Oklahoma, we were determined to visit the Oklahoma City Bombing National Memorial & Museum, a site strategically sandwiched by us between happier visits to the Oklahoma Capitol building and the Oklahoma City Museum of Art. We were wise to begin and end our time in OKC with happy destinations, because the Bombing Museum and Memorial is a sobering and emotional experience.

Oklahoma City Bombing National Memorial & Museum

After getting a glimpse of Oklahoma’s history from its Capitol, we went on to learn more about one of the state’s darker days. The Oklahoma City Bombing was a tragic instance of domestic terrorism in which 168 people were killed and 680 injured. On the grounds of this tragedy, the Oklahoma City Bombing National Memorial & Museum was erected.

Upon entry, we learned of how the Alfred P. Murray Federal Building served the country before its fall. Federal entities such as the Social Security Administration and U.S. Secret Service officed in this structure, along with a daycare center.

The museum unfolds chronologically, providing a history of the 1990s in general, as well as the events surrounding the bombing. The morning of the bombing, April 19, 1995, unfolded largely like any other, with the Oklahoma Water Board Resources Meeting beginning at 9:00.

At 9:02, the bomb planted by Timothy McVeigh exploded, and Oklahomans’ lives changed forever.

The explosion tore through the building, destroying approximately half of the building, killing not only people in the building, but also pedestrians and bystanders on nearby blocks. Devastation was everywhere.

The scope of the devastation was horrific to learn about, but equally as sad were the individual stories that the museum told well.

We took some time to immerse ourselves in what was a horrific day, but not one devoid of hope.

What was most striking to me was the strength of the Oklahoma community in a time of such travesty.

Watching the local news broadcasts of citizens bringing heaps of donations, lining up to donate blood, and provide support in any way possible was tear-jerking.

The perpetrator of this act of terrorism, Timothy McVeigh, was arrested after only 90 minutes after the mass murder. Despite planning a huge crime with some complex logistics and carrying it out, he didn’t think to ensure his car had a license plate on it, and this was the ultimate cause of his arrest. Interestingly, SHSU plays a small role in this history, as alum and defense attorney Chris Tritico represented McVeigh during his trial.

In all, the Oklahoma City Bombing National Memorial & Museum is meticulously crafted to evoke the gravity of this event, while honoring the victims and looking towards a brighter future in an all encompassing, devastatingly profound structure.

Chilly at the Lodge: Food, Fun, and Fundraising

by Michelle Cardenas

In a small town like Huntsville, Texas, tradition beats it all. So when the first Saturday in February rolls around, everyone is eager to indulge in one of the tastiest community events of the year!

For the past 3 years ,“Chilly at the Lodge” has brought together the community and chili chefs from all over the country for a chili cookoff. The fundraiser has proven to be a great success and fun-filled event, with much of the work being led by Karla Christian and a team of community volunteers. All the proceeds go to support the Josey Scout Lodge, where the event is held.

This year, the LEAP Ambassadors were fortunate enough to be guest judges for the community youth and adult division. Although our credentials for cooking chili are a bit lacking, we can determine what we like. As the time for judging approximated, we all headed into the judges’ area in the lodge. We were greeted by many familiar faces, including Mac and Leanne Woodward; SHSU’s Gene Roberts; former City Attorney of Huntsville Thomas Leeper;

…Assistant City Manager Sam Maisel; SHSU’s Mandy Dunbar; Pete Sessions’ District Coordinator, Jeff Murski;

…and former LEAP ambassador and current City of Huntsville Economic Development Specialist Miranda Estrada. We also had the privilege of meeting Walt Pinegar, former investigator for the Walker County District Attorney’s office.

The judging process was very official; we began with a judges’ meeting directed by Don Cullum, six-time International Chili Society World Championship qualifier.

The stakes were high, and we did not take our roles as judges lightly. We were soon divided into two groups and so Olivia, Cinthia, Jessica and I ended up judging the community youth category ,while Morgan judged the community adult chili. We quickly grabbed our ballots and got to tasting!

There were other categories such as traditional red chili, veggie chili, chili verde, and homestyle chili. With such an extensive amount of chili to be tasted, there was a wonderful lineup of judges, including Mayor Russell Humphrey, City Manager Aron Kulhavy, Michelle Lyons, and our very own, Professor Yawn.

After judging, we couldn’t help but sample the other delicious chilis from across the country, one of which was California! The chilis ranged from all walks of spice and fixings and while it was hard to choose a favorite, we ultimately cast our ballots for the ‘People’s Choice’ category (for the winners, see the bottom of the article). We had a wonderful time conversing with the many people in attendance. Who knew that chili was such a good hors d’oeuvre!?

Many thanks Leanne Woodward and Karla Christian for the opportunity to participate as judges at this amazing chili cook-off. We had a great time, and it is always a pleasure to take part in the happenings of this amazing community!

To see the winners, go to Chilly at the Lodge!

A Special Day: Learning and Giving at SHSU

Morgan Robertson

Most students at SHSU face some level of financial insecurity–but, fortunately, our alumni and external partners have proved generous, donating (literally) millions a year toward scholarships. And each year, University Advancement at SHSU brings together scholarship recipients and their donors for a celebratory lunch and this year, Michelle, Olivia and I were honored to attend.

Michelle and Olivia were recipients of the Andrew and Ila Martinez Memorial Scholarship in Public Service, granted by Russell Martinez (Associate Athletic Director and long-time friend to the LEAP Ambassadors) as well as Wayne and Andrea (Martinez) Scott. Olivia and Michelle were fortunate to already know Russell, but the lunch offered them a great opportunity to meet Mr. and Mrs. Scott. And for most of the scholarship recipients, this may be the only way they have a chance to meet and thank the donors.

I was honored to receive the Bertha Kirkley Scholarship from the Sam Houston Memorial Museum. The Museum Director, Derrick Birdsall, was on hand as the donor representative, and I have been fortunate to know Mr. Birdsall for some time.

For me, this scholarship was full circle. Bertha Kirkley, a history professor at SHSU, was instrumental in securing some of the land that now makes up the Sam Houston Memorial Museum, and she is also buried at Oakwood Cemetery–where I’ve done some volunteer work! Interestingly, the Museum grounds was one of the first sites I visited when touring SHSU, and the beauty and history of the Museum and its grounds were instrumental in getting me to SHSU.

There were many familiar faces in attendance that afternoon, and we had the chance to socialize a bit before lunch. Nancy Gaertner graciously joined me for a photo, and it is always nice to see her!

We were delighted to sit near Mac and Leanne Woodward and their scholarship recipient, Casey Bowers, an accounting major.

To kick off the luncheon, Matthew Bethea, Vice President of University Advancement, thanked all those who made such an event possible and reinforced the many reasons that make these relationships so important. With community members, SHSU alumni, and students alike joining forces to represent our university, we are building on top of a worldwide network of individuals dedicated to serving their communities.

President White took the stage and beamed with joy as she addressed the audience of students and donors alike.

With the support of the generous donors, scholarships totaling $6,000,000 were awarded to students in the 2023-2024 academic year. We are grateful we were among those who benefit from the generosity of alumni, faculty, and staff.

Sheri Robinson, SHSU Alum and CFO of Reynolds and Reynolds, also offered remarks, while announcing that her company has pledged $100,000 in scholarships for Bearkats.

As a senior this year, it is my last Scholarship Luncheon (as a recipient!), and I am very grateful for the generosity shown to me, not only in terms of financial donations, but also in terms of mentorship and friendships–not the least of which is Derrick Birdsall.

A Capitol Day in Oklahoma City!

by Olivia Discon

Though it was the last day on our tour of the Southwest, the momentum we had from experiencing incredible hikes, interesting art and history, and a handful of slips and falls, left us feeling pumped! With the onset of the spring semester looming, we were determined to finish the trip strong.

Oklahoma Capitol Building

After visiting the New Mexico Capitol and its hallways full of art, we weren’t sure that we were able to see anything nearly as colorful in Oklahoma.

But as we approached the OK Capitol, we felt right at home–we were greeted by an Allan Houser statue!

Moreover, we stood corrected about the colorfulness of the capitol! The Oklahoma Capitol is both extravagant in its composition and color, with paintings lined on every wall of the building-even the dome!

“The Guardian” graces the top of the Capitol Dome…

…and a replica of the statue is also inside.

And the capitol dome’s interior was beautiful!

Of course, it goes without saying that there were several pieces of Oklahoma history in this building. There is something to be said, however, about the manner in which the history is represented in its art collection, which included a room dedicated almost exclusively to busts of its former governors…

…as well as murals of some of its most impressive native sons.

We had the chance to step into the House and Senate Chambers, both of which had their own themes. The Senate Chamber had its beautiful stained glass ceilings and brown hues, and the House had a serene ambiance, intricately carved floral ceiling tiles, and lots of green. Both, in their own right were simply stunning!

And, although we are bloggers, we don’t often feel like journalists–until today. Following some time in the chambers, we undertook another first: using a phone booth!

Although no longer equipped with phones, it still serves its purpose of giving journalists a quiet space to work or call their editors following eventful days in the state legislature. For us: we would just like to “report” that we had a fantastic time!

For Cinthia, this was her third capitol building, all visited in the past two years. For Olivia, it was her fifth capitol building, all visited in the past two years. These won’t be the last.

Visit Huntsville: Sandra’s Kitchen

Michelle Cardenas

As LEAP Ambassadors we have been on a mission to get to know Huntsville better and have expanded our knowledge by visiting its various businesses and attractions. This month we decided to tackle the one aspect of Huntsville we hadn’t really explored; it’s delicious food. Therefore Olivia, Jessica, Cinthia, Allie and I set forth on a mission to find a delicious restaurant for lunch: Sandra’s Kitchen!

Sandra’s Kitchen definitely surpassed all of our expectations with its delicious Mexican cuisine. Located on 12th Street, Sandra’s Kitchen has proved to be very popular amongst the Huntsville community with its colorful decor, wonderful food, and amiable staff.

As soon as we walked in the door we were greeted with warm welcomes and smiles from all the staff. We were quickly seated and presented with baskets of warm chips and salsa which were gone in a matter of minutes. After reading their delicious menu for a couple of minutes we all finally decided on our main entrees for the afternoon. Jessica and Olivia both had the quesabirria tacos with a side of delicious beans consome for dipping. Allie had the chicken quesadilla and Cinthia the classic fajita burrito. I opted for another classic, the 3 fajita tacos platter, served with a side of beans and rice.

It is safe to say we all enjoyed our meals judging by all the empty plates at the table. We were all extremely satisfied and pleased with our service. This little restaurant proved to have big character and most importantly delicious food! This place is perfect for a nice hot freshly cooked meal that can sometimes be hard to obtain as college students. Its cuisine reminded me a lot of home and its aura is simply spectacular. Sandra’s Kitchen is the perfect place to see some of the delicious and diverse cuisines in Huntsville!

Covering the Ukraine War with Yaroslav Trofimov

By Olivia Discon

In our first week back in class, we felt compelled to start the Spring semester off with our favorite way to learn about the state of global politics, the World Affairs Council of Greater Houston. This evening, we had the pleasure of hearing from Yaroslov Trofimov, a chief foreign affairs correspondent at the Wall Street Journal. Born in Ukraine, Trofimov not only has a seasoned perspective as a journalist, but a personal understanding as a Ukrainian.

Moderated by Ronan O’Malley, the discussion began with this complex duality of Trofimov’s insights on the Ukraine War. As a correspondent on world affairs, Trofimov’s position requires an objective, multifaceted perspective when educating the public. As a Ukrainian, however, he must consider how his family and culture is to survive the present.

The Ukraine War has been a hot-button topic in United States’ politics, mostly concerning whether the U.S. should financially support Ukraine in their efforts to fight off Russia or not. Trofimov’s key argument, shared by the Americans who support Ukraine in their efforts against the Putin regime, is that this war does not exist alone, but is in fact completely representative of democracy everywhere. He closed his response with a quote that deeply resonated with us: “We are fighting this war so you (Americans) don’t have to”.

Though this war has resulted in numerous casualties, Ukrainians still hold onto a fierce hope that they will persist against what appears to be insurmountable odds. “Russia’s propaganda is stronger than Russia’s army”, Trofimov remarked.

While Jessica has just started her last semester at Sam Houston, this was her first time at the Junior League of Houston. This building’s interior design is reminiscent of the Victorian era, and its elegance and vibrancy is mesmerizing to both newcomers and those who have visited previously. We left Houston as we do after most WAC events; with new perspective, great discussion, and a diversified understanding of the world around us.

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