Civic Engagement – Page 35 – Center for Law, Engagement, and Politics

Murder and Other Grave Matters

Morgan Robertson

To stay with our trend of Sunday outings to the theatre, prospective, current and past LEAP students headed south to enjoy the Alley Theatre’s rendering of Agatha Christie’s Murder of Roger Ackroyd. Olivia, Yvette, incoming freshman Katherine Burnett, Alum Victoria and her boyfriend Nick, and I planned on meeting Jessica, and Alums Bianca and Esme prior to the curtains opening.

We were a bit ahead of schedule, so we stopped by the nearby Police Memorial Sculpture, done by Jesus Moroles, an artist with whom we are very familiar.

We had, however, never seen the Memorial. The Memorial is very large and beautiful, done a manner similar to a Mayan Ziggurat.

We were fortunate to run into Officer Golden, who provided information to us about the Memorial and offered us some encouraging words. It was a treat to meet her and tour the Memorial with her.

We then stopped at Post Market, a great lunch venue for a group such as ours with varying levels of culinary tastes. There was a vast range of meal selections amongst the group ranging from mine and Yvette’s South-African coconut curry and chicken bowls, to Professor Yawn’s oysters and Victoria’s Dim Sum. Overall everyone was pleased with their selections!

As we were about to head to the Alley, we received some grave news by email. Due to unforeseen circumstances, the performance of The Murder of Roger Ackroyd was cancelled. There’s nothing like an illness to get in the way of a murder.

While this might be , LEAP does a wonderful job of teaching students to think a few steps ahead. For a group such as ours, it can be rare that we all get to experience something new together. Professor Yawn suggested that we head back towards Huntsville, but make a stop at The National Museum of Funeral History.

The subject of the Museum gave us a bit of apprehension, but upon entering the museum, we were absolutely fascinated with the display and quantity of the exhibits.

We began with the Presidential Funeral exhibition and learned more about how our nation remembers and honors the lives of our Commanders-in-Chiefs.

Katherine enjoyed examining a collection of rare pennies honoring President Lincoln…

…and I was shocked to learn that the museum has an embalming machine that was used on the body of President Truman.

This museum put the “fun” back in funerals with an exhibit on famous funerals throughout entertainment history. From the King of Rock and Roll, Lucille Ball, to Marlon Brando; the museum did a wonderful job of displaying the importance these stars played on influencing our world.

We spent a considerable amount of time exploring the history of Papal funerals. The funeral of Pope John Paul II was one of the largest in history, and devoted much attention to this event. For example, when a Pope passes, his seal ring is smashed with a silver hammer to prevent forgery, and the doors of his apartment are sealed in wax until the final resting of his body is complete.

We also learned about post-mortem photographs, the jazz funerals of NOLA, and variations on the coffin.

Despite our skepticism in the beginning, rest assured that we departed with a newfound knowledge on the importance of funerals. Though our plans for the day were unexpected, it was a satisfactory and intellectually stimulating endeavor nonetheless!

A Journey Tribute, Main Street Style

The Huntsville Main Street Program does a lot of good things for the community, and one of these is its “Summer Music Series.” This summer’s series closed with “ESCAPE,” Houston-based tribute band. And although they are Houston-based, the band’s founder, Bobby Cayton, is actually a Huntsville native, and he seemed–along with everyone else–to enjoy his return to Huntsville.

Whether it was the return of this Huntsville native, or nostalgia for 80s Rock, or a free event on a Saturday night, there was a very large crowd.

Approximately 250 people were on hand, and their enjoyment of the band its music was obvious. The band offered directions–join in chants, wave your arms, come to the front, and the crowd obliged.

It was a special treat for City staff, who not only put on the event but also had a chance to enjoy it. Rebekah Kolb (Main Street Manager) supervised the program, with help from Angela Robinson (Program Coordinator for the Wynne Home). Aron Kulhavy was on hand, along with many music-series mainstays: Lois Stehlik, Darren and Marsie Grant, Derrick Birdsall, and Russell and Tish Humphrey.

Adding to the fun and sense of nostalgia was the band’s frequent trivia interventions, asking the audience to participate on matters such as, “Who was the band’s third drummer?” The audience proved remarkably knowledgeable, and they often, in turn, tried to direct the band, requesting specific songs and encouraging a longer playlist.

The ninety-minute set, though, was just right, a nice end to the summer break and a nice kick-off to the fall semester.

Town Hall with Rep. Pete Sessions

Morgan Robertson

Although Pete Sessions has been in Congress for 20-plus years, he has only represented the Huntsville area for less than a year. In that time, he’s held several events here, and this week, he held a “town hall.” With him were district staff, including Ingrid Cuero, an SHSU student interning in his office. I was also there to take photos, and to catch up on the goings-on in Washington.

Congressman Sessions began by providing updates on legislation everyone should be aware of during session, including healthcare, Medicare, border security and inflation. With all these issues on the table, it’s no surprise there were many folks from the community on hand, many of them with a lot to say.

In addition, it was nice to see many of our local officials on hand, including County Judge, Colt Christian; County Clerk, Leslie Woolley; District Attorney, Will Durham; Mayor Andy Brauninger; City Manager, Aron Kulhavy; Assistant City Manager Sam Masiel.

As a LEAP Ambassador, it was also nice to see many from the University present. We were able to say hi to SHSU’s Chief Strategy Officer, General Glaser; Vice President of University Advancement, Matthew Bethea; Deputy to the President, McCartney Johnson; Executive Assistant, Jennifer Alexander. The University has been very supportive of our internship programs and us individually, giving us a lot to be grateful for.

It’s great to see our University officials, local officials, and congressional representatives working together!

The Center for Law, Engagement, And Politics is non-partisan. The Center does provide internships to elected officials of both parties, and LEAP Ambassadors often attend town-halls, council meetings, or commissioner court meetings to become more informed about their community.

A Piratical Afternoon at the Hobby Center

The LEAP Center promotes education–across all disciplines–while emphasizing the impact education and service has on communities. Nothing makes a community more special than the people who are in it, and over the years, LEAP Ambassadors have developed a community of their own. In that spirit, Ambassadors past and present came together on a Sunday in July to get to know one another, to build community, and to enjoy the Houston Gilbert & Sullivan’s performance of “Pirates of Penzance.”

We all gathered at the POST Market for a quick bite before the performance at the Hobby Center. We had a great chance to get to know one another, converse, and share some of our experiences with LEAP. The alumni had a very welcoming approach and made us feel comfortable, urging us to ask questions. I personally asked questions about everyone’s higher education and career paths. Christian even gave me a striking piece of advice telling me to “take whatever Yawn has to offer, no matter how intimidating it is”. To conclude our time at the POST we headed to the terrace to take a photo with the magnificent Houston skyline.

Continuing our afternoon we made our way to The Hobby Center to enjoy The Pirates of Penzance.

I had never seen an operetta before, and I wasn’t sure what it would be or how to take it. It was far more comedic than I anticipated. This was made clear early on, when it’s clear that the main character, Frederic, was sold indentured into piracy because his hard-of-hearing nursemaid, Ruth, misheard “pilot” for “pirate.”

This led to a farcical plot with numerous appealing songs, the most famous of which is “Modern Major General,” which, in this rendition, incorporated some contemporary elements from King Charles’s recent coronation. As a former LEAP Ambassador said, “a lot of shade was thrown.” The shade, however, was funny, punctuated by the chaos and disorder on stage, which made us all chuckle. Well, it made most of us chuckle, and it made Jessica giggle.

Through the art of theater we all bonded, created many connections and created an amazing memory. The LEAP Center would like to thank Victoria McClendon-Legget, Bianca Saldierna, Christian Bionat, Alejandra Galvan, Bryan Phillips, Justin Beiser, Megan Martin and Quinn Kobrin (and their plus ones!) for joining us us for an enjoyable afternoon!

A Capitol Day–in Georgia!

By Ingrid Cuero

Visiting State Capitols is a bit of a LEAP tradition, combining politics, architecture, history, and–often–art into a single structure! So Jessica Cuevas, Olivia Discon, Morgan Robertson, Michelle Cardenas, and I decided to delve deeper into Georgia’s past by adding our second state capitol building on this trip to our docket. Our journey, led by Morgan, took us through significant historical events, remarkable personalities, and captivating architecture.

One of the striking statues that greeted us during our visit was that of Ellis Gibbs Arnall, a visionary and influential figure in Georgia’s political landscape. His journey began in 1932 when he was elected as a House Member, and he subsequently held roles as Speaker of the House and Attorney General before being elected Governor. Arnall’s time in office was marked by progressive policies and far-reaching reforms. He was instrumental in improving the prison system, abolishing poll taxes, and establishing an employment merit system.

As we wandered through the Capitol, we were captivated by the statue of Juliette Gordon Low, the founder of the Girl Scouts . Juliette’s dream was to empower young girls and women through education, community service, and outdoor activities. Some may say LEAP resembles similar desires out of our organization, but we unfortunately do not have any cookies.

As we explored the corridors adorned with portraits of influential figures, we were fortunate to come across a portrait of former President Jimmy Carter, who also served as Governor of Georgia. It was a flattering portrait.

This encounter held special significance, as we had visited the Jimmy Carter Presidential Library and Museum only a week prior. Born in Plains, Georgia, President Carter’s legacy as a champion of human rights, diplomacy, and humanitarian efforts has earned him immense respect both nationally and internationally. Seeing his portrait in the Capitol added a personal touch to our journey, connecting us to the larger tapestry of Georgia’s history and its global impact.

Our visit to the Georgia State Capitol Building was a journey through time, unraveling the historical significance and architectural splendor of this beautiful structure.

From the design , every aspect of the Capitol bore witness to Georgia’s vibrant past. The educational experience will stay with us, as we thoroughly enjoyed the opportunity to learn more about the state’s remarkable heritage and the individuals who have shaped it.

A Capitol Day in South Carolina!

The Southern Legislative Conference indeed came to an end, but our adventures pressed on! On our way to Atlanta, LEAP Ambassadors took some key stops through South Carolina and Georgia to learn about this region and its historic relevance.

Tour of South Carolina’s Capitol Building

Ingrid Cuero

Before leaving South Carolina altogether, we made sure we stopped in Columbia, the Capital of the state. We approached the capitol grounds to find a full-blown protest occurring–with labor unions objecting the flight of jobs.

This did not stop us from getting some photos of the exterior….

…or from seeing several statues, including Strom Thurmond, who is famously known for conducting the longest filibuster in history: 24 hours and 18 minutes! (He was filibustering to prevent passage of a civil rights bill.)

Passing by South Carolina’s state tree; a lone palmetto on the South end of the structure, we entered the building, which opened to a marvelously decorated interior.

I was immediately taken by the two flags, the U.S. and the South Carolina flag on either side of the entrance.

One of my favorite details of the interior design was the consistent use of the palmetto tree and the state flower, the Yellow Jessamine. It’s all in the details; for example, the lamps and chandeliers emulated the palmetto in their structural composition, and the staircase was engraved with the flower.

John C. Calhoun, another of the State’s notable figures, was commemorated with a statue. Calhoun is the only man to have served as Vice President of the United States for two different presidents. He, like Thurmond, is not much of a figure for modern times, but is a key part of the Palmetto’s State’s history.

We then came across The Battle of Cowpens; one of the first portraits to portray an African American in battle. Painted by William Ranney, the scene depicts a “servant” intervening in battle to save Col. William Washington.

After interning in the Texas Capitol building this past semester, it was very interesting to see the many differences between the TX Capitol and the SC Capitol.

The first, and most obvious difference, is the size. While Texas’ Capitol building is much larger, the interior of South Carolina’s is far more intricate and elegant.

Another key difference is that in South Carolina, both chambers are in session every year, whereas in Texas the legislature convenes every biennium.

Although judges in Texas are elected, in South Carolina judges are selected by the General Assembly.

This was the second state capitol building I had ever been in, so to be able to compare my experiences–especially right after an internship in the TX Capitol–was an insightful opportunity! Meanwhile, we were all able to check off one more capitol out of 50, South Carolina was Michelle’s and Olivia’s favorite Capitol Building of the trip.

A Bingo-Rific Christmas in July with CASA

More than 450 people turned out to advocate for CASA–a worthy organization that advocates on behalf of children in Walker, San Jacinto, and Trinity counties. Once a year, they bring supporters together for their annual “Christmas in July” fundraiser, and this year the result was a sell-out.

The evening began at 5pm, with an hour of mingling, “shopping,” dining, and other festivities. It gave us a chance to catch up with each other and our table mates.

Our tables consisted of: Ken and Nicole Holland, Michelle Spencer and Jessica Twardesky, Judge David Moorman and Christie Moorman, Mac and Leanne Woodward, Mike Yawn and Stephanie Fors, Victoria McClendon-Leggett, Roxana Woychesin, and various LEAP Ambassadors.

In addition, we had a chance to run into community friends. One of the nice aspects of volunteering for different organizations, for example, is that we get to see people we volunteer with elsewhere! We had the opportunity to chat with Dottie, a committed member of the Lion’s Club, who joins us at 6 am to put out flags on major holidays.

We also ran into Nancy Ormsby, who was volunteering, which is no surprise. She and her sister, Lois Stehlik, volunteer everywhere–they are great community assets.

At 6pm, the Bingo commenced. Rob Hipp was on hand to emcee;

CASA board members and advocates volunteered;

…team members from SHSU football served as auction spotters;

…SHSU Volleyball members helped put up tables and chairs at the end; and LEAP Ambassadors were on hand, not only as paying guests, but also to assist with the auction and take photographs.

There were 15 games of Bingo in all, with variations on the game in full force.

Hipp did a good job of moving things along, and about halfway through, we took a “game-break” for a live auction (thank you Kevin McMillian!) of children’s paintings.

Some sold for more than a thousand dollars!

Additional funds were raised through “adoptions,” a silent auction, and a call for donations. Last year, the event raised more than $100,000, a testament to the generosity of the community and to the staff at CASA.

In addition to the funds raised for a good cause, there was a whole lot of fun going on. There were, of course, 15 bingo winners, and there were winners for “Best Dressed,” “Best Christmas-Spirit Costumes,” and “most generous table.”

The winners were typically thrilled, and they were gracious, although the “bingo-offs,” which occur when two or more individuals “bingo” on the same call, could get heated…

But, of course, everyone ended up friends.

People returned to the many stations to meander to, seeing what could be bid on, tables of friendly people to converse with, and a photogenic selfie station.

This led to much fun, as did winning. One of our table members, Michelle Spencer, Director of the Boys and Girls Club of Walker County, won the blackout contest!

As noted, with 15 games of Bingo, there were many winners, and that doesn’t include those who won the raffles, the drawings, or the silent and live auctions. Of course, the biggest winners are those who most need some wins in their lives: the children whose families are caught up in court actions. The funds raised from this event go to support those children, ensuring they have outcomes that provide them with the best chances in life.

And, in a larger sense, everyone who attended the event was a winner in that they were all contributing to a cause that helps our community become stronger–and that’s a big win!

A Palmetto “State Dinner”

By Michelle Cardenas

The South Carolina legislature sure knows how to wrap up a successful conference. On the final day of the SLC, the Council of State Governments–South and the Palmetto State’s Legislature put on a wonderful “State Dinner”–a first for most of the LEAP Ambassadors in attendance.

It was a night of class, elegance, and most importantly, celebration. We gathered at The Gaillard Center, which is home to a beautiful ballroom and a tremendous theater. In our minds, we pretended the theatre was named for our Vice-Provost, Dr. Anne Gaillard, making us feel more at home.

Entering in style, we made our way through the crowds to be seated for dinner.

The dinner began with an opening speech from Senator Thomas Alexander, President of the South Carolina Senate. He thanked everyone in attendance, welcomed us to the beautiful venue, and discussed the plans for the evening, which included an invocation by Senator Jackson and the presentation of colors by the South Carolina Highway Patrol.

One of the louder traditions of the event is the annual Flag Parade, which involves recognition of each state in the southern delegation (15 states), a fun fact or two about each state, and members of that state’s delegation walking (or parading) around the dinner event, often to cheers.

In Texas’s case, there were also some boos, initiated by some unruly Oklahomans (I know, that’s redundant).

The states were introduced in order of their entrance to the Union, which put Oklahoma last. In fact, Oklahoma isn’t really a southern state, but the Midwestern Legislative Council didn’t want them, and the Southern delegation, being hospitable, begrudgingly accepted them as long as they promised to pay their dues on time.

About the time we received our dinner–a wonderful mix of steak, hashed potatoes, broccolini, and a crab salad–we were also introduced to “Kingdom Come,” an A Capella musical group who performed a delightful and interesting mix of music: “Seven Bridges Road,” “The Longest Time,” “Danny Boy,” “Down to the River to Pray,” and “Grand Old Flag.”

We also had a chance to converse with those at our tables, which incoluded lobbyists, lawyers, and elected officials. Since we all wish to do some combination of politics and law, this was fortuitous seating.

The SLC also uses this occasion to award those who have excelled in some way, and it was inspiring to see who was awarded during the 77th conference gathering.

Our dinner came to an end after the last award was presented, but the entertainment was just getting started.

The last surprise prepared for the evening was a concert performed by the band NEEDTOBREATHE. The band opened their performance with the song “The Outsiders,” a country rock tune that got everyone on their feet.

The band performed some of their most famous hits, including one of my personal favorites, “West Texas Wind.”

To bring the evening full circle, they performed their last two songs A Capella, which added a very personal touch to the evening.

The state dinner was a beautiful way to spend our last night in the City of Charleston, an unforgettable city full of southern hospitality, great food, and entertainment.

After dancing and singing our hearts out, we successfully completed the 77th Southern Legislative Conference!

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