Civic Engagement – Page 40 – Center for Law, Engagement, and Politics

Making A Smile Happen: (MAS*H)

Kiara Williams and Ashlyn Parker

This past week the LEAP Ambassadors were happy to help–and recruit more help–KSAM radio with their annual “Make A Smile Happen” holiday gift drive for the community.

This drive encourages the local community to provide food items, pet supplies, cash, or toys, and these, in turn, go to one of six non-profit agencies: Santa’s Helpers, Huntsville Independent School District, Good Shepherd Mission, SAAFE House, YMCA, and the Rita B. Huff Adoption Center. It is timed, of course, with the holidays, in the hopes of being able to provide gifts, food, pet food, or other necessities to those in need, and LEAP was happy to help.

Although the tasks associated with assisting are not difficult, they are time-consuming. The drive spans two days: 6 am-6 pm on Wed, Nov. 30th; and 6 am-3 pm, Thu, Dec. 1, and we try to have four volunteers on hand at any given time. Some of the mornings were cold…

…and we were trying to recruit volunteers during finals, but given the importance of this cause, we were able to find sufficient volunteers and have fun helping others.

Our tasks were manifold:

(1) hold signs marketing the event to the high-traffic area on 11th street;

(2) help donors load and unload donated items from their vehicles;

(3) organize and count the items;

…and (4) come up with creative marketing tools.

And, of course, other duties as assigned.

We were better at some tasks than others.

Along the way, the students had the wonderful opportunity to meet and learn from new people: Tim Johnson, the station’s General Manager;

…radio personalities such as Bryan Reader, Glenn Edwards, and Carlos Zimmerman; and several sponsors and other volunteers.

In all, KSAM did a great job getting the word out, and we were happy to help. Our final count is 429 toys, 1,517 cans of food, $6,979.84, and 865 pounds of pet food.

It was a fun and productive two days, and we would like to thank all the volunteers who came out to help and the sponsors who assisted with overhead. And, of course, major thanks to KSAM who orchestrates this event every year!

24th Annual Jesse H Jones Luncheon

Jessica Cuevas

On October 20^th the World Affairs Council (WAC) of Greater Houston held its 24^th annual Jesse H Jones Luncheon where the Council recognizes several individuals as being global leaders of influence, educators of the year, and one individual is recognized as the international citizen of the year at the Post Oak Hotel.

The Sam Houston High School JROTC program presented the flags, while a local youth choir sang our national anthem.

A global leader of influence is recognized by the WAC as an individual who has helped the City of Houston to increase its status as an international city. This year eighteen business leaders were recognized and awarded:

Brenda Boral (Boral Agency), Lisa Darling (Awty International School), Francisco Gonzalez (Lopez Dorada Foods), Alicia Heiskell (GPS International), Linda Lorelle (Lorelle Media), Arthur Lyons (Indust Labs Inc.), Eduardo Marquez (Sidley Austin LLP), Dr. Marie Moreno (Newcomer Success), Grace Olivares (Univision), Kris Pitta (Prudent Resources), Muhammad Saeed Sheikh (Community Organizer), Fernando Signorini (Dow Chemicals), Hilde Janne Skorpen (Consul General of Norway), Val Thompson (International Focus Magazine), Uwem Ukpong (Amazon Web Services), Caroline Verot Moore (Fifth Third Bank), Patty Williams-Downs (OneGoal), and Vanessa Wyche (Johnson Space Center).

. . . that’s seven more than were recognized in 2021!

Over the summer, the ambassadors nominated Professor Yawn for Educator of the Year and we were extremely pleased (but not at all surprised) to find out that he was selected!

Professor Yawn graciously accepted the award as the “International Professor of the Year.”

This was, in fact, the first-ever awarding of this recognition, and WAC Program Director, Ronan O’Malley, noted that “The council is truly fortunate to have Dr. Yawn so earnestly involved with the council; and we are delighted to have his bright and poised LEAP students take part in our events.”

Professor Yawn has taken students to more than 100 of the WAC events, ranging from tours of the Holocaust Museum, meeting Condi Rice, hearing from author David Brooks, learning from General Stanley McChrystal, to meeting heads of state.

Ms. Lori Lambropoulos, the principal of Energy Institute High School, was selected as K-12 Educator of the Year.

Lastly, Greg Hill, President and Chief Operating Officer of Hess Corporation, was awarded the 2022 International Citizen of the Year for helping Houston become the energy capital of the world.

It wouldn’t be a World Affairs Council event without one of their remarkable speaker sessions, so after Mr. Hill received his award and while we ate the delicious meals we were treated to a dialogue between Mr. Hill and current House Minority Leader U.S. Representative Kevin McCarthy. Among other topics, they discussed our country on the international stage and how they each came to be where they are now.

Before we could finish our desserts (delicious mini cheesecakes with glazed berries on top) we found ourselves being ushered upstairs with the other students for something even more special: a small-group Q&A with Representative McCarthy and Mr. Hill. We all posed for a group photo before settling into our seats. The room was filled with students who had several questions for both speakers. Alas, time did not permit all questions to be asked. However, I thought that one of the best questions was what would be next on the agenda if Republicans took back the house and Rep. McCarthy was selected as Speaker of the House. His response: focus on our economy (property tax and inflation), a parent’s bill of rights, and much more.

Both Rep. McCarthy and Mr. Hill left us with some advice regarding our actions as aspiring leaders. The message from both men was to never give up—if we get knocked down eight times then we should get back up nine times. With the midterm elections right around the corner, they closed by impressing upon us the importance of young people like us getting out and voting.

As a nice extra, we also had a chance to meet Congressman Brady again. He was honored for his 20 years in Congress.

A big thank you and congratulations to the World Affairs Council staff for yet another successful Jesse H. Jones Luncheon! We look forward to attending many more of the Council’s events in the future. Lastly, thank you to Mr. and Mrs. Oyolu who sponsored our table, and to all other sponsors of student tables for allowing us the opportunity to attend this event! Finally, many congratulations to Professor Yawn for being the International Professor of the Year!

Christmas Fair, on the Square!

Morgan Robertson

As the season changes (although the weather may not) there is no better way of celebrating the Christmas spirit than with Main Street’s annual Christmas fair! Main Street Director, and former President of the LEAP Ambassadors, Annel Guadalupe organized the great event and brought Christmas cheer to the community, with the help of the current President of the LEAP Ambassadors and Main Street Intern, Jessica Cuevas.

In the typical Main Street fashion, the Fair decorated University Avenue and Rather Park with hoilday cheer. The City of Huntsville’s Parks Department did a wonderful job of creating a winter wonderland of Rather Park, and Main Street brought great music to the middle of downtown, courtesy of the Sleigh Riders.

Perhaps the best attraction of the day was the beautifully decorated photo-op with Santa! At the Courthouse Gazebo, community members posed with the Christmas icon and whispered items from their Christmas lists.

In addition to family fun, the Christmas fair is a great opportunity to get all your holiday shopping done! Vendors displayed handmade jewelry, expertly carved cutting boards, toys for the littles, and much more.

LEAP Ambassadors, Yvette Mendoza, Ingrid Cuero, and I enjoyed volunteering with Santa and capturing some great photos in the process. We were even fortunate enough to get our own photo with Santa!

The first Saturday in December was truly one to remember. A day full of smiling faces, happy shoppers, and amazing Huntsville spirit!

On behalf of the Ambassadors, thank you to Annel, Jessica, and the City of Huntsville for making this great event possible. Merry Christmas!

Around Town with KSAM

Once a semester, KSAM’s Larry Crippen hosts the LEAP Center for a discussion that airs on “Around Town.” The program focuses on one person or organization, but since LEAP is an engagement organization, the program inevitably covers many aspects of the University and the community.

This semester, for example, we have worked with the Huntsville Police Department, the Walker County Courthouse, the Texas Department of Criminal Justice, the Boys and Girls Club, Main Street Huntsville, the World Affairs Council, the Freshman Leadership Program, Texas Tech University, the City of Huntsville and we’ve attended events hosted by Student Activities, the Alumni Association, the Sam Houston Memorial Museum, the Art Department, the Texas Tribune Festival, and the Popular Culture Association.

And so it was the LEAP Ambassadors, along with their advisor Mike Yawn, met with Crippen in the Holcombe Room for a short discussion of the fall semester and even looking ahead to the spring.

We were able to discuss our first-ever “Beyond Bars” program, our trip to Austin for the Texas Tribune Festival, our trip to New Orleans for a conference, and our normal volunteer work.

It was one of several collaborations with the media this year–undertaken by us and our advisor. And while we may never get accustomed to speaking into a microphone or camera, it was an enjoyable event, in part because we also work with KSAM every fall on their Make A Smile Happen gift drive.

Although the semester isn’t over–we have finals and papers!!!–it’s nice to look back on a semester where we able to accomplish quite a bit!

Tree of Lights 101–Years, that is

For the past 101 years, SHSU has presented an annual tree-lighting ceremony, and for the last 15 or so, the LEAP Ambassadors have been involved.

And for the last five or so, the Pre-Law Society has also been involved. And this year we had delegates from both organizations, including: Amari Gallien, Jacelin Daniel, Yajaira Gutierrez, Emeralda Espinal, and Michelle Cardenas.

It’s one event where many administrators, staff, faculty, students, and organizations come together for a celebration and appreciation. This year’s event was spearheaded by Evie Covarrubias, with help from the entire Student Activities Department.

Organizations sign in around 5pm, and the program officially kicks off at 6pm. And it literally “kicks off,” because following introductions by the SHSU Homecoming King and Queen–Braden Wright and Uri-El Jackson…

the Orange Pride dancers were one of the first acts in the program.

The SHSU Chorale also performed, with their outfits reflecting the unseasonably warm temperature of the evening.

The Student Activities staff did a great job of handing out candles and other illuminating devices, making for an immensely attractive lighting ceremony.

Following the hanging of ornaments–including both the LEAP Ambassadors and the Pre-Law Society–Provost Stephenson did a lively countdown for the tree of lights.

Owing to a brief technical malfunction, the University had the opportunity to experience the countdown excitement twice before seeing the lighting.

The wait was worth it! Following the lighting, the always-gracious Charlie Vienne spoke, announcing the Alumni Association’s awarding of numerous scholarships…

…alumnus David Smith, Director of Good Shepherd Mission, discussed partnerships between the University and community…

…and the crowd was again entertained additional by the Orange Pride dancers.

All of us–the LEAP Ambassadors–are now juniors, and we’ve had an opportunity to get involved with the University traditions. This is one of the best, and we look forward to the year ahead (after, of course, wrapping up finals), and participating in more of SHSU’s traditions, and maybe starting a few of our own!

SHAIPing up for Austin

After months of applying, interviewing, and apartment-hunting, the Austin Internship Program is getting real for nine SHSU students. These nine students, Jessica Cuevas, Morgan Robertson, Yvette Mendoza, Ingrid Cuero, Ashlyn Parker, Jayelynn Bordeaux, Morgan Dawson, Amor Sheffield, and Breanna Demyers, will be beginning their Austin internships one month from today.

To prepare, they received an orientation from two top-notch employees of SHSU: Ms. Julie Schwab and Dean Shani Robinson. With moderation by Intern Director Mike Yawn, Robinson and Schwab discussed tips for navigating office politics, dressing for success, defusing conflict, and making a first impression.

In the latter case, Dean Robinson noted that people’s first impressions are often made in seven seconds, while also complimenting the students on their first impression–students stood up, walked forward, extended their hands, introduced themselves, and welcomed the presenters.

Ms. Schwab brought some swag, including padfolios to help the students on their road to professionalism and a Brene Brown book (“Imperfect”). Professor Yawn also provided students with business cards, a book (“How Important People Act,” by Ambassador Chase Untermeyer), and a business card holder.

With finals still before the students, the meeting was kept short, but the participants lingered as new advice was thought of and new questions were asked. Robinson and Schwab were generously supportive of the students, and despite the short length of the meeting, there was some bonding involved–leaving the students with some additional supporters and a larger professional network.

25 Years: The Bush Presidency in Memory and on Display

Although the semester-end draws near, several inquisitive and energetic students were up for a trip to the George Bush Presidential Library. The trip involved not only a tour through the Museum…

…but also a presentation by Jean Becker (President Bush’s Chief of Staff) and Warren Finch (the Library’s Director). What followed was an educational, informative, and entertaining trip through the past century for Cameron Gill, Ingrid Cuero, Olivia Discon, Kloe Osorio Ortiz, and Chris Fahey, led by Professor Mike Yawn and Stephanie Fors.

With a career as varied as George Bush’s, every student had something to enjoy. He had a large and successful family, including a father who was Senator…

…a son who was President, and another son who was Governor.

Ingrid seemed to like this aspect of the Museum the most, paying extensive attention to the family portraits, letters, and descriptions.

For Chris, a veteran, Bush’s military service was a highlight. Bush signed up for the military at 18, becoming the youngest fighter pilot in the service. His plane, The Avenger, hangs from the ceiling of the Bush School, while below,

…the Museum has artfully arranged artifacts from his time in the military.

One of these artifacts is video footage taken after Bush was shot down over Chichi Jima, and it shows him being rescued at sea by the USS Finback.

Cameron Gill and Olivia Discon seemed to most enjoy the gifts given to President Bush from heads of state across the globe.

Kloe and the group–perhaps Ingrid most of all–enjoyed playing roles in the Oval Office, staging a scene that might been from a national crisis.

Moreover, all of the students seemed to enjoy the learning that takes place when you find out things you didn’t know: Bush played baseball in college; Bush was Director of the CIA; Bush served in Congress; and just visiting, for the first time, a Presidential Library and Museum.

No matter their preferences inside the Museum, all enjoyed the presentation by Warren Finch and Jean Becker, who, after introductions by Max Angerholzer…

…reflected on 25 years of the Bush Presidential Library.

With a personal interplay worthy of a road show, Finch and Becker told stories about opening the Library, special events at the Library, managing content of the Library, and, ultimately, Bush’s passing and his burial on the Library grounds.

Following the event, the students had a chance to get their books signed and to meet with Ms. Becker, who was gracious as always. Indeed, she promised a return trip to SHSU, a prospect that was especially pleasing to Professor Yawn.

With a full day behind them, the students had a busy semester to return to at SHSU. Their trip home reflected some of their plans for finishing out the semester, for Thanksgiving break, and also, perhaps, for future visits to Presidential Libraries.

Covering the Globe with John Brennan, former CIA Director

11/09/2022, Jessica Cuevas

Approximately once a month, LEAP takes a group of students to Houston to attend a World Affairs Council event. For the month of November, this event happened to be a discussion about U.S. Intelligence and National Security with the Fifth Central Intelligence Agency (CIA) Director John Brennan, and Stephen B. Slick, the Director of the Intelligence Studies Project at UT Austin and former CIA Agent. Introducing them was Ambassador David Satterfield, making the group on hand about as knowledgeable on foreign policy as any three people could be.

This combination proved to be as interesting as it sounds, and made even a bit more interesting with the inclusion of several freshmen LEAP participants, including Adisen Massie, Michelle Cardenas, and Andrew Jeon!

Former CIA Director John Brennan with Andrew Jeon, Jessica Cuevas, Adisen Massie, and Michelle Cardenas

Many children grow up wanting to be a federal agent of some sort, and the CIA certainly has an allure. This was the case for former Director Brennan, who applied to the CIA, and when told he would be given an interview, immediately told all of his family about the exciting turn of events! Of course, you can’t be a clandestine agent if everyone knows you are interviewing for the CIA, so he had to turn around and tell everyone that the interview hadn’t worked out. As it turned out, however, the interview went well, and Brennan embarked on an illustrious career.

Serving from 1980-2005, Brennan specialized in Middle Eastern Affairs and counterterrorism and would eventually create a National Counterterrorism Center. Due to his specialization, he had the unique opportunity to serve as an intelligence briefer to Presidents Clinton and Bush (43).

While moderator Steven Slick advertised Brennan’s book, Undaunted: My Fight Against America’s Enemies, at Home and Abroad, he also noted that a title such as “Reform” would have been apt. Not only did Brennan reform the agency, but he helped establish our nation’s policy and response to terrorism, disasters, and cyberattacks.

Brennan was a fitting director for the agency, believing that they should primarily focus on intelligence and not lethal action. He also occasionally angered members of Congress, because he did not seek their recommendations for the types of reforms needed. If he had, he said, he would still be waiting on decisions and consensus.

At almost every opportunity, Brennan spoke of what he and other agents and government figures did as “public service.” And he encouraged the young people in the audience–mostly us–to see public service as valuable and obligatory.

As we’ve come to expect, it was another top-notch speaker and experience put on by the World Affairs Council. Many thanks for the wonderful service provided by WAC.

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