Category: Fun

Staying out of “Legal Jeopardy” While Having Fun

On January 21, Student Legal & Mediation Services, the Pre-Law Society, and the LEAP Center hosted “Legal Jeopardy” in the LSC, bringing together students for an evening of learning, connection, and friendly competition.

The evening began at 6pm, with check-in and networking while students enjoyed pizza and dessert. Upon arrival, each attendee was assigned to one of four teams, each led by our team leaders: Brittlyn Jackson (Team 1), Jacob Wessels and Allie Plunk (Team 2), Elizabeth Werts and Abigail Wilmot (Team 3), and Isis Hollis and Robin Houghton (Team 4), while our logistical managers, IT Directors, and Sergeant-at-Arms prepared for the evening.

With games ranging from spoon races (with crafted spoons) to rock-paper-scissors to “Hot Topics” and more, the students engaged various levels of fun and sportsmanship.

The team-building brought people together, while also providing cues to the teams who they did–and didn’t–want to represent them in the official jeopardy contests.

Jeopardy officially began at 7pm, with Logistics Manager Olivia McCaughan introducing our host, Dr. Gene Roberts, our IT Director Kayla Fleming, and our Sergeant at Arms, Matthew Bocanegra and, most important, explaining the rules of the game.

The first round of Jeopardy featured categories such as:

  • Famous Speech and Expression Supreme Court Cases
  • Famous Supreme Court Criminal Cases
  • Legal Terminology
  • Supreme Court Chief Justices
  • Legal Thrillers (Film)
  • The US Constitution

With each team having a designated spokesperson and buzzer pusher, the games commenced!

The room soon erupted in cheers, groans, and laughter, as teams deliberated and tried to be the first on the buzzers (which could measure differences up to a millisecond).

Ultimately, Team One came out the winner, armed with the talent of Brittlyn Jackson, Makenna McDaniel, Luke Hempfling, and Eduardo Maia, and they were definitely among the most animated. They won Orange Lululemon belt bags as prizes, courtesy of Student Legal & Mediation Services.

A second round, purely for fun, ensued, with lighter categories such as SHSU, Pop Culture Mashup, State Capitals, Things Pre-Law Students Should Know, and Things You Should Have Learned in High School. For this round, the entire group was able to participate, and this time, Team Four won.

With almost seventy people in attendance at this event, we needed a lot of help. Makenna McDaniel and Brianne Barclay did a great job checking people in; PLS Treasurer, Nataly Elizondo, accepted dues for the organization–bringing in some new members in the process; and Jackie Balbuena took video for some follow-up marketing.

The event highlighted the contributions that the Pre-Law Society, the LEAP Center, and the Student & Legal Mediation Services make across campus, while also bringing people together for a night of a lot of fun and a little bit of learning, too.

LEAPing and (Para)Sailing

by Michelle Moya

Our Northeast educational journey has taken us through historic cities, cultural landmarks, and architectural marvels that shaped American history. From exploring colonial sites to examining Gilded Age opulence, each stop has offered new perspectives on our nation’s past. Today’s adventure added a literal new perspective – one that Olivia had been dreading for days – parasailing!

After spending the entire morning exploring Newport’s famous mansions and learning about Gilded Age architecture, we found ourselves at the dock with Island Style Parasail. This shift from ground-level historical immersion to aerial perspective perfectly embodied the dynamic approach of our educational journey. 

For those unfamiliar with the activity, parasailing involves being towed behind a boat while attached to a parachute, allowing participants to soar hundreds of feet above the water. This specific activity gave us the opportunity to fly above the beautiful waters of Narragansett Bay and view the rugged coastline of Newport, Rhode Island, all while gliding hundreds of feet behind a parasail boat.

Boarding the boat, I felt calm and excited, however Olivia’s apprehension was palpable—and it quickly influenced my own nerves. The crew fitted us with life jackets and briefly explained the landing mechanism we’d rely on upon landing from 1,000 feet above the bay. While the morning’s mansion tours had been comfortable and familiar, this was unquestionably a new kind of challenge.

The launch sequence proceeded smoothly yet rapidly. Within moments of sitting on the boat deck, we found ourselves ascending steadily above Narragansett Bay. The coastal panorama from that elevation was breathtaking, though admittedly intimidating. An amusing detail was our parachute’s distinctive smiley face design, which seemed to grin encouragingly as we soared through the air.

At first, we both gripped the connecting rope tightly—accompanied by many nervous screams—prioritizing safety over sightseeing. The boat looked surprisingly small below us, and the wind moving us in every direction made it all the more terrifying. After finally acclimating to the sensation of floating at such altitude, we finally built the courage to adjust the GoPro and record some footage.

The experience was both exhilarating and fun. The wind carried us above the water while we took in panoramic views of the Rhode Island coastline. From up there, you could see the beautiful homes, the Newport Bridge, and the famous Ocean Drive winding along the shore. The gentle swaying motion created an almost meditative experience, despite the initial adrenaline rush of being suspended so high above the bay.

When it came time to come down, we were both clearly relieved but proud. At the end of our flight, we took a picture on the boat as we were making our way back to shore, both of us happy that we had tried something new and pushed through our initial hesitations.

This parasailing adventure exemplified what makes LEAP so effective – combining traditional education with experiences that challenge us to see familiar places from entirely new perspectives. Sometimes the best learning happens when you’re floating 1,000 feet above your comfort zone!