Category: Uncategorized

Written by Kayla Fleming

On Tuesday, September 22, LEAP students had the opportunity to hear renowned historian Dr. Larry Cook speak on the historical insights hidden within Francis B. Carpenter’s personal artifacts. Hosted at the Sam Houston Memorial Museum and presented by Museum Director Derrick Birdsall, the event was deeply enriching, featuring historical artifacts that had never been seen by the public. 

Following an introduction by Director Birdsall, Dr. Cook shared his background in Texas and his path to becoming a full-time historian, author, and political commentator. Drawing from his third book, Brushes with History: Francis B. Carpenter in His Own Words, Dr. Cook was witty, energetic, and engaging.

One of my favorite parts of the evening was learning about Carpenter—an artist most famous for what he called “The Great Painting,” depicting President Lincoln’s first reading of the Emancipation Proclamation—and how his journals are helping historians’ nationwide piece together the past with greater clarity. His writings offer key insights into major historical figures due to his time living in the White House under both President Pierce and President Lincoln. His time in the capital also allowed him to paint prominent senators and political figures, most notably Sam Houston. 

As an SHSU student, I was particularly interested in his notes on Sam Houston. Carpenter recorded that Houston spoke with a noticeable drawl—a detail rarely mentioned in other historical records. Afterward, Director Birdsall revealed to LEAP students that Carpenter also noted how Houston ate nothing but bread and milk while staying in hotels, as the smell of hotel kitchens made him ill. 

Dr. Cook masterfully wove historical details into an entertaining narrative. He was funny, sharp, and deeply insightful regarding who Carpenter was as a person. In closing, Dr. Cook remarked, “We all live in history, but Carpenter was different—he seemed to know it.” 

The Sam Houston Memorial Museum hosted an exceptional event thanks to the staff’s dedication and Dr. Cook’s captivating presentation. His words inspired the audience to brush up on their history and take a closer look at Francis B. Carpenter, who not only “documented history with his paintbrush, but with his pen”—a discipline that remains strikingly relevant in how we record our world today. 

Written by Allie Plunk

For students interested in pursuing a career in law, getting into the legal field can feel like a distant goal. This semester, however, Sam Houston State University’s Pre-Law Society brought that goal a little closer to home with its first-ever Law Firm Fair. The event gave students the chance to meet practicing legal professionals, learn more about different career paths, receive advice on building a competitive resume, and even put themselves forward for potential employment opportunities.

The evening began with our first-ever Law Firm Fair, featuring Rane Riley of Park Law Firm, Karla and Cameron Bush of Rosales & Bush Personal Injury Law Firm, and Victoria Cardenas from Sam Houston’s Student and Legal Mediation Services. Students received the opportunity to talk with practicing Lawyers about everything from what it’s like working in a private firm to tips and tricks to enhance resumes. While some firms’ representatives chose to talk to students one-on-one, others talked to the whole group at once, answering and asking questions beneficial to all the students before accepting resumes for review. There was a sense of excitement in the air as students passed from room to room, making sure to talk to every firm. For some, there was added pressure: a few lucky students might be able to secure a position at one of the firms if their resume fits the criteria they are looking for.

By the end of the evening, students had gained more than just a collection of business cards and resume advice. The Law Firm Fair provided an opportunity to make professional connections, ask questions that can be difficult to answer in a classroom, and get a closer look at what life in the legal profession can actually look like. For students preparing to enter the field, the event was an exciting first step toward turning their interest in law into real-world experience—and hopefully the first of many Law Firm Fairs to come.

Written By Robin Houghton

On September 17, Cameron Bush and LEAP alum Karla Rosales-Bush celebrated the opening of Rosales & Bush Injury Law’s new Huntsville location with a ribbon-cutting hosted alongside the Huntsville Walker County Chamber of Commerce.

Rosales & Bush Injury Law originally opened in Albuquerque, New Mexico, where the firm emphasizes direct attorney involvement and offers services in both English and Spanish. More recently, however, the duo have sought to expand, and they thought of Huntsville, TX, where Karla Rosales attended Sam Houston State University, interned, and served as a LEAP Ambassador. That dream was realized this past week, with a Chamber ribbon cutting.

More than 70 people showed up for the event, which was located, of course, at their new office: the old Gabe Smither home, at 1414 11th Street (next to the Wynne Home).

As an intern for Cameron and Karla, I had the opportunity to help prepare for the event and attend the celebration…

…along with other LEAP Ambassadors, past and present.

The reception began with drinks, cookies, and a beautiful charcuterie board from Southern Shine Catering.

Among the mingling, guests took the time to enter a raffle, with the opportunity to win a $400 prize, while also taking tours of the home and enjoying the Rosales & Bush swag.

It was a wonderful opportunity for people to interact. Janette Stanley from our Citizenship Preparatory Course showed up with flowers; Thomas Leeper attended; numerous students from the Pre-Law Society showed up, adding some youth to the proceedings; many members of Karla’s family drove in from south Texas; and, of course, the Chamber President (Jason Brandolini) and Membership Director (Jonathan Murphy) were on hand.

Sebastian, young though he is, took things in, ever attentive to the goings on.

Following the ceremony, the raffle winner was announced and received a $400 dashcam, a fitting giveaway for a personal injury firm.

It was a meaningful end to an evening filled with community and excitement for the firm’s future in Huntsville.

Many thanks to Karla and Cameron Bush for allowing us to be part of their exciting new adventure.

By the third week of the Center for Law, Engagement, and Politics’ (LEAP) Citizenship Preparatory Course, the atmosphere in the classroom had noticeably changed. Participants and volunteers who had begun the month as strangers were now familiar faces, and conversations around the tables were lively, comfortable, and filled with questions.

The evening began with a review of approximately 30 naturalization questions covered during the first two weeks. Participants revisited the founding of the United States, the Revolutionary War, the Declaration of Independence, and the Constitution. They even reviewed $100 bill, which has some of the topics on the Citizenship Test, most notably Benjamin Franklin and Independence Hall.

They also reviewed the structure of the federal government, including its three branches and the officials who serve in each.

With that foundation reinforced, the class moved into the 1800s—one of the busiest and most consequential periods in American history. The lesson began with the Louisiana Purchase and the War of 1812 before turning to the Civil War and the divisions that led to the conflict.

Abraham Lincoln played a central role in the evening’s discussion. Participants learned about his presidency, the Emancipation Proclamation, and his efforts to preserve the Union. The class also examined the Battle of Gettysburg and the Gettysburg Address, connecting the events of the war to Lincoln’s enduring words about equality, democracy, and national purpose.

The evening concluded with Susan B. Anthony and her leadership in the movement for women’s rights, allowing participants to consider how the meaning of American citizenship continued to expand during the nineteenth century.

As always, SHSU student volunteers helped participants review questions, clarify difficult concepts, and practice their English.

By Week Three, however, those exchanges had become more than study sessions. The robust discussions, shared laughter, and growing familiarity reflected one of the course’s most important accomplishments: bringing together people of different backgrounds around the shared goal of citizenship.

By Brittlyn Jackson

LEAP students were excited to return to the Senior Center after the start of the fall semester! We started our morning with our usual game of Bingo, called by Olivia and Andrea.

I usually help call the games, but this morning, I got to sit back and participate. We were on our final round of regular Bingo, and I had every space covered except one. I26 was the call I needed to win. Olivia started, “I… twenty… six.” BINGO! Nataly and I both won a round of the game!

After Bingo wrapped up, we moved on to our regular schedule of games and activities. Today was especially fun because it was Rock Day, so each senior got their own rock to decorate. Olivia, Andrea, and Mikaela helped everyone with designs and supplies while painting their own rocks. Mikaela even managed to design two! The first was inspired by Piet Mondrian’s Composition, while the other was inspired by herself and appropriately named “the potato.” The best part? There was no paint whatsoever on the “potato” rock.

Although I didn’t get the chance to participate in the rock painting, Nataly and I were given an important task. We first helped sort through the donations that arrived that morning and stocked them into the inventory. Afterward, we were tasked with packing two crisis bags with non-perishable food items. These bags were then given to two individuals in need, giving us a glimpse into the behind-the-scenes work that goes into supporting the seniors in our community.

We ended the morning with lunch: delicious potato soup, a grilled ham and cheese sandwich, and an apple. After spending the morning joking about Mikaela’s potato rock, it was only fitting that our meal featured actual potatoes!

Our visit to the Senior Center was a great reminder that every visit allows us to connect, have fun, and make a difference in our community. Whether we were competing over Bingo, helping decorate rocks, sorting donations, or preparing crisis bags, there was always something new to experience and someone to help. We are all looking forward to our next visit to the Senior Center, and, of course, I’m hoping my Bingo luck follows me into our next visit!

Written By Robin Houghton

LEAP students recently had the opportunity to hear former FBI Special Agent in Charge Christopher Combs share his firsthand experience at the Pentagon during the tragedy of September 11, 2001, as well as reflect on how the field of counterterrorism has evolved in the 25 years since.  

Combs began by taking us back to the morning of September 11. He recalled what it was like to be at the Pentagon shortly after American Airlines Flight 77 crashed into the building. For nearly 15 minutes after the impact, investigators did not know exactly what had happened. Rather than immediately realizing that a commercial airliner had crashed into the Pentagon, they initially believed the building may have been struck by a truck bomb.  

 The uncertainty made an already chaotic situation even more difficult to navigate. At the time, Christopher and his colleagues did not know how many planes had been hijacked or what the attackers intended to do next. When they learned that United Airlines Flight 93 had also been hijacked, their greatest fear was that the plane could be headed toward the Capitol, where Congress was in session. The actions of the passengers aboard Flight 93 ultimately prevented that fear from becoming a reality. 

As the situation began to unfold and authorities gained a clearer picture of the attacks, Christopher emphasized the importance of gathering as much evidence as possible. Once everyone who could safely escape had done so, investigators turned their attention to preserving the scene and collecting evidence that could help piece together what had happened. 

Among the tragedy and uncertainty, Christopher also recalled something more encouraging: the extraordinary teamwork that emerged in the aftermath. He described being inspired by the way thousands of people from the FBI and other government agencies came together with a shared purpose. In a moment defined by fear and confusion, cooperation became one of the most powerful tools available. 

 
Then he opened the floor to questions from the audience, which allowed Christopher to go more in-depth about how much counterterrorism efforts have grown since the attacks. While he stressed that we are not impenetrable, the U.S. has significantly strengthened its ability to identify, monitor, and respond to potential threats. The number of counterintelligence units in the FBI has grown from 2 to 12, and now military branches such as the Air Force are constantly prepared for an attack. 

For LEAP students, hearing these events recounted by someone who experienced them firsthand offered a perspective that cannot be captured in a textbook alone. Christopher’s stories not only provided insight into one of the most consequential moments in American history, but also highlighted how the events of September 11 shaped the future of counterterrorism and the work of those tasked with protecting the country. 

After the event…

…we stopped at J. Alexander’s for some contemporary American food. We tried a wide variety of foods, ranging from Spinach-Artichoke dip, Salmon dip, an Avocado-Tuna dip, a burger, crab cakes, steak, and a couple of salads.

For dessert, we tried a peanut butter pie, carrott cake, and black forest cake. The food was all excellent, and the standouts (we actually voted!) were the avocado tuna dip and the carrot cake.

It was also a great opportunity to catch up with some newcomers to WAC events, specifically Ryan Snow and Victoria Reich, both of whom are doing Moot Court, which also involves 9-11 and its aftermath.

Overall, LEAP students found this to be a night to remember and appreciate how far America has come.