Category: Uncategorized

Written by: Jacob Wessels

LEAP was back at it, and this time, the ambassadors were exploring the vast halls of the Museum of Fine Arts, Houston. As we navigated through the galleries, surrounded by countless masterpieces, my attention was drawn to the same three paintings that always seem to capture my imagination.

First, there is Vincent van Gogh’s The Rocks (1888). Looking at it up close, the heavy, swirling paint strokes made the entire landscape feel alive, like you could actually feel the rough texture of the stones and the whipping southern French wind. Also, van Gogh’s painting is an excellent example of Post-Impressionism. Though some artists like Claude Monet dedicated themselves to catching the quick shifts of atmosphere and light, Post-Impressionists such as van Gogh sought a more profound connection through their work. Feeling that the earlier movement remained somewhat on the surface, they instead transformed the canvas into a space for intense personal symbolism and the expression of raw, internal emotional landscapes.

Next, Piet Mondrian’s Composition with Grid #1 (1918) offers a completely different emotional experience. Its clean, interlocking blocks of gray and warm ochre create a sense of deep quiet and absolute order that instantly calms my mind. Finally, that peacefulness gets beautifully shattered by Willem de Kooning’s Untitled V (1975). This massive canvas felt like pure, chaotic energy; the messy slashes of white, red, and yellow were like a sudden explosion of coastal light and water. Together, these three pieces took me on an emotional rollercoaster from restless energy to total calm and back to beautiful chaos.

While we were there, we learned more about artists we were already familiar with, like Picasso and Jesús Moroles. We learned about Cubism, which was co-founded by Picasso: this basically breaks down objects and figures into geometric shapes. We also learned more about Jesús Moroles’ signature style, which balances raw, rugged, untouched stone surfaces right next to immaculately smooth, polished sides.

Beyond the specific works we analyzed, simply walking through the halls allowed for moments of quiet reflection and discovery. It was a reminder that art has the unique power to connect us not only to history and culture but also to our own inner thoughts and emotions. Overall, our trip to the Museum of Fine Arts in Houston was an incredible journey into the past and present, and it’s definitely worth your time if you’re in Houston!

Written by: Robin Houghton

After lunch, the Ambassadors marked the climax of the retreat by visiting the Museum of Fine Arts Houston, home to artwork spanning 5,000 years of history and containing works by notable artists such as Georgia O’Keeffe, Anish Kapoor, and Vincent Van Gogh. Guided by Professor Yawn, we explored the transition from Realism to Modern and Contemporary art, deepening our understanding of the way art developed over time.

As we explored the Contemporary art section of the museum, I found my eyes locked onto The Kiss by Edvard Munch. The vertical lines of the trees seem to box the viewer in with the couple as they embrace, making the intimacy of the moment feel almost overpowering, and that was ultimately what drew me in. I found this piece to be my favorite work in the museum.

The use of light as a medium was explored in many artworks, such as the exhibitions by James Turrell that connect each building in the museum in a series of tunnels. Light, unlike most pieces of art, transforms the entire space it occupies, making it a uniquely immersive medium. This is especially the case in Yayoi Kusama’s Aftermath of Obliteration of Eternity. The moment we stepped inside, it felt like we were one step from falling into an endless void of light. While only lasting a minute, the feeling of awe while inside her exhibition stuck with us for much longer.

After a few group exhibits, I immediately made my way over to the Islamic art collection. For most Americans, the first images of the Middle East that come to mind are ones of conflict and instability; for some, it is the only image they have. Beyond the headlines, the Middle East is abundant in artistic heritage. What intrigued me most was the significance of calligraphy in Islamic culture, specifically in transcribing the Qur’an. In Islam, the depiction of living beings is seen as idolatry, so for the calligrapher, the detail and attention taken when transcribing the Qur’an reflect the beauty of the holy word and are a form of devotion for the artist. People often have the impression that art is drawn, but Islamic calligraphy proves that it can be written as well.

While each Ambassador had their own favorite works, our visit to the Museum of Fine Arts Houston increased our understanding and appreciation of art and made us excited for exhibits to come.

Written by: Isis Hollis

Even though it’s summer, LEAP Ambassadors still find ways to stay engaged! This past weekend, the ambassadors kicked off a fun trip to Houston by enjoying good food and appreciating artwork from an array of talented artists.

Picos, a restaurant known for representing the 7 regions of Mexican cuisine, has been a favorite among LEAP Students so we decided to start there for lunch! The diverse flavors and famous Mole (a traditional Mexican sauce filled with spices, nuts, and sometimes chocolate) appealed to many of our senses. The presentation of the food matched the complexity of taste including the Carne Asada A La Tampiquena, which Jacob noted had a savory but spicy flavor, and the seafood enchiladas that Kayla mentioned had a surprising umami flair. Robin tried the red Mole to which she quickly understood why it is a staple at Picos!

After a fulfilling lunch, we viewed art from both new and familiar faces at the Foltz Gallery! The current exhibition on display is Controlled Collisions featuring the works of Dual, J. Paul Jackson, and John Forse. Allie and I particularly enjoyed the textured, natural feeling of J. Paul Jacksons’ pieces.

The eye-catching exhibitions are not the only thing the Foltz Gallery has to offer, they specialize in supporting Texan artists, many of them local to the Houston area. The ambassadors recognized David Adickes, Charles Pebworth, Lee Jamison, and even got to meet Micheal Roque Collins! For many of us, it was our first time in an art gallery and the experience left us even more excited for the artsy weekend ahead!

Written by Michelle Cardenas

Recently, the LEAP Ambassadors had the opportunity to attend a unique and eye-opening event held in the Kerper Courtroom at Sam Houston State University. The event involved a simulated cross-examinations of “expert witnesses” (Forensic Psychology PhD students in Dr. Mary Conroy’s class) and was led by Dr. Roberts, the Director of Student Legal Mediation Services at SHSU, and members of the Texas Special Prosecution Unit staff.

At first, many of us were intrigued just to be part of something so different from our usual experiences. We expected it to be interesting and informative, but we quickly realized it was much more than that. It was a serious and highly structured simulation that gave us a real look into how psychological expertise is challenged in legal settings.

The purpose of the exercise was to prepare PhD students to serve as expert witnesses in court. Their job was to take the stand and, under direct and cross-examination, clearly explain their thought process, justify their evaluations of competency, and walk through why they chose the specific diagnoses they did based on the case scenarios they were given.

What really stood out was the cross-examination portion. After presenting their initial assessments, the students were then put under pressure by Dr. Roberts. He did not make it easy on them. The questioning became more intense and detailed, often pushing into areas like their professional publications, academic background, and even social media presence. The goal was to realistically simulate how an opposing attorney might attempt to challenge or discredit an expert witness in court.

Even under pressure, most of the students remained composed, answering all the questions with clarity and, perhaps to a slightly lesser extent, confidence. It was impressive to watch how they maintained their professionalism while being challenged so directly.

After everything concluded, the students took time to reflect on the experience. They discussed what they felt they did well, what challenged them, and what they could improve moving forward. That reflection piece really helped tie everything together and showed just how important communication and preparation are when serving as an expert witness.

We also had the chance to hear from Jack Choate from the Special Prosecutions Unit and other experts and audience members, who shared helpful insight and practical advice. His perspective helped connect what we had just seen to real world legal practice and gave the students additional guidance on what to expect in the field.

Overall, the event was incredibly informative and genuinely engaging. It gave us a deeper understanding of the intersection between psychology and law and highlighted how demanding it is to stand as an expert in a courtroom setting. Dr. Roberts and Erin Faseler and her staff at SPU did a great job facilitating the entire experience, leaving all of us with a new appreciation for the level of preparation and skill this kind of work requires.

Written by Jacob Wessels

Between the shuffling of cards and the high-stakes intensity of bingo, the Walker County Senior Center truly serves as an amazing place for seniors to get together and support each other. This week balanced the usual fun and laughter with some very important conversations about safety in the digital age.

Before the presentation, we spent the morning playing bingo with the seniors, which is always one of the highlights of our visits. There is something special about sitting together, sharing laughs, and enjoying the friendly competition. It is always a great experience whenever we get the opportunity to visit the Senior Center, and I especially enjoy hearing perspectives and life experiences from a different generation. Every conversation carries wisdom, humor, and stories that you simply cannot learn anywhere else.

Today, the Senior Center had a guest speaker, Detective Roberts, who stopped by to give both the seniors and LEAP students the “lowdown” on elder fraud. While we like to think of the Senior Center as a safe haven, the world of text messages, emails, and even the traditional mailbox can sometimes harbor unwanted guests.

Detective Roberts explained some of the most common tactics scammers are using today, including the “Urgent” Text messages claiming your bank account has been locked or that a package is “pending delivery,” even when you have not ordered anything. He also warned about the “Phony Check” scam, in which scammers send “refund” checks for more money than expected and then ask victims to wire back the “extra” funds before the check eventually bounces. Another growing threat is the “Digital Imposter,” where AI-generated emails are designed to look exactly like they came from a grandson, family member, or trusted business.

The detective’s biggest piece of advice was very simple “If it feels urgent, it’s probably a scam.”

After the presentation, everyone gathered together for lunch, giving us more time to continue conversations and enjoy one another’s company. Days like this remind us that the Senior Center is more than just a place for activities — it is a community built on connection, learning, and shared experiences.

The Senior Center is a lifeline for many in our community. Through programs like Meals on Wheels, volunteers work every day to alleviate hunger, promote independence, and ensure that no senior in Walker County feels isolated or forgotten. Spending time here reminds us just how important these connections and services truly are, not only for the seniors but for everyone fortunate enough to be part of the experience.

Written by Madison Thurkettle

Pre-Law Society members gathered for our final meeting of the semester, and what we thought would be a typical guest speaker quickly turned into an alumnus reliving his college days and sharing his fascinating career experience. We welcomed Lane Thibodeaux back to SHSU, with Professor Mike Yawn moderating, and for those of us who had just seen him earlier this month at the 10th Court of Appeals at SHSU, we knew we were in for a good discussion.

Instead of a perfectly scripted “how I became a lawyer” story, Thibodeaux gave us a story of his failures and how he succeeded from learning from them. He didn’t start out on a clear path to law school. In fact, he began in animal science here at SHSU before realizing his strengths were in writing, argument, and critical thinking. It wasn’t until taking classes like philosophy and legal philosophy—especially with Professor Jim Carter—that everything clicked. His biggest takeaway? Sometimes one class (or one professor) can completely change your direction.

He also didn’t sugarcoat the realities of law school or the profession. From the cost of law school to the emotional demands of legal work—especially in criminal defense and capital cases—he made it clear that this career is not for the faint of heart. But at the same time, he showed why you should do this, because the work matters.

One of the most interesting parts of the meeting was hearing him break down the difference between trial work and appellate work. Trial law is fast-paced, people-centered, and unpredictable, while appellate work focuses more on writing, research, and analyzing the law itself. For him, appellate work offered something unique: the ability to help shape the law, not just work within it.

Now working with the Public Defender’s Office in Brazos County, Thibodeaux also gave insight into public defense and the importance of providing quality representation for all clients. He even mentioned internship opportunities, which definitely caught the attention of students looking to get involved.

To close out this wonderful meeting, we held our cording ceremony, recognizing one of the largest graduating classes in Pre-Law Society history. We had the pleasure of wishing 34 of our students, including four officers, the best of luck in their future journey, turning May 2026 into a real blessing for everyone.

As the semester comes to an end, we’re excited to see what’s ahead—both for a new executive board and for new members joining the organization. If this meeting showed us anything, it’s that there’s no single path to law, but there’s always something to learn along the way.

Tune in to next semester–we have a game night on September 2, and a “How to Get Into Law School” on September 16.