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Reflections from the Capitol: A Day of Service, History, and Perspective in Austin

by Olivia Discon

I recently had the opportunity to visit the Texas Capitol and share a few reflections from my term as student regent. I was invited by the Governor’s Appointments Office to speak to the newly appointed student regents, which was a real honor—and a full-circle moment I didn’t take lightly. I wanted to make the most of the opportunity and my time in Austin.

One of the biggest highlights of the day was being invited to the Governor’s Mansion. After a quick security check by DPS, I had the chance to tour one of the most historic and iconic buildings in Texas. The Greek Revival-style mansion was designed by Abner Cook—who, interestingly, also supervised the construction of the Walls Unit in Huntsville. That connection alone was enough to trigger my compulsive need to tie Sam Houston into everything.

Photo Courtesy of The Office of Governor Greg Abbott

I’ll admit I was a little photo-shy walking through the mansion, but that didn’t stop a few photos from happening. To my surprise, I got to greet Governor Abbott again and take a quick photo with him—inside his house, no less. In that moment, I felt an overwhelming sense of gratitude. Being appointed as a student regent during my undergrad was an incredible opportunity, and I’ve felt supported at every level of my college experience. That support made moments like this possible.

As we made our way through the mansion, we passed through rooms filled with stunning 18th-century furniture—and, of course, nods to Sam Houston in almost every one. They even have a room named after him. Seeing this more glamorous side of Houston’s life, and then comparing it to his final years at the Steamboat House in Huntsville, was oddly moving. He was so committed to his principles that he gave up comfort for conviction. It’s just one of the reasons Huntsville has such a strange charm to me. Somehow, all roads in Texas lead back to it.

Even though the Governor’s Mansion is a historic landmark, it’s still a lived-in space. Just outside the window, we caught a glimpse of the Abbott family’s three golden retrievers playing in the yard. The timing of the visit couldn’t have been better—it was a great reminder of how historic homes can still be part of everyday life, thanks to organizations like the Friends of the Governor’s Mansion.

Photo Courtesy of SHSU LEAP Center, 2016

Later that afternoon, I joined Chris Covo, a former student regent for the Texas State University System, and Luke Shwartz, who was recently appointed student regent for the UT System (congrats again, Luke!). We sat down with Brent Connett for a moderated conversation about the role, what surprised us, and what advice we’d offer.

For me, the biggest takeaway was this: being a good representative can open more doors than you might expect. Investing in your professionalism, doing your research, and showing up prepared—not because you’ve “made it,” but because you’re serious about learning—goes a long way. When you present yourself as someone competent and curious, people take notice. You get to be in the room for real conversations and real opportunities.

After the panel, I stopped by to see my good friend Michelle Cardenas, who was deep in the legislative trenches as session wrapped up. She took a much-needed breather and walked me through the Governor’s Reception Hall. Watching her in action, compared to where we started—back when we walked into the Capitol for the first time with LEAP—was surreal. We’re in completely different places now, but there’s something meaningful about knowing LEAP brought us both here.

Electric Gravy
For dinner, I continued on my sappy tirade by joining Cinthia Villarreal and Michelle Cardenas at an Indian fusion restaurant—Electric Gravy.

It’s been getting a lot of local attention, including a recommendation from former LEAP Ambassador Saara Maknojia.

We started with the curry queso (which was excellent), and then I had the chicken tinga curry, Cinthia got the chicken masala, and Michelle went with the pork vindaloo. All of it was solid—definitely a fun place worth checking out.

Mount Bonnell
To wrap up the day, I visited Mount Bonnell for a great view of Lady Bird Lake. It ended up being the perfect spot to close out a long day—quiet, scenic, and full of the kind of quirky passersby you can only find in Austin.

The sun didn’t set until about 8:30 p.m., but once it started going down, it dropped fast.

I might be wrong, but I think this was the first time I ever intentionally watched a sunset. It was a nice experience!

Where Texas Rests: A Visit to the Texas State Cemetery

by Sarah-Hope Parohl

I visited the Texas State Cemetery in early February for the first time since I was in fourth grade. Growing up in Austin, I visited almost every historical site in town, but before I could absorb and make connections between the material I was learning at the site and the material I learned in classes.

Upon arriving at the Cemetery, I walked through the Visitor’s Center, reading about the lives of some of the folks buried there and seeing memorabilia to highlight them. There is also a short video in the Visitors Center that goes into detail about the history of the Cemetery, the recent restoration projects, and the geography of the grounds. The grounds, divided into sections, are so named to highlight the individual’s achievements. For example, Confederate Field is home to the headstones of Texas Confederate soldiers; Republic Hill is the resting place of Texas Revolutionaries, Justices, Legislators, Governors, and old Texas Legends; while Monument Hill is home to astronauts, District Judges, and Texas State Cemetery Committee members, to name a few.

The most fascinating aspect was, of course, the stories of individuals that the kind lady at the Visitor’s Center (who happened to be from Calgary, Canada!) shared with me. She informed me that the oldest individual buried in the Cemetery is not a Texan but a French explorer estimated to have died in the late 1600s in a shipwreck in the Gulf of Mexico. A delegation from Texas even reached out to French preservationists to see if they would like the remains back in his home country, but they let him rest in Texas. On the highest point of the Cemetery lay an astronaut, Eugene Cernan, the second American to walk in space.

The Texas State Cemetery is not just a collection of headstones; it’s a place of diverse and deeply meaningful memorials. These memorials pay tribute to those who can never return to Texas. There is a monument recognizing those who lost their lives in the 9/11 terrorist attacks in New York and those who traveled to help New York rebuild. The monument contains two steel columns from Ground Zero, serving as a solemn reminder of the tragedy. There is a monument for Texans who have received the Medal of Honor, those who fought in the War of 1812, received a Purple Heart, fought in World War II, or Vietnam. Each of these monuments is a testament to the courage and sacrifice of these individuals. There is a monument that honors the African American legislators who served during the Reconstruction Era, a tribute to their contribution to Texas history.

While learning about others’ history, I was able to take a trip down memory lane. The only time I remember being at the Texas State Cemetery was for a guided tour that my Girl Scout Troop took in 2012. I do not remember much from that trip, but I have always remembered the story of Josiah Wilbarger.

Wilbarger is one of the few to survive scalping after Native Americans ambushed him and some others. His friends, thinking he was dead, rode away, and the only reason Wilbarger survived with an untreated open wound was because blowflies laid eggs in his wound, and once the maggots hatched, they ate away the infection. While he survived, he never truly recovered from his wound, so his wife made him a raccoon skin hat to protect his skull and brain. Wilbarger died over a decade after his scalping when he hit his head on his workbench without wearing the hat his wife made him. I do not remember much from my fourth-grade trip, but I remember the tour guide saying, “This is why wives are always right” after finishing the tale of Josiah Wilbarger. 

The Bizarre Tale of Treaty Oak’s Poisoning in Austin

Makenna McDaniel

They say “Keep Austin Weird” but nothing is more bizarre than the story of Treaty Oak. Back in the 1980s, there was an attempted murder that took place. Of a person? Even worse, it is the perfect specimen ever to exist. Treaty Oak. 

Treaty Oak, an over 500-year-old tree, is a historic site in Austin, Texas. In 1927, the American Forestry Association named Treaty Oak the most perfect specimen in North America. A tree so perfect that people from around the United States have to visit it whenever they come to Austin.\

Pictured: Treaty Oak, 1941. (Courtesy of the Austin Public Library)

In 1989, a ghastly sight was seen: dead grass surrounding Austin’s beloved tree. John Giedraitis, Austin’s first city forester, was hosting several state foresters from across the United States when he came upon this frightening sight. While leading a tour of the multiple parks in Austin, Giedraitis proudly took them to Treaty Oak. Upon first glance, the foresters noticed that something alarming was at the roots of Treaty Oak, dead grass. Indicating a problem, after months of further tree deterioration, Giedraitis decided to open a full investigation to save the tree. Giedraitis took samples and sent them to the lab for a test. The results were quick but did not contain happy news… Treaty Oak was being poisoned!

Pictured: ‘Murder Mystery Grips City: Just Who Would Kill a Tree?’ on the front page of The New York Times, 1989.

The poisoning seemed to him as intentional, but who could do such a thing? That is a question that Giedraitis would not rest until he got to the bottom of. Austinites were not the only ones invested in this criminal case but the world. Magazines and news stations started to cover the story. One day, after hearing about the tragedy, H. Ross Perot, a billionaire based in Texas, reached out and offered to pay for the expenses of the investigation. Giedraitis and his foresters began to call every scientist they knew; the local police department took up the case; it was a city-wide effort. In the meantime, several treatments were given to Treaty Oak to save its life.

John Jones, a new detective in the Austin City Police Department, thought this case was a joke but soon found out it was anything but. The Austin Forestry Service offered a $11,000 reward to anyone who knew the culprit.

The news spread so fast that people from all over the world started to call, claiming to know something. No one had any helpful information about the case until Cindy Blanco came forward. Blanco would often ride to a local methadone clinic with a man named Paul Stedman Cullen. Blanco recalled an odd conversation with Cullen, who admitted his love for his counselor, but the love was unrequited. Cullen performed rituals and believed that killing the largest thing would also kill his passion for his counselor. Jones got a search warrant after an incriminating audio recording. Cullen’s home was soon investigated, and a trial began. He was ultimately found guilty and sentenced to 9 years for criminal mischief. Treaty Oak was safe at last!

Immigrant Stories: Success in Citizenship Preparation

Mike Yawn

Each year, the Center for Law, Engagement, And Politics partners with the Huntsville Public Library, hosting a five-week “Citizenship Preparatory Course” for local documented immigrants. This year, with the help of intern Jose Carreno, Library Literacy Coordinator Mary Kokot, and three unpaid student volunteers, we were able to assist 13 local immigrants on their journey to citizenship.

Many people–even citizens–don’t know what it takes to naturalize, which is one reason Richard Lane and I established this program in 2008. For most immigrants, they have to pay approximately $1,000 for the paperwork, submit extensive records–including travel records for many years–demonstrate that they can read English, demonstrate they can speak and understand English, and also pass a Civics Quiz.

What are some of the questions on the quiz?

  • Name one of the authors of the Federalist Papers.
  • There are fifteen cabinet departments. Name two of them.
  • What is one power of the federal government?
  • What is one right reserved only for citizens?
  • There are four amendments to the US Constitution that involve voting. Describe one of them.
  • Who was President during World War I?

If the immigrants can show they know this information, while also demonstrating a clean criminal record and good moral character (not, for example, an excessive drinker or a former prostitute), then they earn their citizenship.

Over the five weeks of the course, we cover these materials, alternating between boring lectures (led by me) and more hands-on help and translation by the volunteers, which this year, included Nataly Elizondo, Michelle Moya, and Yajaira Gutierrez–with a photography assist by Olivia Discon.

While the volunteers’ bilingual skills are helpful, almost all of the immigrants are required to take the test in English (there is an exception for those who are 55 years old and who have been in the country for 20 years), so we try to avoid extensive communication in Spanish.

This year’s immigrant roster was impressive, with two professors, professional staff from the College of Osteopathic Medicine, two janitorial staff, and eight other local residents. This list included: Dr. Elisa Herrmann, Jose Arroyo, Maria Elena, Junior Jepjio, Alexandra Herrera, Nancy Vasquez, Iris Santos, Veronica Garcia, Dr. Juan Diego Daza, Nancy Martinez, Marisa Pimental, Carmen Cedeno, and Gregoria McGuire. McGuire passed her citizenship test during the course, and she continued to attend the course to work on her writing and learn more about US history and government.

One of the most appealing aspects of the course is the friendships that develop over the five weeks, despite broad differences in background, occupations, and cultures. Among our 13 classmates, for example, eight different countries were represented–including Cameroon, a first for us in the 16th year of leading the course!

Our final class is a “Thanksgiving,” with immigrants and volunteers bringing dishes from their native countries. With a healthy helping of bar-b-que and desserts and drinks from Mexico, Germany, El Salvador, and Brazil.

This Thanksgiving is not just part of what is taught in the class and on the citizenship test, it also reflects the friendships that have formed.

Thus the smiles you see in our photos are genuine. Indeed, even as the class was over, groups lingered, continuing to talk, exchange phone numbers and the like.

And thus it was with much inner warmth that I exited the building for our final class. This warmth was enhanced when Gregoria walked out with me, noting, “You are a good person, and I am grateful to know you.”

This struck me as very generous, and also coincidental, inasmuch as this is how I think of her. And as we parted for our cars, she added, “I think you must have a Mexican heart.”

Heard of G.O.A.T.s

by Olivia Discon

As a LEAP Ambassador, you’re not expected to be an art expert—or even an enthusiast. But after visiting dozens of museums through the program, it’s only natural that some of us become fans… or critics. I’ve now been to 75 museums with LEAP. Before joining, I’d only ever visited one. Among all those experiences, one name has stood out again and again: James Surls. Of those many wonderful educational experiences, James Surls is a name I had come to frequent more than most. 

Surls is something of a household name in LEAP. As a distinguished alum of Sam Houston State University and a prominent figure in Huntsville, his work has served as many students’ first introduction to art—including mine.

So when we heard about the opening reception for the Surls + Locke Museum and the Heard of G.O.A.T.S. exhibit, we knew it was something we couldn’t pass up!

After being shuttled to the 40-acre property, we went to Surls’ studio, which had been transformed into an event hall for the afternoon. Inside, towering sculptures filled the space, and even the live musicians were performing among the artworks on stage.

We spent a long time taking in the ambiance, discussing which pieces were our favorite. Moya and McCaughan were especially drawn to the work of Charmaine Locke, Surls’ wife and an artist in her own right.

Inspired by the natural world, Surls uses both medium and or composition to emulate life. This presents itself in various ways, but he’s most known for his sculptures that resemble flowers or plants, his eye motif, and sometimes, a combination of the two!

His work stands out not just visually, but intellectually.

While I didn’t initially grasp the depth of his pieces, I’ve come to appreciate their layered meanings over time.

As one article (written by my professor) quotes Surls:

“Right then and there, I drank from the well of true belief in something far greater than myself. I got the calling for my life, and I answered the call with a resounding ‘Yes, I will do it.’”

That sense of purpose resonates with me—and with LEAP as a whole. It reminds me of why we serve and why we learn.

We later walked through the Gift from the Bower exhibit, which featured a series of outdoor installations on its final day.

We spent a lot of time here, discussing meaning, appreciating how the pieces interacted with the environment, and—for Chrissy—getting eaten alive by bugs.

I personally enjoyed Sonic Overlook by Patrick Renner…

and Chrissy liked Learning to Fly by Sherry Owens and Art Shirer.

We had the opportunity to meet Surls himself and have him sign photos we took of his work at the Gaertner Performing Arts Center. It was an honor to meet the artist behind the incredible work that so many LEAP students have enjoyed over the years, and it’s an experience I will cherish for a long time. 

Victoria McClendon-Leggett, former LEAP President, also had the opportunity to meet Surls.

As for the Heard of G.O.A.T.S. exhibit itself, the gallery was filled with other famous names. John Alexander…

Lynn Randolph…

and Bill Haveron…

Michelle took a liking to a piece called His and Hers Red Nest by James Drake. She found that the nests looked like angel wings and fittingly posed for a photo upon discovery.

Chrissy, on the other hand, enjoyed a much moodier scene, Siddhartha by Carlos Canul. 

Interestingly enough, the Terry Allen sculpture was on display on the outdoor patio. Titled Bust, the piece depicts a man in a suit that is blowing against an imaginary force of wind. Like all of his pieces, this was thought provoking and visually interesting. It’s no surprise that this bust is courtesy of the Surls + Locke Museum’s collection!

In all, this was an experience that reminds you why LEAP exists—to open minds, spark curiosity, and connect students to opportunities and perspectives they might not have encountered otherwise. It was an incredibly memorable experience, and one I will always be grateful for.

Holmes and Hounds in Houston

by Olivia Discon

A mysterious death. A howling hound. A suspiciously Texan heir. What do all these things have in common? Chaos, comedy, and the incredible Todd Waite in his final bow as Sherlock Holmes at the Alley Theatre.

With only five actors and 36 characters flying in and out of scenes, The Hound of the Baskervilles was a theatrical juggling act, with a few wig, costume, and accent changes. Which is to say: it was impressive, ridiculous, and a lot of fun.

Before diving into the fun, we primed ourselves with a little chaos of our own: lunch at Post Market. In the spirit of the show’s variety, we went for food from all corners: noodles, rice, sushi, and African inspired power bowls— none of which appeared to be from the same restaurant. 

Our group included LEAP friends Bill and Carol Hyman and Wayne and Andrea Scott, along with students Macey Schank, Jacob Wessels, Chrissy Biello, Michelle Moya, Mikaela Baires, and Austin intern Cinthia Villarreal. We showed up full and ready for whatever the Alley threw at us.

The Hound of the Baskervilles follows Sherlock Holmes and Dr. Watson as they investigate the mysterious death of Sir Charles Baskerville and the legend of a supernatural hound that haunts his family’s estate. In this version, five actors take on dozens of characters, adding a fast-paced, comedic twist to the story.

When we saw Todd Waite last month at Murder by the Book, he mentioned how Sherlock Holmes is, frankly, a smart aleck, but one you can’t really get mad at, because he’s always right on the nose. Having heard him talk about the role made seeing him perform it even better. His timing, his wordplay, and even his smallest asides all landed with precision. He clearly knows Sherlock inside and out.

Dylan Godwin was another fan favorite in this show among our group. As the Texan heir to the Baskerville estate (among a dozen other characters), he was constantly shifting personalities and finding ways to distinguish the hilarious traits for both a grumpy street cop and a simple minded Texan—even when they are both in the same scene! 

In all, this was a great experience for the LEAP Center to share with some amazing community friends.