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Celebrating Generosity at the 25th Annual Scholarship Luncheon

Michelle Cardenas

I recently had the privilege of attending the 25th Annual Face-to-Face Scholarship Luncheon at Sam Houston State University. This special event, which allows donors to meet the students whose lives they’re changing, is always a highlight for me.

This year’s theme, “You Are Worth Your Weight in Gold,” emphasized how truly invaluable our donors are to us. Their support goes beyond financial aid—it opens doors and provides encouragement that carries us forward on our academic journeys.

This year, I once again had the honor of being awarded the Martinez Scholarship, generously funded by the Martinez and Scott families. I shared a table with Russell Martinez, along with Wayne and Andrea Scott, longtime supporters of LEAP who’ve become dear friends over the years. It was wonderful to catch up and share what’s been happening in life since we last saw each other.

Also seated with us was Provost Stephenson, who brought valuable insights to our conversation and deepened my appreciation for the supportive community at SHSU.

The luncheon began with an opening speech from Vice President of University Advancement, Matt Bethea…

…who expressed heartfelt thanks to the donors and benefactors present. He then introduced SHSU President White, who spoke powerfully about the impact of scholarships on our campus.

She highlighted SHSU’s dedication to serving first-generation and non-traditional students—students like myself—who often face financial challenges in pursuing higher education. President White’s words were a reminder of just how much these scholarships matter in helping us build our futures.

Throughout the event, I enjoyed connecting with other supporters and university officials who care deeply about our success. Cinthia Villarreal received the “Bertha Kirkley Endowed Scholarship” and sat with Derrick Birdsall, Director of the Sam Houston Memorial Museum and Republic of Texas Presidential Library.

Chrissy Biello received the “Phyllis and Walter Pinegar Best and Brightest Endowed Scholarship” and she had the privilege to connect with Walt Pinegar himself.

There was a genuine sense of gratitude and community as we engaged with the people who make a real difference in our lives.

Reflecting on this event, I feel profoundly grateful—not only for the financial support I receive but for the belief in my potential and the encouragement that helps me push forward.

Professor Pavelock Discusses the Importance of Giving

As a first-generation college student, I know how much of a difference it makes to have even a bit of financial stress relieved, allowing me to focus fully on my education. The Martinez family and all the donors who support students like me are changing lives in ways that go far beyond monetary assistance.

Thank you to everyone who believes in LEAP’s mission and in the dreams of Sam Houston State students. Your support reminds us that we’re not alone in our journeys, and that means more than words can express.

Falling for West Virginia

Hiking Adventures

Exploring the great outdoors offers a fantastic sense of adventure and discovery, especially when it involves chasing waterfalls. Accordingly, we embarked on a series of hikes to some of West Virginia’s most picturesque trails, each boasting its own unique charm and natural beauty.

Albert Falls, nestled in the formidable forests of West Virginia, captivated us with its tranquil atmosphere and stunning cascades of water. The trail meandered through lush greenery, and despite an amusing mishap where our professor took an unexpected plunge (much to everyone’s amusement), the experience was unforgettable.

Sammy, our trusty hiking companion, added to the camaraderie, making it a day filled with laughter and shared memories. 

At Blackwater Falls State Park, anticipation built as we approached the main attraction: Blackwater Falls–a breathtaking, thundering waterfall framed by rugged cliffs. The name, “Blackwater,” derives from the water, which is darker because of the chemicals in the leaves that populate the trees in the State Park.

We made our way down a boardwalk that leads to several overlooks, offering views of the 57-foot tall waterfall. While there, we had opportunities to (1) race our professor and (2) see a beaver doing its thing. We even saw its home, a dam downstream from the waterfall, prompting Chrissy to say, “It has its own little Fallingwater”!

But our water fall adventures were not complete. Also in Blackwater Falls State Park is Elakala Falls, which provided a more tranquil yet equally captivating adventure. The trail wound through a tranquil forest, leading us to a smaller but still beautiful waterfall. Venturing into the river’s edge, we explored underneath the falls, marveling at the sheer power of nature. The slippery rocks added an element of excitement, reminding us to tread carefully while soaking in the beauty surrounding us.

Before the night ended, and before we left the Park, we also had the opportunity to enjoy the sunset!

Each of our adventures offered a glimpse into the natural wonders of West Virginia, from serene forest trails to dramatic waterfalls to a beautiful sunset. These experiences not only rejuvenated our spirits but also strengthened our bond as adventurers seeking to uncover the beauty of our world, one trail at a time.

Visit Huntsville: Eastham-Thomason Park

By Cinthia Villarreal

With today being International Earth Day, the City Fellows and LEAP Ambassadors decided it was a good time to explore one of the City of Huntsville’s Parks: the Eastham-Thomason Park. But it’s not just Earth Day that makes for a good time to hike, walk, or stroll in Huntsville, any day is a great opportunity to take advantage of the natural hills, beautiful wooded areas, or one of the many hiking trails in the area.

Eastham-Thomason Park first opened in 1993 and now consists of a total of 143 acres, including the donation from the estate of Marguerite Eastham-Thomason, for who the park is named.

As we embarked on our journey, the park welcomed us by displaying a variety of Texas’s beautiful wildflowers, including the our state’s flower, the Bluebonnet.

Throughout our hike, we were able to encounter different ecosystems that the park is home to. We saw an array of plants which went from the colorful wildflowers to prickly cacti, a variation of footprints from the wildlife that reside in the park, and the change of terrain, which at one point, involved us jumping over Town Creek.

On any given day, you might see a photo shoot (as we did)…

…any number of birds or other wildlife…

The Park also has a surprising varieties of trails, which offer new experiences each time you visit, from tight trails covered by low-hanging canopies…

…to wide-open prairies.


Eastham Thomason has many amenities for all City of Huntsville residents and visitors and it quite literally has something for everyone. It includes an incredible dog park for dog owners to take their pet out, an aquatic center for hot summer days, and a playground for kids to play. For athletic enthusiasts, the park also includes a variety of bike and foot trails, a nine-Frisbee golf course, a Basketball court and a Volleyball court. The park has three parking lots and restrooms for the visitor’s convenience.

A map of the Park, including the different trails, parking, restrooms, and more can be found here.

Leaving the trail behind, the City Fellows and LEAP Ambassadors left with a deeper understanding of wildlife, the knowledge of why cities like Huntsville promote and appreciate green spaces, and a much bigger gratitude of our home, the earth.

A Good Friday with Judge Gonzales

By Jessica Cuevas (March 29, 2024)

It was a Good Friday, in every sense of the phrase. The LEAP Center has been very fortunate in being able to host Judge Alberto Gonzalez every Spring semester (with a lot of help from Lt. Col. Yebra) here at Sam Houston State University. Judge Gonzales has served this country in multiple positions from being a lawyer, Judge of the Texas Supreme Court, White House Counsel, the first ever Hispanic Attorney General, and currently the Dean of Belmont Law. Judge Gonzales has an inspiring story, and it is always a pleasure to bring him to campus.

Following an introduction by Cinthia Villarreal, Colonel David Yebra played a video showing highlights of Gonzales’ career. As this video was playing, I flashbacked to my freshman year, when I first met General Gonzales. I remember watching the video and feeling inspired, as his journey reaffirmed my decision to pursue a legal career, with the “hard work and long studying” that he encouraged. This experience came to a full circle as I sat across Judge Gonzales having already been accepted into four law schools, including Belmont Law.

Gonzales discussed the fact that his parents had less than a high school education, but they inspired him to show up, work hard, do the difficult things first, and have faith every step of the way. One of the best pieces of advice he offered was to make sure you took the opportunities afforded you. They may not come along often, and you want to make the most of them.

Students asked many questions, and they were clearly inspired by Judge Gonzales’ discussion. He reminded students that conviction and perseverance are important qualities, and he encouraged students to “Dream as big as you can dream.”

In responding to a question about law school, Judge Gonzales emphasized that a legal education teaches students how to think, analyze, and advocate not only for others but for themselves as well. It presents us with many opportunities and if he were given nine lives, he would pursue a law degree in all nine, that’s how important he believes it to be.

This proved to be inspiring advice, even for those in the group who are not planning to go to law school.

And we had quite the line to sign up for photos with General Gonzales.

We were very grateful that Judge Gonzales and Colonel Yebra agreed to spend their Good Friday afternoon with us!

Snow Canyon State Park

Named for Lorenzo and Erastus Snow–not its precipitation–Snow Canyon is only ten miles from St. George, UT. Because there are three other state parks within 15 miles of St. George, we had a lot of exploring to do, and we didn’t have a lot of time. So on a cold and foggy morning, we ventured out to do some hiking.

After exploring a slot canyon…

…we found our way to some petrified sand dunes, which offered beautiful views of the park. And while I was tromping all over the State Park, crawling through ravines and such, Stephanie found a beautiful view highlighting both the foreground and background.

It is my vote for the best photograph in the exhibit.

San Francisco de Asis: Rancho de Taos

It was our first time in New Mexico, and among the many things that impressed us were the string of missions throughout the state. None of these is as famous as the San Francisco de Asis in Rancho de Taos.

Its unique shape, composed from myriad curved buttresses and sharp angles, has been captured by Georgia O’Keeffe…

and Ansel Adams…

So, it was a little intimidating to try to photograph the San Francisco de Asis Mission, but we made this attempt twice. When we arrived in Rancho de Taos, we ventured into the 8-degree temperatures and attempted some night-time photography. Possibly the best of these was taken by Olivia…

But the next morning we were up again early. Over about an hour of shooting, I captured an angle I was happy with–capturing six crosses, two bell towers, a wreath, some graves, and St. Francis, as well as the marvelous architecture of this impressive shrine.

March 2: A Texas Baptism

by Olivia Discon

March 2 is inherently Texan, marking the day that the region gained its independence from Mexico. Huntsville plays a huge role in Texas history for a multitude of reasons, but the better known reason is that it is the resting place for the first President of Texas, Sam Houston. To celebrate President Houston’s birthday and Texas Independence Day, the City of Huntsville hosts several events to commemorate the rich historic nature and traditions of Texas. This includes a “March” to the grave, an honoring of Sam Houston, and most recently, baptizing non-Texans as a Texan.

For me–an SHSU student, a LEAP Ambassador, a City of Huntsville employee, and a native New Yorker–this was an opportunity not to be missed!

So on Saturday morning, March 2, I joined Mayor Humphrey…

…Judge Christian…

…Matt Bethea, SHSU VP of University Advancement…

…some of Sam Houston’s descendants, and other dignitaries, while also spending time with co-employees at the City of Huntsville.

And, of course, to be baptized–by Mac Woodward- no less! The “howdy” water was from the Sam Houston Memorial Museum and Presidential Library.

In my two years at Sam Houston, Huntsville has become like a second home, and the Huntsville community, a second family. If I had to denounce my “Yankee” status, this was the best way to do it!