Volunteer – Page 10 – Center for Law, Engagement, and Politics

Meet the Candidates in Walker County

Morgan Robertson

On Tuesday, February 8, 2022, the Walker County Republican Party hosted a Meet and Greet for the upcoming March 1 primary election. Members from the community were able to hear from most of the Candidates who are running.

Along with a few other college students, the LEAP Ambassadors assisted with check in and set up.

And Morgan led with the invocation.

Richard Yawn moderated, and a very large crowd showed up for the event.

Those who are running unopposed gave 1-minute speeches: Criminal District Attorney, Will Durham, County Court-at-law, Tracey Sorensen, County Clerk, Kari Ann French, County Treasurer Amy Klawinsky, County Commissioner Precinct 3, Steve Fisher, Justice of the Peace Precinct 2, Marcus Payne, and Justice of the Peace Precinct 4, Steven Cole.

Criminal DA, Will Durham observed that his goals for his office are to “Seek truth, Pursue Justice, and always be prepared.”

Kari French, County Clerk explained the importance of maintaining the history of the county, and Steve Fisher, Justice of the Peace Precinct 2 expressed his desire to never slow down and to ensure hears everyone. Each candidate made the best use of their time by outlining their time in their current positions, and why they serve Walker County.

Running for County Judge of Walker county are 6 eligible Candidates. Lee Killingsworth, Andy Isbell, Shannon “Shadrack” Riley, Frank Olivares, Colt M. Christian, and Clyde Loll. Each one spoke for the allotted 5 minutes, and briefly explained who they are and what they plan on doing as County Judge. In one capacity or another all the Candidates pledged to keep and or lower taxes (which members of the crowed definitely appreciated).

Leslie Woolley, April Farquhar, and Madeline Loosier are running for District Clerk. The candidates talked a bit about their backgrounds and why they are best suited for the job. Leslie shared more about her background in the Criminal Justice system, April explained more about her job and the drug testing process, and Madeline spoke more about her time as a business owner and her personal experiences.

Three people are running for County Commissioner Precinct 4, Frank Novark, Craig Wieghat, and Branden Decker. Unfortunately, Frank Novark was unable to attend due to a accident in which he broke his hand. Wieghat and Decker both spoke on their passion for the position and why they would be best suited to represent their precinct.

Running for Justice of the Peace Precinct 3 are Mark Holt and Randy Jeffcoat. Holt, the current Justice of the Peace, talked discussed his experiences in the position and his vision of the future. Jeffcoat expressed his desire to approach the position with fresh eyes, and indicated he is excited to run.

Running unopposed for her current position is County Chair Linda McKenzie. Mrs. McKenzie expressed her gratitude for Walker county and its citizens for creating a wonderful community and her desire to continue serving that community.

For us as students, the whole experience was a wonderful foray into civic engagement and what it means to run for local office. The evening offered many memorable scenes and moments…

…and we are grateful for the community members who showed up and those who desire to serve their community.

MLK Day and the Lions Club

It was an early morning for a day off. But if it’s MLK Day, you need flags on the roads! So at around 5:45am, the LEAP Ambassadors awoke to meet the Lions Club of Walker County at the Courthouse. Under the supervision of Casey Spencer, Brian Aldaco, Tom Waddill, and Gary Obannon, we learned what goes into the every-day practice of civic engagement.

Our objectives were to put flags in flag-holes and, if there weren’t flag suitable flag holes, to re-drill the holes so that they could accommodate a flag. We did this over approximately two miles worth of road.

After a while, we got a pretty good head of steam and, through team work, moved pretty quickly.

In all, it took us about an hour, including both 11th street and Sam Houston Avenue.

The Lions Club does this community service for 13 major holidays, with MLK Day being the first of the year. It was a great chance for us to learn more about the Lions Club, meet some great new people…

…and get in some team building early in the semester.

Pre-Law Society First Meeting

By: Kiarra Flores

First Meeting

Despite the pandemic, we were able to kick off our first Pre-Law Society meeting of the Fall 2020 semester. Our advisor, Mike Yawn introduced the PLS to all the new members and explained our agenda for the evening. For the first meeting, we had the great honor to have a Zoom meeting with two special women, Alicia Cramer and Shawn Adams, to discuss law school and answer any questions we may have in regard to admissions.

SHSU, LEAP Center, Center for Law Engagement And Politics, Pre-Law Society, PLS, Kattorneys, South Texas College of Law, STCL, TTU Law, Texas Tech Law

To begin, we first had Shawn Adams speak. She is not only an attorney, but she is also the Assistant Director for Recruitment at Texas Tech Law. She discussed how Texas Tech has a ‘dual degree program’ where a student can finish their first year of school, then start their Masters. They can complete law school in three years, receiving both Juris Doctor (JD) and an MBA. She also mentions how you can be a “student attorney” where you can work under a licensed attorney and have clients and go to court, which I felt like caught a lot of members’ attention!

Dean Alicia Cramer was next. Cramer is the Assistant Dean of Admissions and South Texas College of Law. To showcase the school, she mentioned how they were recently nationally ranked for their Moot Court and Mock Trial teams. As an assistant dean, she emphasized the importance of being involved in different programs and clinics the school offers. She also encouraged students to begin building relationships with people who may write letter of recommendations.

Following the presentations, the guest speakers took questions.

Two questions that stuck out to me were:

Q: Do I need to apply separately for scholarships, or will I receive automatic consideration through the admissions process?

A: You can do both. Depending on your situation, you can apply for financial aid, but also you can earn money depending on your GPA and LSAT scores, so study!

Q: I was another major for two years and it tanked my GPA. Even with the A’s and B’s I have been making in my Pre-Law major, my GPA hasn’t touched a 3.0 yet, does that ruin my chance to be accepted?

A: No, if your GPA isn’t the best and your LSAT scores are subpar, your personal statement will really dictate your acceptance or not. You want a great personal statement that not only describes you as a person but also explains why your grades were not the best. You need to stick out during the admissions process and show the board why you deserve to attend their law school.

After the Q&A portion of our meeting, we applauded and thanked them for their time and insight on the navigation of law admissions. To end our meeting was officer elections. The group had eight members running for positions of VP of Finances, VP of Membership, Secretary and Historian. With time running short, members’ speeches were short and to the point. For President, we have appointed Quinn Kobrin (senior), VP of Finances, Leslie Canchola-Rangel (junior);

VP Membership, Ruona Odharo;

Secretary, Aisha Adeniyi-Adeoya (junior);

and Historian, Kiarra Flores (senior).

Feeding the Hungry and Promoting the Arts: Empty Bowls 2020

Some 14 years ago, a LEAP intern worked on Montgomery County’s first-ever “Empty Bowls” fundraiser. The next year, she worked with the City of Huntsville to implement the program locally. This year, the Wynne Home once again coordinated and hosted this wonderful program, raising much-needed money for “Meals on Wheels.”

The program is innovative. The Wynne Home recruits local artists (thank you Lauren Clay!) to lead ceramics classes–an open ceramic studio–to allow local citizens to create bowls. The Wynne Home also finds a sponsor for soup (thank you HEB!).

These two processes came together on February 24, when soup lunches were sold at the Wynne Home. Patrons who purchased the soup were then allowed to choose from a selection of “Empty Bowls.”

SHSU, LEAP Center, Center for Law Engagement And Politics, LEAP Ambassadors, Wynne Home Arts Center, Meals on Wheels, Empty Bowls

The proceeds from the lunch, in turn, were donated to “Meals on Wheels,” a Senior Center program that helps feed the hungry in Walker and Madison counties.

SHSU, LEAP Center, Center for Law Engagement And Politics, LEAP Ambassadors, Wynne Home Arts Center, Meals on Wheels, Empty Bowls

In one program, the Wynne Home Arts Center is able to promote the Arts and raise money for local charities.

This year, more than 200 people attended the luncheon, and more than $2,500 was raised for Meals on Wheels.

Many thanks to the artists who led the open studios, the Empty Bowls’s sponsor, and the many volunteers (including LEAP Ambassadors) who assisted with the program.

SHSU, LEAP Center, Center for Law Engagement And Politics, LEAP Ambassadors, Wynne Home Arts Center, Meals on Wheels, Empty Bowls

Reagan Dinner: Version 2020

by Esmeralda Mata

For at least the 12th year, the LEAP Ambassadors were on hand to assist the Republican Party host the annual Reagan Dinner. This year, GOP Chair Linda McKenzie arranged to have the dinner at the beautiful Elkins Lake Clubhouse and managed to have Texas Lieutenant Governor Dan Patrick serve as the keynote speaker.

Nearly 220 local Republicans and elected officials attended the dinner, making it one of the more successful of the party’s dinners.

SHSU, LEAP Center, LEAP Ambassadors, Center for Law Engagement And Politics, Walker County Republican Party, Dan Patrick, Ernest Bailes, Charles Schwertner

For our part, we assisted signing in guests and seating. It was a great opportunity for us, because not only were we able to help, but we also had a chance to meet new people and say hi to community people and elected officials we hadn’t seen in a while.

SHSU, LEAP Center, LEAP Ambassadors, Center for Law Engagement And Politics, Walker County Republican Party, Dan Patrick, Ernest Bailes, Charles Schwertner

Guests arrived at 6pm for a reception and cash bar hosted by the Walker County Republican Women, and when Lt. Governor Patrick arrived, he enthusiastically took photos with guests and made conversation with the many grateful guests.

At seven, County Chair Linda McKenzie welcomed guests and introduced the elected officials in attendance, including Judge Matt Johnson, District Judge Don Kraemer, District Judge Hal Ridley, County Court-at-Law Judge Tracy Sorensen, and many more. Shortly after the brief introductions, Carol Skidmore, WCRW President, took the podium to present the invocation, followed by the Pledge of Allegiance led by Judge Kraemer.

SHSU, LEAP Center, LEAP Ambassadors, Center for Law Engagement And Politics, Walker County Republican Party, Dan Patrick, Ernest Bailes, Charles Schwertner, Judge Don Kramer

Guests enjoyed their elegant meal with enjoyable conversations around the table.

SHSU, LEAP Center, LEAP Ambassadors, Center for Law Engagement And Politics, Walker County Republican Party, Dan Patrick, Ernest Bailes, Charles Schwertner

The evening’s dinner included chicken cordon bleu served with mashed potatoes, asparagus, and bread.