In addition to providing some fun football action, the LEAP Center’s 7th Annual Charity Football game also provides half-time activities for the young (at heart), brings town and gown together, gives current Ambassadors a chance to connect or re-connect with LEAP alumni, and old friends to reunite.
Of course, we had the whole obligatory football game to play…
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But once that rigamarole was out of the way, we had a real chance to unite for good causes. Actually, the uniting began much earlier. The practices began in January, and served not only to improve our meager football skills, but also to build some bonds–bridging social capital, as Political Scientist Robert Putnam would put it. The lineups include Democrats and Republicans, students, SHSU alumni, and community leaders, as well as two of SHSU’s staff. After 10 practices, people who otherwise would never have even met, now are are friends.
This disparate group then sets out to raise money. They do this by donating $100 (students) or $150 (non-students). This year, we were able to raise $1,700 just starting with the players. Our goal is to then bring the community in to raise much more. This year, that worked well, with some impressive community support.
Paul Olle Photography (Drone)
Sometimes that community support pays off–even for the community members. Judge Mike Countz, for example, won the raffle, winning a football signed by the SHSU football team.
The raffle, though, is small potatoes compared to the rest of the half-time activities. Everyone loves the wheelbarrow race…
Although some loved it more than others…
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A smaller hit was the spoon races, which drew limited participation.
…and necessitated a ridiculous amount of coaching.
The sack race was a bigger hit…
…and much more competitive!
Of course, what would a fundraiser for the YMCA (and John Holcombe Scholarship) be without the YMCA Dance?
In addition to bringing different people together, the game also brings out people who have never before danced…
…but it was a lot of fun…
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…And we even had a little Russian dancing going on.
This dance sequence is even more impressive when you realize that some of these people are Republicans (see Ryan, far right, above)!
Thomas Haase was johnny-on-the-spot, and he got a video of the whole affair…
Of course, as noted above, the real reason for the get together was to raise funds for local causes…the YMCA…
…and John Holcombe Scholarship…
At the time we made the check order, we had raised $6,000. By the end of the game, we raised $6,500. In the seven years we’ve held this game, we’ve raised a total of $26,500.
Some of the people who participated in the game in earlier years were back on hand. Blake Roach and his girlfriend, Jaclyn Coles.
…and Justin Beiser and Annel Gonzales…
…and some new faces, such as Alvin Casimere…
…and Kaden Leaf!
Who knew raising money and having Democrats and Republicans together could be so much fun?
The bi-partisanship spirit started with the fundraising and the weekly practices. It continued with donations from both the Democratic and Republican parties of Walker County. Even the coin for the coin toss featured George Washington, the father of the country, the man who pre-dates either party. Officiating over the coin toss was former Mayor Mac Woodward, a man who won six elections on a non-partisan ballot.
It was a stage set for both Republicans and Democrats to have fun while raising funds for worthy causes: the Huntsville YMCA and the John Holcombe Scholarship.
There was no Goodyear Blimp on hand, but there was a drone. Handling official photography duties, Paul Olle brought out his drone to get some “over-the-top” photographs–literally. It was Blue and Orange together.
Pre-Game Photograph (by Paul Olle)
That togetherness extended even to prayer.
Of course with several players in their forties, prayer was needed.
And, with that, it was kickoff time. It was a game that emphasized offense, and almost every player got into the act, although at first it seemed like it might turn into the Ryan Show…
Paul Olle Photograph
…or the Laken Show…
After a series of catches and pursuits, the two started becoming aggressive, with Ryan grabbing shorts…
Paul Olle Photography
…Laken grabbing shirts…
…and, when Ryan couldn’t get close enough to grab, he just yelled…
The big boys soon got into the act, with many long passes ensuing.
Joey had some particularly nice catches…
…and he let people know…
Paul Olle Photograph
Taylor Martin got into the act, using his size and speed…
Paul Olle Photography
… and leaping ability…
…to help the Orange team.
It goes without saying that Austin was all over the field…
Paul Olle Photography
Often with no one else around him!
Or, if someone was around him, they were usually behind him.
Paul Olle Photography
As a student, Cameron was known for his steady, consistent, and reliable ways. He’s much the same on the football field, and he was occasionally charged with covering Austin or, if not Austin, then Joey. But at least once they were trying to cover him…
But with a total of 22 touchdowns scored, there was plenty of offensive action to go around. Margaret caught a few balls…
..and Megan caught about as many passes as anyone else on game day.
And even had a breakaway run.
Russell Martinez got his share of the action.
Paul Olle Photography
…despite opponents using unfair tactics to contain him.
But there is no containing Russell.
Paul Olle Photography
Kaitlyn had some action, too…
…although not always with positive results.
But she kept her game face on!
Paul Olle Photography
She needed her game face, because she was covering Alex Galvan!
Galvan caught her share in the first half…
But it was the second half when she turned it on. Indeed, it was the last two minutes of the game that proved most exciting.
Down 10-8, the Orange team battled back, with Alex scoring on a long run.
Then, with a 10-9 lead, the Blue team had the ball with less than 2 minutes. A score would put it out of reach. A sustained drive would run out the clock. But a fumble, recovered by Ryan…
…kept the crowd on the edge of their seats…
…and the fumble recovery led to a touchdown by Taylor and, like that, Orange tied the game.
With only 30 seconds left, Blue failed to score, pushing the game to overtime. Our overtime was improvised–no plans had ever been much for such a contingency, and it had never happened.
The City Planner suggested two possessions, each starting at the 50.
With that agreed, Orange got the ball first. And in the only possession allowed Orange in its overtime, Alex Galvan catches a touchdown. It was her first over-the-shoulder catch of the year.
…and it was a patented Galvan Finger-Tip grab.
Paul Olle Photography
For perhaps the first time in the game, Blue was behind. They had one possession to tie the game, and it ended as suddenly as it began, with a bomb to Joey Johnson for touchdown.
It was a fun game, one that designed to bring people together. Perhaps it didn’t bring as many people out as we would have liked, but it succeeded in raising funds for the Holcombe Scholarship…
Paul Olle Photography
…and the YMCA…
Paul Olle Photography
…and in uniting folks with different backgrounds to common cause….
If it’s spring, it’s time for the 10th Court of Appeals to hear four cases at Sam Houston State University. This year’s cases proved remarkably diverse, and students received a live, up-close education on the application of the law.
The 10th Court of Appeals first came to SHSU six years ago, in 2011. It was the brain-child of Chief Justice Tom Gray, and his colleagues Justice Al Scoggins and Justice Rex Davis enthusiastically agreed to come to Sam Houston. Professor Mike Yawn and the group “formerly known as the Junior Fellows” soon got into the act, and there has been much legal fun since then.
The education isn’t only watching the cases in action; it’s also seeing the courtroom procedure unfold. From the “All Rise, Oyez, Oyez, Oyez”
…to Justice Gray’s explanations of courtroom decorum…
…to the attorneys, who are able (only in this setting) to explain the facts of the case to us…
…to watching the attorneys’ behavior outside the courtroom…
..the education is unique–and that’s before we even talk about the cases!
Speaking of which, this year’s cases ran the legal gamut. The 10am session (Capstone v. IES Contracting) actually involved SHSU, with the University believing that construction of Sam Houston Village was faulty. This was a complex case, one involving multiple subcontractors, mergers, and much elapsed time.
The 11am session (Annette Knopf and Stanley Gray v. William and Karen Gray) involved a disputed will, which had been written by Ms. Vada Allen. She left property to her son, but confusion resulted from her will. In particular, there was a question as to whether some of the property was a life estate–that is, given to her son for his lifetime–or whether he had outright ownership. This was not only an interesting legal situation, but also a good life lesson about the difficulty of writing your own will. (Interestingly, this case involved the legal firm for which Kaitlyn Tyra works as a courier.)
As has become our custom, the Justices broke for lunch, and we were able to join them, along with other legal professionals in the community. Just before we ate, Justice Tom Gray presented Professor Yawn with a signed copy of Supreme Court Justice Clarence Thomas’s autobiography, a nice touch to a nice day.
Also nice was the lunch conversation…
…which touched on school issues, our hopefulness about our legal careers, and the cases of the day.
Following lunch, we again worked the doors for the two most interesting cases. The 1pm (in re Troy Paul) session involved Troy Paul and Destiny Spillers, who may or may not have been informally married. They weren’t formally married, but Destiny argued that their relationship constituted a “common-law” marriage, which entitled her to spousal support–support, that is, beyond the $250,000 Mercedez that she was bought by Mr. Paul. The case involves not only the question of support, but also of legal fees to the tune of $425,000.
The final case of the day (Noe Cosino v. The State of TX) involved the cutting-edge issue of a blood draw in the absence of a warrant. The courts have previously held that such draws could be made in “exigent circumstance,” but more recent decisions have blurred the lines.
Following the cases, we spent a little more time with the Justices, taking photos and asking them to sign the case descriptions.
It was a fun morning and afternoon, a wonderful in-depth education for the LEAP Ambassadors, and for more than 200 SHSU students, a nice exposure to our legal system.
Although it was the first day of Spring Break, LEAP ambassadors were happy to attend 2016 League of United Latin American Citizens (LULAC) Community Amigo Award Scholarship Banquet. Upon arrival, Brian and I were welcomed by John Escobedo, the President of Huntsville LULAC Council.
As we proceeded to take our seats, we found Former Mayor Mac Woodward, Mrs. Woodward, County Judge Pierce, and his wife Mrs. Pierce, and we were invited to join their table.
The program began with the performance of ballet folklorico, the local dance group directed by Anita Escobedo.
While we enjoyed dinner, Mr. Escobedo introduced the special guests of the night. Among those guests were Mayor Brauninger, Former Mayor Woodward, Council member Montgomery, County Judge Pierce, and Attorney Robert Cates, who was also the keynote speaker for the night.
Mr. Cates is an immigration attorney in Conroe who recently graduated from Baylor Law School. During his presentation he focused on educating the audience in the recent immigration reform by President Obama.
The presentation was followed by the awards presentation. We were excited to accept the Educator of the Year Award, which was given to the LEAP Center, largely for its annual “Citizenship Preparatory Course”–which, incidentally, begins tonight!
We were also happy to hear that Former Mayor Woodward received the Citizen of the Year Award(his second this year!)…
…and The Walker County Federal Credit Union received Business of the Year Award. In all it was a great event that allowed us to participate with another great organization!
One of our favorite annual events is the Easter Egg Hunt at the Wynne Home Arts Center. It involves games, face-painting, and a picnic lunch of hot dogs, which are a whole lot of fun for local families.
This year, more than 200 people came out to the Wynne Home, a number that proved a bit overwhelming to us, especially when they arrived early. Planned by LEAP Ambassador and Wynne Home Intern Beatriz Martinez, we had Musical Chairs…
…Sack Races…
…an Egg-Toss game, face painting (thank-you Lauren Clay!), sidewalk chalk…
…and coloring. We had a great group of Friends of the Wynne on hand, including Patti Davis, Mary McCarley, Wes Boyd, Susan Sanders, Maureen McIntyre, and Buddy Aber. Political Science major Sadie McLaughlin was also nice enough to stop by and help, doing at least five separate tasks over the course of the event!
As much as there was to do, the kids wanted more. Accordingly, we incorporated photos with the Easter Bunny…
…and numerous activities with Sammy Bearkat…
…who occasionally stole the spotlight from the Easter Bunny, even on Easter…
As exciting as those activities were, the kids came to the Wynne Home to hunt for eggs, and they let that be known!
At noon, we kicked off the Easter Egg hunt–more than 1,000 eggs, strewn about the Wynne Home Arts Center. You may have heard stories about shoppers getting into fights on black Friday, the day after Thanksgiving. Those folks have nothing on kids at the beginning of an Easter Egg Hunt.
The hunt lasted approximately 9 minutes, with the kids finding them quickly.
Thankfully, no kids were actually trampled on by other kids in the dash for eggs, but it was a close call.
The kids and their parents then moved to the grill, where some 150 hot dogs were available. It was good to see some of the folks there from last year and from some of the other activities we do over the course of the year.
At the end of the event, 3 hot dogs and one bottle of water were left (the sodas and Capri Suns were gone).
And the kids were tired….
…as were the volunteers.
But there were a few sweet kids left, still looking for eggs, armed with the optimism of the young, and the knowledge that more eggs await tomorrow.
There were few vacancies in the Dust Bowl Motel last night. The play, written by Scott McCarley and Jim Roth, played to a nearly full house in the beautiful and historic Crighton Theater on its opening night in Conroe, Texas.
As a small part of the proceedings, the LEAP Center Ambassadors assisted with the event, watched the play, and then enjoyed the post-reception at the Conroe Art League Gallery.
The Dust Bowl Motel is the brain child of Scott McCarley. It is about small-town dreams, so it is fitting that it originated in Huntsville in the Summer of 2014, and it is fitting that its profits go to help build dreams. Profits from the play are split among an SHSU Scholarship, the Crighton Theater, and the Make-A-Wish Foundation. A similar arrangement was arranged when the play did its run in Huntsville in 2014, and some $13,000 was generated for charities, enough to make many people smile.
After only the first night, it’s too early to tell what the profits might be, but in terms of audience reception, the play was a hit. While the narrative involves a straightforward tale of a small-town girl dreaming of California, it is interspersed with McCarley’s songs, which also advanced and enriched the narrative.
Speaking for our own group, there was diversity in the favorite song category, but the general consensus was that “No California” was the best, with “Rosalita” coming in second.
Another favorite, albeit in a different category, was the Crighton Theater. It was the first time we had visited it, and we were struck by its historic features (beautiful chandeliers, alcoves adorned with lamps and vases), and the fine acoustics.
Interestingly, across the street is the Owen Theater, and a third theater is being constructed a few blocks away. Conroe is moving up!
In some respects, seeing the play in Conroe was like seeing the play in Huntsville. Dr. Dick Eglsaer was there, as were Bill and Carol Hyman. Dean Ron Shields was there. Melissa Miller directed the play. And Sam Moak starred as the Sheriff…
Following the play, guests migrated around the corner to the Conroe Art League, which hosted a reception featuring “Dust Bowl Motel” themed art. This was an added treat. Not only was the art alternately interesting and beautiful, but it also featured some items of particular interest to us. First, there was “Nighthawk,” …
…which was a nod to Edward Hopper’s famous “Nighthawks,” which was one of the major pieces our group saw at the Chicago Art Institute.
Second, we saw a piece by Harold Hutcheson titled “Dust Bowl Motel.” Hutch was our former Main Street Director (now with the City of Conroe), and he directed many of us as interns and occasionally exhibits his art work at SHSU.
Of course, with a large group of fun people and interesting art, we took a lot of photos…such as Brian checking out the art both solo…
…and with Kaitlyn…
…or Austin and Alex checking out the jewelry…
…or just the crowd that the exhibit and the play attracted…
…but our favorite photos were those taken with some special people associated with SHSU…such as the McCarleys…
..and Tommy Austin, who is a 1975 graduate of SHSU, a former US Customs Agent, Sky Marshall, and the founder of the Make-A-Wish Foundation…
…and Chrissy Mafrige and her husband, Blake…
As the photos tell, it was a fun end to an entertaining evening in support of many good causes.
Every year, the College of Humanities and Social Sciences honors excellence, recognizing those that have embodied success as practitioners or in teaching in the halls of academia. This year, the College of recognized Professor of Philosophy Frank Fair and former County Judge Frank Robinson. Appropriately, the evening was marked by warmth, camaraderie, and even inspiration, fitting qualities for the humanities fields.
Dean Zink opened the event…
…and Chris Tritico MC’d the event, introducing speakers for both of this year’s recipients.
Fair, the faculty recipient of this year’s award, is only the eighth faculty to be recognized by the college, joining Dr. Caroline Crim, Dr. Richard Cording, Dr. Mattie Medford, Dr. James Olson, Dr. John Holcombe, Dr. Joseph Clark, and Dr. Walter Bennett. After joining the faculty in 1971, quickly made an impact, being involved in the community and in creating new programs at SHSU. He was instrumental in establishing the college’s teaching conference, was active in the Honors College, the Writing Across the Disciplines program, and in Academic Challenge. Fair also brought the journal Inquiry to SHSU, promoting research on philosophical inquiries and the promotion of critical thinking among SHSU students. (As prospective law students, this caught our attention!) His efforts, deservedly, led to him being awarded with the Excellence in Teaching Award in 1989 and the Excellence in Service Award in 1992. In 2011, he was given the Piper Teaching Award, a recognition given to only ten faculty members across the state.
Amidst the sweep of this forty-five year career, CHSS Alumni Advisory Board member Paula Lenz offered an up-close-and-personal view of Fair. With a voice that at times cracked, Lenz noted the impact that Fair had on her life and the way in which she saw the world. Although Lenz majored in English, she took Fair’s philosophical lessons with her, helping her in a successful career as the Director of the North Houston Association.
Dick Eglsaer, the Vice Provost at SHSU, also spoke on behalf of Fair. While calling himself an “old-timer,” he noted that he was nowhere near as old as Fair, a comment that got a few chuckles, including a laugh from the Fairs…
The Marketing Department at SHSU also did a nice video for Dr. Fair…
…which included discussions from Fair’s peers, such as Dr. Gillespie and Dr. Botero, the latter of whom learned to drive from Dr. Fair.
Over dinner, Fair had a chance at his “rebuttal,” and his ten-minute speech illuminated the many qualities that had previously been identified by his peers.
His passion for teaching, his concern for students, his gratitude to work at a fine institution with excellent peers, and even in his 70s, an enthusiasm for what teaching will bring in the future.
Throughout both his speech and the speeches about him, his wife, Janet, was mentioned repeatedly. Following a long career as a teacher at HISD, she now works for SHSU as a mentor and, like Frank, is a leader in the community.
To young political science majors (and one lonely accounting major), it’s inspiring to us as SHSU Ambassadors to see a faculty member who has accomplished so much, impacted so many lives, and maintained the zest for continued service, and we were pleased to meet and congratulate him following the dinner.
Service was also the theme of the CHSS’s recognition of Judge Frank Robinson. Born in 1916, Robinson lived to almost 100, passing just last year. His life of service was attested to by an impressive group of speakers, including former Mayor Jane Monday…
Reverend Willett, Commissioner BJ Gaines, and Robinson’s daughter, who gave a truly moving speech that touched on Robinson’s role as family patriarch…
… community servant, and elected official.
Robinson served two terms as County Judge, was President of Rotary, a Distinguished SHSU Alum, and an active member of the First United Methodist Church. In fact, when the LEAP Ambassadors did a community “then-and-now” photograph of the church in 2012, Robinson was selected to stand (actually, sit) front and center for the outdoor photograph.
Huntsville’s FUMC–Judge Robinson is a bit left of center (above and below)
Although our role in the CHSS event was in a minor support capacity, we were thrilled to volunteer. It’s a wonderful opportunity for us to see role models, to meet others who are active in the College, and to spend time with some really nice people. Chris Tritico, a Houston attorney and SHSU alum, was not only the MC of the event and the dinner…
…but he introduced himself to us, and offered advice and support.
We finally had a chance to meet Dan Beto, for whom we’ve long been grateful but not ever actually met. Beto is a member of the George H. W. Bush Presidential Foundation, and when he cannot attend some of their events, he sends us his invitations. Partially because of his generosity, we’ve seen people such as George H. W. Bush, Stephen Hawking, Bob Gates, Mitt Romney, Barack Obama, Ken Burns, and Bud Philbrook. It was fun putting a name with an invitation!
It’s always nice to see the Woodwards, who have been huge supporters of CHSS. Judge Robinson was once selected as Citizen of the Year by the Huntsville Item. Mac Woodward was nominated for this award this year, and we hope that he wins it this Thursday (Good luck, Mac!)
We always enjoy spending time with the current County Judge, Danny Pierce, and his wife, Cindy. Amidst this group, it’s likely that you’ll not only hear about service, but you’ll actually see it in action. This time was no exception. At the end of the Wall of Honor service, for example, we got to see Judge Pierce help WWII veteran Jerry Nemec to the golf cart. We’ve never actually met Mr. Nemec, but we volunteer a lot at the HEARTS Veterans Museum, and we know about his service to the community and the nation.
One Good Man (Judge Pierce) Helps Another Good Man (Jerry Nemec)
As part of its Mission Statement, the CHSS promotes “personal growth, competent professionalism, and responsible citizenship” and Dr. Fair and Judge Robinson–along with the many nice attendees–did a great job of embodying those qualities and illuminating the importance that humanities plays inside and outside of the classroom.
Dr. Abbey Zink is the Dean of CHSS. Her staff, Brenda McNeely, Christine Reeder and Deanna Briones did a great job of putting this event on. The CHSS Alumni Advisory Board helps oversee the nominations process and they vote to select the honorees. It was an honor to assist with this event.
With waving hands and warm smiles, LEAP ambassadors Brian Aldaco and Kaityln Tyra paraded the streets of Conroe, TX alongside Congressman Brady this past Saturday in the Go Texan 51st annual parade. Presented by the Houston Live Stock and Rodeo Show, the parade was a great way to demonstrate our pride of being a Texan. Positioned behind the float of Miss Moo (the quirky mascot of the Ladies Go Texan Committee) and in front of the Lake Conroe Chamber of Commerce float, we walked through downtown Conroe holding banners and signs recognizing our current US Representative. Showcased in the parade were Conroe High School’s marching band, the Oak Ridge High School Air Force Junior ROTC, the whimsical Arabia Shrine cars, and other local community organizations.
We were among the only ones walking in the procession, and I will shamefully admit that at times we would hold up the rest of the motorcade. These moments of slight embarrassment, however, were all worth it when having in the parade and seeing children who are always happy at a parade. For at least in this blogger’s opinion, nothing matches the feeling of being part of town’s festive, patriotic spirit.
In this fashion of civic pride, we paraded around the Montgomery County Courthouse,, eventually turned to stand by the county’s Commissioner’s Court, and met the parade’s judging panel in front of Conroe Tower. While crossing this street it would have been nearly impossible for any participant to avert one’s gaze away from the distinctive Montgomery County logo, above West Davis Street.
This depiction, made up of the county’s outline decorated with the state’s flag and the line “Birthplace of the Lone Star Flag,” properly captured the spirit of the event. As spectators and participants of the parade, we all gathered on a Saturday evening to celebrate being a Texan and, in my own case, a member of Montgomery County. In assembling, all of us showed how proud we were of our Montgomery County heritage and our love for our Lone Star State.
The LEAP Center is a non-partisan group of students who are engaged in their communities.
…and Justin Beiser and Annel Gonzales…
Center for Law, Engagement, and Politics 
