LEAP Center Ambassadors Karla Rosales and Megan Chapa met with KSAM‘s Larry Crippen for an “Around Town” session. This is the seventh time the Junior Fellows/LEAP Center have been featured on Around Town, a six-minute radio program that highlights local happenings on 101.7 and 104.9 FM.
The program, which covers their recent experiences at the Texas Governor’s Inauguration, as well as upcoming events such as the Michael Morton appearance, Nancy Bocskor’s appearance, and the Citizenship Program, aired Saturday (March 14) and Sunday (March 15).
The HEARTS Veterans Museum held their 15th Annual Veteran’s Day Banquet, appropriately, on Veterans Day, November 11, 2014. A silent auction, catered dinner, and a short but moving program rounded out the evening. We were fortunate to be asked to help in greeting attendees as they arrived, assisting with the silent auction, and meeting community members and leaders, and learning more about veterans and their sacrifice.
LEAP Center Students Listen to Champe Miller Discuss Veterans Day
It was heartening to see soldiers, former and current, old and young, men and women, from all walks of life, stand while the Huntsville Community Men’s Choir performed a rendition of the Armed Forces Medley. All five branches of our nation’s armed forces were represented by local veterans. Air Force, Army, Coast Guard, Marine Corps, and Navy veterans and current soldiers stood during their service’s song. You didn’t have to look far to see that not all eyes were dry.
There was a short presentation on putting the various services for Texas veterans in the palm of their hands – à la the new “Texas Veterans App” (free, available on iPhone and Android devices) by former TX Representative Suzanna Hupp. We were also able to meet several elected officials who took the time to honor those who have served to defend and protect our freedoms, including Congressman Kevin Brady.
Congressman Brady & LEAP Students
It was a great evening, for a great cause – honoring our heroes and our history. For more information on the history of Veterans Day, see the U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs website.
The Sam Houston Memorial Museum hosted its 4th Annual Amateur Photography Contest last week, attracting approximately 200 visitors to the Walker Educator Center. The record number of guests were able to peruse a record number of submissions—more than 300 in all—while also enjoying the opportunity to win prizes offered by Museum staff.
Walker Education Center Exhibit Hall
The event was the brainchild of Museum Curator of Exhibits Casey Roon, who initiated the contest in 2010. The goal was to showcase community talent, while bringing the community together.
Casey Roon & Mac Woodward
Among the many individuals brought together included students from the Center for Law, Engagement, And Politics (LEAP), who volunteered to help at this wonderful community-building project. “The Museum hosts various exhibits throughout the year, but my favorite is the Amateur Photo Contest,” observed Ariel Traub, “and the photographs were stunning!”
Ashley, Constance, Medrano, Traub
As with previous years, the photographs were grouped into multiple categories but, as Marketing Coordinator Megan Buro notes, “Casey has done a great job of keeping the contest fresh and different. This year included new categories and the photographs were fantastic.” In all, there were eight categories: (1) Faces, (2) B&W, (3) Old, (4) Action, (5) Flora & Fauna, (6) Travel, (7) New, and (8) Food. There were also the “Curator’s Choice” selections and, of course, the big prize: “Best in Show.”
The winners included:
Faces
Denise Camp Kya
Cari McGown Whatcha Sayin?
Sarah Lane Jane
Watchu saying?, by Cari McGown
B&W
Ashley Dobos American Poverty
Scott McCarley School Dance
Cari McGown I See the Moon, the Moon Sees Me
American Poverty, by Ashley Dobos
Old
Steven Mateo V8 Soft
Sam Beard In Eliza’s Kitchen
Ramses Leon Cuban Butterfly
V8 Soft, Steven Mateo
Action
Erin Rogers Nature’s Grace
Keenan Jones Untitled
Sam Beard Going for the Steer
Nature’s Grace, by Erin Rogers
Flora & Fauna
Anne King Green
(tie) Cari Mc Gown Good Morning Lady
(tie) Sarah Lane Lone
(tie) Elisabeth Williams Frog’s New Home
(tie) David Knuth Low Tide
Lone, by Sarah Lane
Travel
Beth Gray Tickets Please
Lori Sanders Stone Soldiers
Scott McCarley Train to Bandra
Train to Bandra, by Scott McCarley
New
Anne King Charlotte
Mike Whatley New Day
Sam Beard Spring Flowers
New Day, by Mike Whatley
Food
Denise Camp Yellow Peppers
Lori Sanders Sweet Tea
Jacqueline Davis For the Love of Caffeine
Sweet Tea, by Lori Sanders
Selected for the top two photographs in the exhibit were:
Reserve: Beth Gray Tickets Please Best in Show: Denise Camp Kya
Kya, by Denise Camp
Among the many submissions—and winners!—was the Chair of the Friends of the SHMM, Scott McCarley. His “Train to Bandra” and “School Dance” both placed in the top three in the “Travel” and “B&W” categories.
“It’s great to be able to participate in one of the Museum’s many fine exhibits and programs that are open to the public,” noted McCarley. “We hope that the Museum gets this level of support for all of its exhibits.”
For more information about the Museum, its collections, upcoming exhibits, or to become a “Friend of the Museum,” visit www.samhoustonmemorialmuseum.com.
Center for Law, Engagement, and Politics 