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!

From the LEAP Lens: Photography Exhibit at the Walker Education Center

Last year, Derrick Birdsall, Director of the Sam Houston Memorial Museum and Republic of Texas Presidential Library, asked whether we would be interested in having an exhibit of our photographs. Of course we said, “Yes!” And with this agreement, we had the pleasure of working with Derrick, Jude Routh, Megan Buro, and the wonderful Museum staff on this exhibit.

The exhibit showcases photos taken by either LEAP Ambassadors or their advisors, Mike Yawn and Stephanie Fors. The photos range from state parks, national parks, architecture, people, wildlife, and other scenes–all taken from a LEAP-related trip or adventure.

We were, of course, concerned that people might not attend. It’s not easy to explain what LEAP is, and we are not logically or conceptually associated with photography. LEAP, after all, stands for Law, Engagement, And Politics. So, what if people thought it was an exhibit about Law? Or Politics? Or what if no one wanted to see photographs by people who aren’t professional photographers?

All those were legitimate concerns, so we took extra care to send out invitations, and the Museum did a great job marketing the event (and hanging the show)!

As it turned out, we had a great showing of town-and-gown participants. It was wonderful to see some of our LEAP alumni there…

We saw many old friends, such as Mac and Leanne Woodward, Dr. Ralph and Linda Pease, Gene Roberts, Vice-Provost Anne Gaillard, Linda McKenzie, Dr. Stacy Ulbig, Charlie Vienne, Karen Altom, Dr. Tamara Waggener, Thomas Leeper, Ken Holland, and President James and Nancy Gaertner!

In all, more than 200 people showed up, which may be a record for an exhibit opening at the Walker Education Center. We were very pleased with the attendance, and even more grateful that we live in a community that supports students. We, personally, have had some amazing experiences and memories because of our adopted hometown.

Derrick Birdsall did a nice job introducing us…

…Morgan Robertson then made a few comments and introduced the other Ambassadors…

…and then Professor Yawn discussed the LEAP program, told some stories (and some stories behind the stories), and described the exhibit.

We were pleased with the showing from elected officials, such as Commissioner Bill Daugette, Tax-Assessor Collector Diana McRae, District Attorney Will Durham, Judge Tracy Sorenson, Councilmember Casey Cox, School Board Trustee Ken Holland, and Jeff Murski from Congressman Pete Sessions’ office was also on hand! We even had Councilmember Hinojosa and the City Manager from Madisonville, Fabrice Kabona, on hand. And, we were especially gratified to see so many City Staff, with whom we’ve had long partnerships in internships, programs, and other forms of community support.

Most of all, it was wonderful to see so many friends and also to see so many people having a good time.

Thanks to the Sam Houston Memorial Museum, the many people who attended, and the to the University at large.

If you missed it, the exhibit is open until May 12. The Walker Education Center is open from 9am-4pm Tuesday-Saturday. If you’d like to arrange a “group tour,” the LEAP Ambassadors are also happy to accommodate. Feel free to contact Professor Mike Yawn at mike.yawn@shsu.edu.

CCC Trail: Palo Duro State Park

Olivia Discon

Palo Duro Canyon is sometimes boastfully referred to as the “Grand Canyon of Texas,” and that’s not really fair to the Grand Canyon. But taken on its own, it is in fact a grand and beautiful adventure.

LEAP Ambassadors on the
Lighthouse Trail, 2018

The LEAP Ambassadors have traveled to Palo Duro twice, once in 2018, and again in January of this year. It was my first trip to a State Park!

It was beautiful, and I enjoyed the activity, the beauty, and the idea that the State is preserving these areas for the use of all.

The best shot I was able to get was when we were returning from the CCC Trail, just before sunset. It was a beautiful short hike, one where I also learned about the Civilian Conservation Corps–part of FDR’s Works Progress Administration.

What struck me most, though, was the beauty. And as we were heading back, I saw this beautiful view, with Professor Yawn and Stephanie hiking and providing a sense of scale, and I got the image!

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.