Huntsville Main Street – Center for Law, Engagement, and Politics

City Fellows Interns Showcase a Summer of Growth Through Final Presentations

After a summer of serving local government and nonprofit organizations throughout the Huntsville community, interns in the Center for Law, Engagement, and Politics (LEAP) at Sam Houston State University concluded the City Fellows Internship Program by presenting their experiences to supervisors, mentors, and fellow interns.

The presentations highlighted not only the projects each student completed, but also the personal and professional growth that occurred throughout the semester. Participating interns included Elizabeth Werts (Fort Bend District Clerk’s office)…

…Brittlyn Jackson (Huntsville Main Street)…

…Estrella Morales-Garcia (Wynne Home Arts and Visitor Center)…

…Tania Ramirez (Huntsville Parks and Leisure)…

…Allie Plunk (who completed internships with both The Altom Group and Old Town Theatre)…

…and Christine James (SAAFE House).

The event was well attended by many of the students’ supervisors and community partners, demonstrating the strong relationships that make the City Fellows program successful. Among those in attendance were Kristy Wheeler and Penny Joiner from Huntsville Parks and Leisure; Amanda Sewell and Olivia McCaughan from Main Street Huntsville; Angela Robinson from the Wynne Home Arts and Visitor Center; Tracy Stoudt and Colleen Garza from SAAFE House; and Marshall Altom of The Altom Group. Also attending were Brian Beasley, Assistant City Manager for the City of Huntsville, and Sandra Rodriguez, Human Resources Coordinator for the City.

Each presentation focused on a significant project completed during the internship. Indeed, this is one key aspect of the City Fellows program: the internships are project based. For Tania Ramirez in Parks, for example, that included coming up with activities for the City’s July 4th celebration and its accompanying parade (where the Parks department one the Spirit Award). The students also discussed the challenges encountered and the lessons learned along the way. Several students admitted they were initially nervous about speaking before an audience, with nearly half acknowledging that public presentations pushed them well outside their comfort zones. By the end of the program, however, each intern confidently shared the accomplishments of the summer and reflected on the skills they had developed.

Many of the students discussed overcoming personal limitations, whether it was learning unfamiliar office software, adapting to a professional workplace, or building confidence in communicating with coworkers and the public. Their stories illustrated that internships provide far more than workplace experience—they foster resilience, adaptability, and self-confidence.

One theme echoed by every presenter was a newfound appreciation for local government and community organizations. Whether engaging in the day-to-day work of the organization or through one of the City Fellows’ tours, the interns gained a better understanding of how many moving parts exist in local government and how each component has to have dedicated staff behind their mission.

It was, of course, icing on the cake to have many of those dedicated staff in the room while the presentations were being conducted, and the LEAP Center remains grateful to the City of Huntsville, SAAFE House, The Altom Group, the Old Town Theatre, and the Fort Bend County Clerk’s Office for providing students with rich opportunities.

ZZ Tex: Tops in Texas

If it’s the second Saturday of a summer month–and in Texas, May is a summer month–then it’s time to go the Main Street Music Series. To kick of this year’s series, the Huntsville Main Street Manager, Amanda Schillaci, hosted “ZZ Tex,” a tribute band to the ever-popular ZZ Top at Rather Park in downtown Huntsville. The result was a 90 minute set of the band’s favorites, with almost 200 people in attendance.

The crowd consisted of a cross-section of Huntsville, albeit one veering a bit to the older side. It was also a city-employee reunion of sorts, with Stephanie Fors, Marcy Metz, Aron Kulhavy, Angela Robinson, and Tammy Gann all on hand. We also saw community regulars such as Darren and Marsie Grant; Danny and Sue Slater; and our favorite community volunteer, Lois Stehlik.

The band kept the crowd engaged, playing favorites such as “Cheap Sunglasses,” “Give me all your Loving,” “Legs,” “Give it Up,” and, of course, “Sharp Dressed Man.” The crowd loved them, but it wasn’t until later in the evening that they became fully engaged with the dancing.

Sporing glow sticks and inflatable guitars–all provided by Main Street–the crowd jammed to the signature sounds of ZZ Top, as interpreted by ZZ Tex. The music, along with uncharacteristically wonderful weather (72 degrees, low humidity) and the end-of-the-semester de-stressing allowed for a wonderful time for all.

Did the end-of-the-semester bustle cause you to overlook the event? No worries, you still have the Houston Ensemble (June 14), Zach Jonez & 45s (July 12), and the Texas TBirds (August 9) ahead of you.

Many thanks to Amanda Schillaci and the City of Huntsville staff for putting on this event!

Trivia: In 1967, David Adickes opened a nightclub in Houston, the Love Street Light Circus Feel Good Machine, which, if names mean anything, was a groovy and psychedelic experience.

Photograph, Picture of the exterior of Love Street Light Circus Feel Good Machine. Courtesy of the Univeristy of Houston Libraries. Image available on the Internet and included in accordance with Title 17 U.S.C. Section 107.

According to Adickes, it was where the band ZZ Top first performed and rose to prominence. While Rather Park may not be as trippy as a place known as the Love Street Light Circus Feel Good Machine, it was still an enjoyable evening in the company of a lot of good people.

Junk-A-Palooza 2025

by Michelle Moya

The weekend of April 12 was a vibrant celebration of community spirit in Huntsville, packed with events that really showed off the city’s sense of unity. After months of planning, registration, and preparation, it was incredibly rewarding to see Junk-A-Palooza come to fruition in Downtown Huntsville.

The City of Huntsville Main Street Program brings several annual events to Huntsville, and as intern for Main Street, my role this semester was helping with Junk-A-Palooza, which proved to be a success. With more than 100 vendors and an estimated 300-400 attendees, the event demonstrated its ability to bring people together and showcase community collaboration.

Junk-A-Palooza is a community-wide garage sale that gives people a chance to declutter and repurpose their old or unused items. Families, individuals, and groups set up booths filled with a wide variety of items, from unique treasures to everyday essentials—artwork, furniture, vintage items.

Following much work from Main Street Director Amanda Schillaci, Event Coordinator Angela Robinson, and myself, the event officially kicked off bright and early at 7 a.m., with booths set up ready to go and many already downtown checking out everything the booths had to offer.

One vendor featured a mystery box that sold out almost immediately, while one of the most memorable finds for me was collectable toys of red vintage cars.

The event was attended by many familiar faces, including Dr. Caroline Crimm and members of the Walker County Historical Commission…

Dakota Dube…

Tracy Chappell…

the Huntsville Police Department…

and the Huntsville Fire Department…

This year’s Junk-A-Palooza coincided with the Wynne Home’s Easter Egg Hunt and the Pineapple Run, a 5K held in memory of Peyton Irwin. The race benefited the Peyton Irwin Foundation, which aims to educate others on the dangers of distracted driving while also awarding scholarships to students.

The Pineapple Run added to the festive atmosphere, with a bouncy castle, costume contest, and food stands supporting a great cause, not to mention the pineapple I purchased!

The combination of Junk-A-Palooza and the Pineapple Run created a day full of fun and community spirit in downtown Huntsville. Junk-A-Palooza was a huge success, thanks to the efforts of many community members.

The events showcased the best of Huntsville, highlighting its sense of unity and community spirit. Thank you to everyone who participated, volunteered, and attended!

LEAPing into Halloween: Celebrating Scare on the Square with Huntsville Main Street

Saara Maknojia

Every year, the LEAP Ambassadors come together to participate in and volunteer at the annual Scare on the Square, hosted by the Huntsville Main Street Program. This year was no different!

In keeping with our tradition of selecting a new theme each year, we decided to dress as the cast of The Wizard of Oz!

While we didn’t officially set the level of creativity for our costumes, some of us went all out, while others kept it simple but stayed true to the “heart” of the theme—except for our very own Tin Man, who cleverly carried hers in her shiny silver purse!

Before the event started, we were visited by McKenna Nonnenmann, the Main Street Intern for the fall semester.

She shared her experience of assisting in organizing this year’s Scare on the Square, something she enjoyed planning from start to finish. Angela Robinson, the Event Coordinator for the Wynne Home Arts and Visitors Center, and Amanda Schillaci, the Main Street Program Manager and the organizer of the event, also stopped by to greet the group and see the setup.

As always, students from Professor Yawn’s classes participated in the event, bringing even more fun to the festivities.

The University 1101 team showed their Halloween spirit by dressing up as the characters from Scooby-Doo. They set up a game of “Spin for Cornhole,” which proved to be a popular attraction.

Simultaneously, the team from the Local Government class, which consisted of Roberto Cardenas, Kayona Denver, Logan Skelton, and myself, was also tuned into the action. For those looking for a bit more difficulty, we hosted a ring-toss game which attracted kids and even parents. Some even participated multiple times in hopes of winning extra Halloween treats!

Scare on the Square is a wonderful opportunity for local businesses, organizations, and the community to come together, enjoy each other’s company, and play fun games.

This year, the event exceeded expectations, providing a safe and enjoyable space for children to celebrate Halloween and make lasting memories.

Huntsville’s Scary Square–2023

LEAP began assisting with the Scare on the Square in 2005, which may have been Main Street’s first such “stab” at the event. Well, for the 19th time, we “suited up” for this Halloween ritual that brings in thousands of people from the community together for a safe day of fun.

This time, though, we worked in a somewhat different capacity and there were a few new twists (of the knife).

A few weeks ago, Jessica Cuevas, LEAP’s co-Vice President of Operations, was brought in by the City of Huntsville to supervise the event as the Interim Main Street Manager. So, LEAP Ambassadors worked as “special assistants”–“Igors,” so to speak–to help the event run smoothly.

And, after years of taking place directly on the square, the event was shifted one block south so as not to interfere with customer parking for downtown businesses.

But as in past years, the event was a huge draw for local residents and a lot of fun for everyone. Vendors offered many options of food and drink, allowing visitors to “pick their poison.” More than 50 local organizations participated, including two of Professor Yawn’s classes. These students, being future attorneys, were the most frightening characters of all.

The Fire Department was again on hand, doing community service.

While many of the selfie stations were similar to past years, a new attraction was the 21st century photo booth, which takes a video from a 360-degree view. It was, in short, a “scream.”

Of course for most of the kids, the real attractions were the games and the candy. There were ring tosses on witches’ hats…

…pumpkin decorating…

…a Jurassic Trunk…

…ghost bowling…

…a cauldron toss, an eyeball toss…

…basketball shooting, face-painting…

…and many others. Thankfully, the costumes were diverse this year, with fewer Barbies than one might have expected.

For our part, we dressed as the Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles. It was a bit of a change for us, as we’re not exactly ninja material, but we enjoyed it nonetheless.

The result, according to the City of Huntsville’s Economic Development Coordinator, Tammy Gann, “perhaps the best attended Scare on the Square we’ve had.” It was, at least for us, certainly one of the most satisfying.

Ariza Martinez, the Main Street intern for the fall, had the opportunity to take the lead in organizing a community event of this scale for the very first time.

It was her chance to showcase her creativity and adaptability while making a positive impact on our community.

The City of Huntsville staff–Aron Kulhavy, Tammy Gann, Angela Robinson–were great! Continuing on the superhero theme, which may have been open to interpretation for some, was a “super” sight! Regarded as Huntsville’s unsung heroes, it was a true joy to see them enjoying the day’s festivities.

As for the Ambassadors, we “shelled” out lots of fun and truly enjoyed ourselves in Huntsville’s downtown, well, most of us.

While our ninja skills may have been questionable, our enthusiasm was undeniable.

A Journey Tribute, Main Street Style

The Huntsville Main Street Program does a lot of good things for the community, and one of these is its “Summer Music Series.” This summer’s series closed with “ESCAPE,” Houston-based tribute band. And although they are Houston-based, the band’s founder, Bobby Cayton, is actually a Huntsville native, and he seemed–along with everyone else–to enjoy his return to Huntsville.

Whether it was the return of this Huntsville native, or nostalgia for 80s Rock, or a free event on a Saturday night, there was a very large crowd.

Approximately 250 people were on hand, and their enjoyment of the band its music was obvious. The band offered directions–join in chants, wave your arms, come to the front, and the crowd obliged.

It was a special treat for City staff, who not only put on the event but also had a chance to enjoy it. Rebekah Kolb (Main Street Manager) supervised the program, with help from Angela Robinson (Program Coordinator for the Wynne Home). Aron Kulhavy was on hand, along with many music-series mainstays: Lois Stehlik, Darren and Marsie Grant, Derrick Birdsall, and Russell and Tish Humphrey.

Adding to the fun and sense of nostalgia was the band’s frequent trivia interventions, asking the audience to participate on matters such as, “Who was the band’s third drummer?” The audience proved remarkably knowledgeable, and they often, in turn, tried to direct the band, requesting specific songs and encouraging a longer playlist.

The ninety-minute set, though, was just right, a nice end to the summer break and a nice kick-off to the fall semester.

Christmas Fair, on the Square!

Morgan Robertson

As the season changes (although the weather may not) there is no better way of celebrating the Christmas spirit than with Main Street’s annual Christmas fair! Main Street Director, and former President of the LEAP Ambassadors, Annel Guadalupe organized the great event and brought Christmas cheer to the community, with the help of the current President of the LEAP Ambassadors and Main Street Intern, Jessica Cuevas.

In the typical Main Street fashion, the Fair decorated University Avenue and Rather Park with hoilday cheer. The City of Huntsville’s Parks Department did a wonderful job of creating a winter wonderland of Rather Park, and Main Street brought great music to the middle of downtown, courtesy of the Sleigh Riders.

Perhaps the best attraction of the day was the beautifully decorated photo-op with Santa! At the Courthouse Gazebo, community members posed with the Christmas icon and whispered items from their Christmas lists.

In addition to family fun, the Christmas fair is a great opportunity to get all your holiday shopping done! Vendors displayed handmade jewelry, expertly carved cutting boards, toys for the littles, and much more.

LEAP Ambassadors, Yvette Mendoza, Ingrid Cuero, and I enjoyed volunteering with Santa and capturing some great photos in the process. We were even fortunate enough to get our own photo with Santa!

The first Saturday in December was truly one to remember. A day full of smiling faces, happy shoppers, and amazing Huntsville spirit!

On behalf of the Ambassadors, thank you to Annel, Jessica, and the City of Huntsville for making this great event possible. Merry Christmas!

Scare on the Square

October 29, 2022, Morgan Robertson

October has a few milestones for those in Huntsville, but none more important than Main Street’s Annual Scare on the Square! This year, we were fortunate enough to have 3 booths, all run by students from Professor Yawn’s classes. Two groups from the Local Government class and one group from University 1101 Pre-Law braved the eager trick-o-treaters, photo-snapping parents, and swarms of community members, to volunteer for this amazing event.

Main Street Coordinator, Annel Guadalupe was assisted by Main Street Intern and LEAP Ambassador, Jessica Cuevas.

Jessica Cuevas is the small child on the right, not the left.

The team did a wonderful job transforming our beloved downtown into a Halloween Celebration! Up at Rather Park, a DJ was stationed playing Halloween music, and there were fall-themed photo stations for families to remember their time at scare on the square. Yvette and I were on standby to offer assistance to the groups and to take pictures.

We coordinated our costumes from the movie Monsters Inc. and became known as the Monster photographers (although, within LEAP, we are known simply as “monsters”)!

Each group of volunteers brainstormed their own games and was responsible for bringing their ideas to life.

Booth one was run by one group from the local government class. Volunteers from this group were: Michelle Bright, Amor Sheffield, Matthew Smith, and Emily Lindahl, Adisen Massie, and Christina Biello.

Their game was perhaps the most creative and required quite a bit of skill from the young trick-o-treaters. With a small tub of rubber ducks and makeshift fishing poles, players were required to catch a duck to win candy! Some got the hang of fishing more easily than others, but intense concentration was a must for this game.

Booth two was the second group from the local government class, run by: Rachel Hill, Johnny Uribe, Gisela Soto, Giselle Martinez, Amari Gallien, and Cameron Gill.

This group kept the game simple, with classic cornhole boards. However, the true competitive colors of almost every player were shown in this game. This booth seemed to produce an endless amount of laughs, as volunteers enjoyed the game faces of the players.

The final group were all in their first semester at SHSU, and they did a great job of decorating their booth, assembling costumes, and putting on a game. This group included Sephora Pham, Faith Barnes, Peyton Jennings, McKenna Nonnennmann, Michelle Cardenas, and Cinthia Villareal.

To win candy at this booth, children had to toss a tennis ball into a Halloween bucket (which sounds easier than it actually is)!

When it came time for the Costume Parade, Annel asked for a few volunteers to escort Frankenstein from the front of the parade! Gisela and Johnny helped corral masqueraders, and led them down the street toward the park.

The parade was a success; Johnny and Gisela even got to help city staff pass out beads to the participants.

Another highlight was just seeing all the young people–and older people–dressed up and having fun.

Scare on the Square is one of my favorite events of the year. Members of the community fellowship in our beautiful Downtown, enjoy the nice weather, and celebrate a fun holiday!

On behalf of the LEAP Center and the students who volunteered, thank you to Annel, Jessica, and the City of Huntsville for making this event possible!

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