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Center for Law, Engagement, and Politics

Tag: Internship

Capital Fun In Austin: LEAP Edition

As has been SHSU’s tradition, every legislative session the LEAP Center finds exemplary students to intern at the capitol with the state legislators. From a week of mid-terms to a weekend of new legislative terms, the LEAP students traveled to Austin to tour the capital, interview in legislative offices, and explore the rest of the city.

Interviews, by Vincent Melore

It was six o’clock in the morning when we LEAPed out of bed, awaiting the opportunity of a life time. Donning our newly pressed suits, we eagerly anticipated the ride to the capitol, where we would interview with three staff members representing various legislative candidates. When we arrived at the front gates of the capitol we were struck with awe. Magnificent coal black gates surrounded a structure like no other in the state of Texas. The capitol, dressed with genuine Texas red granite and topped with the gorgeous guardian of liberty, was truly a testament to all the opportunities that Texas provides.

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LEAP Center Students Sit in on Appropriations Committee

Soon after the group arrived at the capitol, we interviewed staffers from numerous offices including: Benjamin Williams, Director of Administration for Representative Jim Murphy; Eiman Siddiqui, future chief of staff for Representative-elect Tom Oliverson; and Nick Raymond, future chief of staff for Representative-elect Ernest Bailes. The interviews were indeed a learning experience as potential Austin interns Vincent Melore, Christina Perez, and Isabela Gonzalez were interviewed simultaneously for their first interview of the morning. During the interview, the group was asked typical interview questions, hypothetical interview questions, and some questions that seemed unusual but were used to get an understanding of our unique personalities and whether or not they would fit well in their offices.

As we continued interviewing throughout the day, we also toured through a few of the offices to gain a feel for the environment and expectations of each office (just in case we get placed). We soon understood how important it would be to maintain a professional and positive attitude. As the frontline of the representative’s office we would be responsible for ensuring the integrity and security of that office. Although we all knew we would be in for the workload of a lifetime, this in no way stifled our determination and drive to serve the legislature.

Site-Seeing, by Victoria McClendon-Leggett

Meanwhile, with a muggy and dull sky, LEAP students without impending interviews began their day differently. As we poured out of the van, we filed through the gates and paused as we took a moment to gaze up at the Texas State Capitol. “I’m going to go park. Will you see about getting a tour?” Professor Yawn said to Beatriz. She turned on her heels and began to lead the group towards the edifice that towered in front of them. The façade looked almost pink in contrast to the grey sky. The building was a beautiful example of the renaissance revival style. The walls were smooth, polished red marble. Columns surrounded the rotunda that rose high above the rest of the building, and all around it the pediments of each individual wing came to form four separate peaks.

Some of the students had been here before, but we were all just as mesmerized by the ornate capitol details surrounding us. While waiting for the next tour to start we had time to admire the general splendor. The floor was terrazzo marble that somehow managed to gleam in what little light from outside had found its way in through the 900+ windows that functionally adorn the Capitol building. Professor Yawn eventually joined us and we followed the tour guide as he ushered us up wrought iron staircases, down hallways with more than twenty identical doorways, and past portraits of former Texas governors.

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The tour itself lasted only about forty minutes, and then afterwards the group had to go their separate ways. Some had interviews for prospective internships, some had already landed their internships and simply wanted to visit different offices…

Senator Charles Schwertner's Office, LEAP Students, SHSU
LEAP Center Students in Senator Schwertner’s Office, with Staff Member Deandra Porter

and some were left to amuse themselves for the day. Eventually, we all made our way through the winding halls and tunnels of the capitol and regrouped at the Reference Library before going to lunch.

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LEAP Center Students, Ever-Studious, in the Capitol Reference Library

Food, by Christina Perez

After an adventurous morning at the capitol, we headed to Frank and Angie’s Pizzeria. The options for pizza pies seemed endless. The first suggestion was pepperoni, but we all decided that we should explore different options. After a vote across the table, we decided to order the “Chairman of the Board” which was Frank Sinatra’s nickname after he founded Reprise Records in 1960. We also decided to try “white pizza.” This take on pizza strays away from the path of familiarity for some of us as the tomato sauce is replaced with alfredo. In true Austin spirit, we embraced the change and decided to go for the strange. While enjoying the delicious pizza pies, with expressive eyes we discussed how we could see of the town. Eventually we figured out the best routes through the city that would take us through housing options for the spring.

More Food, Brian Aldaco

Tired of looking through countless apartment complexes, a bit weary from the costly Austin living, we found it apt to unwind with a visit to the ever favorite Clay Pit. From the Guadalupe St rumbling echoes of traffic, we crossed into the cozy, calm Indian cuisine restaurant. As we were seated, the spicy aromas which filled the air prompted us to get ready for this trip down savory lane. As their eyes met the different menu items, students who had never been to an Indian restaurant looked perplexed, perhaps even frightened. Items such as Goat Curry, Lamb Roganjosh, Boti Kabab, (whose pronunciation was just as ambiguous as its ingredients) were met with curiosity but ordered nonetheless.

austin_fall_2016_clay_pit_food_2_web

For dessert, we agreed on the savory treat of creme-brulee, Gulab Jamun, and the Hot and Cold Love (a unique combination of vanilla ice-cream and specially prepared carrot puree). After hearty conversation, good food, and a couple of table mishaps here and there…

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Sadie McLaughlin, Following a Water-Drinking Mishap

…we managed to get off our seats and take a night walk through UT Campus and the Capitol.

We strolled through the city until we reached the UT Campus. As we neared the glowing UT Tower, we surveyed the South lookout from our viewpoint.

UT Tower, LEAP Students

Standing on that pebbled ground we stayed contemplating at the bright vista of a very beautiful Texas Capitol dome. Night crawling through more of Austin we re-visited the State Capitol and pensively strolled down the perimeter of the legislative building.

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With a day full of weary and a tomorrow full of mystery, it was nice to walk worry free, soaking in the pleasant moon glow and shine from our Texas seal. Our little weekend adventure had come to its end.

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With a drive back to Huntsville in the morning, we took our last glances of the capitol, gave our last sighs, and agreed on how pleasant the day as a whole had been. Even though nerves ran high, and results are yet to be seen, at least we got to spend an adventurous day at Austin with great friends.

Author mikeyawnPosted on October 20, 2016Format AsideCategories Civic Engagement, Food, Law, Politics, TravelTags Austin, Clay Pit, Frank and Angie's, Internship, LEAP Center, SHAIP, SHSU, Texas CapitolLeave a comment on Capital Fun In Austin: LEAP Edition

Eye-Opening in Austin

On June 13, 2016 Alex Galvan, Kaitlyn Tyra, Megan Chapa, Karla Rosales, and I headed into the Capitol for our first day as Austin interns.

Capitol_Selfie
SHSU Interns at the Texas Capitol

Unlike the rest of the SHSU students, however, this was my first time in Austin, and I could not help but look in awe at the marvelous building I would be working in for the week. As we got further inside, I stood on top of the terrazzo floor tiles forming the six seals of the six nations that had governed Texas…

Seals

and I stood looking up at the dome.

Capitol_Dome

I spun in a circle and all around me I saw portraits of governors.

Rotunda_Governors

Looking further up, I noticed that every floor had various portraits all around the rotunda and at the very top was a star painted on the dome. With the sun shining through the windows all around me, I hoped it was a premonition of the day ahead and that the wonder would be only a taste compared to the amazing things I would later discover.

As soon as I entered through the door of Representative Armando “Mando” Martinez’s office, I was cheerfully greeted by his Chief of Staff, Scott Jenkines. Mr. Jenkines made me feel right at home as he explained the expectations and rules of the office. With Mr. Jenkines being from Weslaco, we reminisced about the Rio Grande Valley, and discussed the many issues the people there were facing, as well as different possibilities that Representative Martinez was trying to implement to try and help these issues get fixed.

To start off the day, Mr. Jenkines led me through the maze that was the Capitol and took me to get my photograph taken for my ID. He also offered a quick tour and, again, my head spun round and round, as we took turn after turn, leading me deeper and deeper into the Capitol. I was shown where the Capitol Grille was, the place to go when anyone inside was hungry; we passed by the post office (grabbing the mail in the process); and we saw the different committee offices, especially Transportation and Higher Education, which are two of the committees Representative Martinez is heavily involved in.

The House of Representatives, where Representative Martinez votes, was closed for renovation, but the Senate Gallery was open and splendid!

TX_Senate_Web

One of the most interesting things I learned about the Capitol was the process of hanging the governors’ portraits. Heading back, Mr. Jenkines explained that when a new governor’s portrait was added (only after they leave office), each of the portraits has to be moved exactly one spot backwards, meaning every single portrait has to be removed and rehung.

Rick_Perry_Portrait

At another stop on the tour, we visited the library, almost directly beneath Representative Martinez’s office. On the library walls are paintings of the judges.  One stood out: The Portrait of the Unknown Judge.

Unknown_Judge

It is interesting that an unknown judge could make it on to the wall of the capitol and yet not have anything known about him.

Once I got back to the office, I got to meet Jack Walls, a Baylor intern who is also be interning at Representative Martinez’s office. He showed me the basics of the typical office day for an intern: answering phone calls, navigating the computer system, and communicating with people. Then I was left to my own devices so that I could read and learn more in depth about bills, statutes, and committees.

Later in the day, Mr. Jenkines received a call that my ID was ready. As we were heading back up to the  office I got to show off my brand new name tag.

Beatriz_Badge

Later, still, I would get a nameplate, just like a real employee!

Beatrice_Nameplate

At the office, Mr. Jenkines mentioned a leadership program called “Subiendo”. This program was aimed at high-school students so that they can gain leadership skills during a training in which they can learn about and address different issues going on in the real world today. This event takes place on Wednesday, and I will have the chance to go along as part of the Representative Martinez team.

At the end of the day, Professor Yawn took us to a vegetarian restaurant called Mother’s. We were greeted by Blake Roach, Melva Gomez, and  Emily Johnson who were alumni and part of the Junior Fellows when they were at SHSU. Everyone relaxed and spent a pleasant evening in this quaint little restaurant. We were all a bit thrown off by the lack of meat (Vegetarian isn’t big in the Valley), but it was an interesting experience to see the wonderfully creative recipes they had instead. I had the plate called Momma’s Quiche. We left after various elaborated talks of the past memories and the new ones being created.

It was a special day, one made so by my boss, Scott Jenkines; and by Megan Chapa and Alejandra Galvan, who made a trip to the Valley to take me to Austin; and the opportunities that come with being an SHSU student.

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Beatriz Martinez and Kaitlyn Tyra at the Capitol

 

Beatriz Martinez is finishing her first year at SHSU.  She is eighteen-years old but, amazingly, has completed 100 hours, compiling a cumulative GPA of 3.90 (and a 4.0 at SHSU).  She is the youngest of the LEAP Ambassadors.

 

 

 

 

 

Author mikeyawnPosted on June 15, 2016June 15, 2016Categories Civic EngagementTags Austin, Internship, LEAP Center, Mother's Cafe & Garden, Representative Armando Martinez, Scott Jenkines, SHSU, The Unknown JudgeLeave a comment on Eye-Opening in Austin

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