The spring session hasn’t yet begun, but LEAP students are learning–thanks to the dedication of Professor Lauren Clay.
Following a December session of bowl-making–all in preparation of Empty Bowls–LEAP students gathered again to “Glaze a Bowl.”
Under the tutelage of Professor Clay, our advanced students did excellent work and our slow students (Yawn) made acceptable work.
Over the course of a couple of hours, we learned how to anticipate the “look” of a color on a ceramic bowl, the number of layers to add, and where to paint and where not to paint.
In addition to learning how art works, we also enjoyed the benefits of building social capital. While many of us are SHSU students, we also had professor, and we also had friends–Roxana Alvarado Martinez and her daughter, Gabriella, we met during our citizenship preparatory course, and we have stayed in touch! It is bridging social capital at its best.
Following the glazing, the bowls will go into a kiln (again) and they will be available to their creators on March 4, when the “Empty Bowls Fundraiser” takes place at the Wynne Home Arts and Visitors Center. Between 11am-2pm, the Wynne Home will be offering lunch and a hand-made bowl, available to all comers for a suggested $15.00 donation. Additional bows of the highest quality (not Yawn’s) will be available through silent auction. And what’s best, all of the funds will go to the Senior Center’s “Meals on Wheels.”
We hope everyone will join us in the fun and promote a good cause this March 4!
As part of its annual “Chilly at the Lodge” event, the Josey Scout Lodge Board of Directors hosted a “Chili Master Class,” featuring cooking lessons from Don and Karen Cullum.
The class, attended by five LEAP-affiliated individuals including our newest LEAP Ambassador (Jacob Wessels) and a total of about 45 local residents, was a deep dive into red chili style chili making.
… introduced Don and Karen Cullum–both champions on the chili circuit–and the instructors for today’s crash lesson.
While even amateur cooks might be able to manage a solid pot of chili, championship-level preparation requires attention to nuances.
Have you considered that the wind may affect the heat of your flame and, accordingly, considered buying a wind guard? At your last cookout, did you think of the humidity level when considering how much water to add?
These are some of the nuances described by Don Cullum as he went through the chili-making process.
We also learned, of course, of ingredients, the preparation, and he even offered the recipe he used (or a close approximation to it) when winning the ICS National Championship.
Upon completing the class, we all had a chance to sample Don’s small-batch chili.
And, pleasingly, while he was preparing his small-batch chili (which is what is used to compete because the cook has much more control over the variables), his wife, Karen, was preparing a large batch–large enough for the audience!
Thus, we ended our Saturday morning with a lunch-time meal of chili, courtesy of the Chilly at the Lodge event. You can join the fun on Saturday, January 31 from 11am-3pm, when chili-cooks, vendors, and musicians will come out for a day of food, wares, and entertainment. Visitors can tour the Josey Scout Lodge, stop by booths for all sorts of goods, and with the purchase of a $5 sampler kit, get six spoons to try different versions of Texas-made chili!
As Christmas approaches, some children will find more gifts under their trees thanks to KSAM’s annual Make A Smile Happen (M*A*S*H*) event, which works with local community volunteers (i.e., the LEAP Ambassadors) to collect toys, food, pet supplies, and necessities for families in need.
For the sixth year, LEAP students assisted with the event, covering 21 hours of shifts, participating in “sign and wave…”
LEAP Students with HISD Asst Superintendent Paul Trevino
…help with unloading vehicles…
…and organizing, sorting, and counting items donated…
…doing some radio interviews…
…while also having fun with social media to help advertise the event.
Over the course of a cold and rainy day, this led to a lot of fun, spurred on by a lot of generosity by sponsors and local residents. Indeed, the community’s generosity kept LEAP students busy and resulted in full tents!
Over the course of the two days KSAM’s event generated 1,628 food items, 1,057 toys (including what was probably a record number of bikes!), 300 pounds of pet food, and $6,149 in cash.
This Wednesday’s last Pre-Law Society meeting of the semester ended up being one of our most helpful and interesting ones yet. We started with our usual updates: finances, social media, minutes, and spring-semester dues, before going over upcoming events and ideas for the rest of the year.
Once we wrapped up business, Olivia Discon introduced Attorney Michael Foreman, a Baylor Law graduate and trial lawyer at Haney Paschal & Romoser right here in Huntsville, Texas. Foreman works in family, personal injury, contract and property disputes, and trusts and estates law. From the moment he started speaking, it was clear he had a lot of real-world experience to share.
He began with a question many of us think about: “Does mock trial really prepare you for the courtroom?” Foreman didn’t hesitate. “It’s as close as you can get to actually being in a courtroom,” he said, and encouraged anyone considering law school to get involved. That immediately set the tone for how honest and practical he would be throughout the night.
He also walked us through how he made it onto law review at Baylor. Students can qualify by being in the top 5% of their class or by submitting a strong writing sample. He explained how law review improves your writing, your ability to read cases deeply, and your confidence going into legal practice.
When he talked about law school itself, Foreman didn’t sugarcoat anything. Most classes come down to one final exam, but everything you do during the semester prepares you for it. He stressed how important class rank is your first year, saying, “Your first year is very important. It dictates your speed to success.” Hearing that from someone who has lived it made everyone sit up a little straighter.
Foreman also shared stories from his internships and clerkships, and gave advice that many of us needed to hear: if you get accepted into multiple law schools, choose the best one you can, even if another feels more comfortable. “The first ten years of your career are shaped by the path you choose,” he said. Everyone took a second to process their reality, and most even would say that motivated them even further.
He then talked about the difference between big and small firms. While large firms may seem impressive, he reminded us that new lawyers often don’t get meaningful hands-on work there. Smaller firms, like Haney Paschal & Romoser, give young attorneys real opportunities to learn the entire process, from meeting clients to preparing for trial. It made the legal world feel a little less intimidating. It gave us insight that we would not be able to find on our own as undergraduates.
One of the most interesting parts of his talk was when he described a Texas Renaissance Festival contract case involving $72 million. He used that case to explain what depositions are and why they matter. “Depositions are your first chance to question witnesses under oath,” he said, adding that you often learn the most when you take action early in a case. He also shared the heartbreaking detail that the festival’s owner later committed suicide, which reminded everyone just how much stress clients can be under. “Everyone you work with is under stress,” Foreman told us. “Your job is to give peace of mind and manage expectations.”
From there, he covered probate, personal-injury billing, and the emotional nature of family law. He explained that while the legal part of family law may be straightforward, the challenge comes from guiding clients through tough, emotional situations. “Emotions do not determine decisions,” he said, “but they determine how you communicate.”
He ended the night with a line that stuck with almost everyone: “Law school is ultimately betting on yourself.” For many of us, that was the reminder we needed, that pursuing law is a commitment, but also an investment in who we want to become.
Overall, the meeting was encouraging, honest, and incredibly helpful. We left with a clearer picture of law school, the profession, and the responsibility lawyers carry. It was exactly the kind of meeting that motivates future law students to keep pushing forward.
To finish off the night, the Pre-Law Society and Micheal Foreman had the honor of giving our graduating seniors their cords and PLS certificates.
We are sad to see them go, but grateful to have seen these individuals grow. We wish the best of luck to them and their journeys as aspiring attorneys!
The holiday season is a time for generosity, community spirit, and simple acts of kindness—and few events capture that spirit as fully as KSAM Radio 101.7’s annual M*A*S*H* (Make A Smile Happen) Christmas Gift Drive. As Huntsville residents prepare for the festive season, KSAM is once again inviting–and LEAP is also assisting–the community effort to make the holidays brighter for local families, children, and even four-legged friends.
Located in the HEB Parking lot, M*A*S*H* tents will be open for 21 hours on Wednesday and Thursday (10am-6pm, 6am-4pm, respectively), providing a convenient drop-off spot for donors. Community members are encouraged to bring non-perishable food, new toys, and pet supplies, with LEAP volunteers on hand to help unload, sort, and inventory.
When deciding how to allocate their time, the LEAP Ambassadors ask several questions, including:
Does this fit our mission?
Is this a meaningful contribution to the community?
Do we have the resources to do this well?
Can another group do it better?
With M*A*S*H*, this is an easy call, and it is the fifth year the Ambassadors have assisted with the program–long-term relationships being another hallmark of LEAP operations.
For KSAM Radio, the MASH Gift Drive is more than an annual event—it is a reflection of their longstanding involvement in the community–in fact, they just celebrated their 86th anniversary of being on-air in Huntsville!
For LEAP Ambassadors, it’s a way to contribute to their community while learning more about it. And for community members, it’s an opportunity to give back in a meaningful, tangible way–and to Make a-A Smile Happen!
M*A*S*H* will be in operation again today from 6am-4pm in the HEB parking lot. Stop by and say “hi”!
Nine students and former students with The Center for Law, Engagement, and Politics (LEAP) attended a screening of the 1922 silent horror film Nosferatu at the historic River Oaks Theatre in Houston, Texas. While this outing certainly carried the spirit of the post-Halloween season and the eerie charm associated with early cinematic horror, it also reflected the Center’s continued effort to expand students’ engagement with the humanities, exposure to diverse forms of storytelling, and expanded cultural horizons.
The River Oaks Theatre itself provided a fitting environment. Its historic charm and architecture evoke a theatrical experience that captures some of the magic of silent and golden-age cinema.
Enhancing the screening was a live musical performance by The Invincible Czars, who created the film’s soundtrack live on stage with instrumentation ranging from classical to experimental. Their approach complemented the film with sounds that provided humor, subtle tension, and dramatic intensity.
After the screening, the LEAP students were able to meet the band members and take photographs with the band, while also purchasing movie posters.
While the subject matter — a vampire narrative involving shadows, dread, and ancient evil — is unquestionably spooky, the evening itself reinforced a central purpose of LEAP: experiential learning that blends the artistic, the cultural, and the civic.
Movies like Nosferatu do not just entertain; they help illuminate how societies imagine danger, power, and the supernatural.
This outing offered students a unique opportunity to experience history, art, and performance simultaneously — in a way that was appropriately seasonal, academically rich, and wonderfully haunting.
With limited resources, LEAP layers its activities, making the most of each opportunity. Accordingly, when a learning activity took students to Houston, LEAP students sought out new experiences.
On the way to Houston, we stopped at SHSU’s College of Osteopathic Medicine in Conroe, where we introduced some of our newer students to alum James Surls. Not in person–but through his art. His work, “Pitcher with Flowers,” was designed in 2014, and it was installed at the College of Osteopathic Medicine in early 2020.
The vase with flowers, according to Surls, represents giving “life to new growth,” and, accordingly, was “perfect for the site.” It was also, we thought, a perfect introduction of Surls’ work to students who might not have gone out of their way to explore art.
We took the same approach to food. We stopped at J.Alexander’s, which serves a wide and rich variety of food. We tried a lot of it! We began with smoked salmon, avocado bombs, and artichokes.
It was Ashton’s first time to try salmon, and for several of the students, it was the first time to try artichokes.
The entrees ranged from the basic (burgers and salad)…
to the moderately interesting–salmon, crab cakes, and pork tenderloin.
In typical LEAP fashion, we sampled from each other’s plates, and this led to Ashton discovering a third dish she had never tried before: crab cakes. It was also her favorite!
Perhaps the favorite course was the dessert, which featured carrot cake (favorites of Michelle and Mike), chocolate cake (Ashton’s favorite), peanut butter pie, and Key Lime pie.
It was a wonderful outing, complemented by the opportunity to try new foods, discuss our experiences at Sam Houston State University, and get to know one another better.
The FBI pops up a lot in discussions, but few people really know what the FBI does, the dangers and tasks involved, or the people who do the job. To help remedy this issue, the World Affairs Council brought in former FBI Agent (and Counterintelligence expert) James Conway, who offered an insightful, interesting, and engaging discussion on numerous law-enforcement and intelligence related topics.
During the networking session, we had a chance to meet a number of friendly professionals, who took us in. It was a very welcoming experience, and we are grateful for everyone’s friendliness–and this was especially true of Mr. Conway, who spent a very generous amount of time with us.
The formal program began with remarks by WAC Director of Advancement Sandija Bayot…
She also introduced Ronan O’Malley and James Conway…
…and then turned the microphone over to Ronan, who moderated the event.
Mr. Conway is a former FBI Special Agent who built a distinguished career focused on national security and counterterrorism. Over his years of service, he investigated high-profile cases, collaborated with law enforcement agencies across the world, and developed expertise in intelligence operations. He described many of his operations–including as counterintelligence expert in Mexico City–in an animated fashion.
After retiring from the FBI, Mr. Conway transitioned into public speaking, teaching, and consulting–sharing his deep knowledge of security strategy and crisis response with organizations and communities nationwide.
Throughout the discussion, Mr. Conway touched on policies and shifts in leadership in the FBI, providing a wonderful history of the relationship between the last ten presidents and the CIA–relationships that have not always been close.
He also discussed operations in Houston, Galveston, and New York, particularly with organized crime. The stories were fascinating, but they also illuminated the painstaking care that FBI professionals take with their cases. On a darker note, Conway expressed concern that politics has crept–or been pushed–int0 the agency, and that professionalism could erode, if such politics-creep continues.
It was apparent that this prospect caused Conway pain, but he reiterated his optimism and confidence in the United States people and government, a wonderful way to close a wonderful event.
They had delicious Tex-Mex and Coastal Mexican cuisine. Their service was excellent. After some great conversation about the event, we concluded our day with some unique and flavorful desserts.
We had a wonderful time and will definitely be attending more World Affairs Council events throughout the year with the hope of seeing James Conway and more fascinating speakers in the future.
Center for Law, Engagement, and Politics 