LEAP Ambassadors – Page 34 – Center for Law, Engagement, and Politics

Book Talk with Megan Abbott: “Beware the Woman”

Morgan Robertson

Just 36 hours before our summer retreat, Michelle Cardenas, Olivia Discon, Ingrid Cuero, and I made our way to Houston to see award-winning author, Megan Abbott, discuss her new book: Beware the Woman. Abbott’s seventh stop on her book tour was hosted at one of our favorite local bookstores, Murder By The Book. Like its name suggests, Murder By The Book is certainly a place for true crime enthusiasts, mystery fanatics, and of course avid readers!

In most crime novels, and in real cases, the perpetrator is often male. However, Abbott flips the narrative in her works by diving into the motives and emotions that drive women to act in malicious ways. Beware the Woman follows a newlywed and expecting couple Jacy and Jed, as they venture to Jed’s fathers’ cabin in the woods. Without giving too much away, Abbott managed to offer some teasers about the book, while also answering questions from the audience and successfully hooked us on reading the book!

Abbott chose to spend her time answering questions from the audience. In past interviews and articles, Abbott indicated that she has been heavily influenced by film noir. Professor Yawn asked Abbott if she pictures certain actors from film noir as her characters while she writes. Abbott answered of course and listed some of her childhood favorites including Robert Mitchum, Humphrey Bogard, and Gloria Grahame! However, she also mentioned how she tries to leave enough ambiguity so that readers may fill in the blanks and invasion their own protagonist or villain.

Another question from the audience, prompted Abbott to choose her favorite of her works. After pondering on her answer

Abbott chose Dare Me (2012) which details the true nature of a high school cheer squad with a dark twist. This question led Abbott to describe part of her researching process. In her example, Abbott chose The Turnout (2021) and explained that YouTube and message boards were a few of her greatest tools to uncover what the world of competitive ballet looks like. Although she interviewed countless ballet dancers and instructors, online sources also provided details needed for her thriller. Abbott noted how in preparation for a book, she will do extensive research at the beginning so that she doesn’t have to fact check every small detail as she begins to write.

Olivia most enjoyed how Abbott contemplated each question and gave genuine answers about her process and her own opinions on her work. Olivia purchased The Song is You (2007) after talking with Stephanie who enjoyed the book for its noir themes and “female fatale” character.

Abbott was kind enough to pose for a picture with our group and chat with us for a few minutes!

The LEAP Ambassadors would like to thank Megan Abbott for her lively and engaging book talk, as well as Murder By The Book for hosting such a great event!

Exploring Austin- Jessica style!

Jessica Cuevas

LEAP is all about new adventures and experiences and although it took me a bit to adjust to a new and bigger city (editor’s note: the girl is from Houston, but she was a homebody), I was more than happy to explore what Austin has to offer, and that made for an artful weekend!

For many, breakfast is the most important meal of the day, and I don’t steer away from that. Missing home and my parents cooking, I decided to check out the La Yaquesita food truck. With many options to choose from. . . gorditas, tacos, tortas, sopes, and much more, I opted for what my heart most desired . . . chicharron prensado tacos made with freshly made maize tortillas. These delicious and flavorful tacos did not disappoint and were definitely a great start to my morning.

Austin has many historic homes you can visit, but I chose to visit one of the oldest – the Neill-Cochran House Museum – located in the heart of the city. This beautiful structure resembles Greek Architecture visible through the symmetry and use of Doric columns. The home was designed in 1855 by Abner Cook, who was commissioned by a young couple, Washington and Mary Hill , to construct a nice Greek revival home. [Cook is also the architect who designed the Governor’s Mansion and if you have seen them both you can easily see the similarities.]

After becoming the capital of Texas, the City of Austin rapidly expanded, and its economy rose as many wealthy and prominent individuals moved to the city. Before they knew it, the young couple’s dream home was no longer within their means. And despite their attempts to finance the home, they were not able to finish the construction.

Consequently, this home passed to different owners and for different purposes: it was a school for the blind, a hospital during the civil war for soldiers who were recovering from yellow fever and cholera, and a home that was privately owned.

And although it was built as a private home, it didn’t actually become one until 1892, when the Neil family, Colonel Andrew and Jennie, moved to Austin from Galveston and purchased this home for its majestic appearance. During their time in the home, they threw elegant parties, were known for their wine cellar (which is not open to tour), and entertained politicians.

The home was later purchased by Thomas Cochran, and he and his wife, three children, mother, and father-in-law lived in there. Although a large home, I suspect those living arrangements were cramped. The home is furnished with some of their original furnishings and other pieces from the same period.

The first floor consisted of a double parlor (where weddings took place throughout the history of the home), a French parlor, kitchen, and a dining room. The second floor consisted of all the bedrooms and a balcony, although safety concerns precluded public access.

My favorite part of the the house was the double parlor. Upon walking into the room you are welcomed by a grand space and a portrait of Mary Cochran Bohls. The room had a beautiful chandelier hanging from the ceiling, dainty lace curtains, fancy sofas, a kids trojan horse, and an absolutely beautiful melodeon (organ like piano). I was blessed to be able to hear a tune out of this piano as the staffer there showed us how it worked. As you made your way around the house you could see portraits of family members, the floral themed carpets that would have been installed during Thomas Cochran’s time, as well as servants’ entries. As I explored the bedrooms, I was amazed to learn about their stories, the similarity in toys/ dolls that they grew up with and the ones that I did, and to see the tiny shoes they used to wear.

On my way out of the home, I was also able to see the structure originally built for slaves, but which mostly served as servants’ quarters.

I then ventured off to the Umlauf Sculpture Garden where I not only admired the sculptures but also attempted to reenact some of them. Charles Umlauf is an American sculptor born to French and German immigrants. His work varied from expressionism to abstraction, while also utilizing different materials: wood, terra cotta, cast stone, rich bronzes, luminous marbles. Within the garden there was a mix of his work: sculptures of animals, religious and mythological figures, family groupings, etc. Although it is small, it is quite intimate and allows you to have fun with friends and family.

It was a nice follow up to the Neill-Cochran House Museum and a nice segue to Zilker Park, where I played frisbee and enjoyed the nice weather.

Although I had many other interesting adventures throughout my Austin internship, this occurred early in the semester, when it was still possible to relax a bit and learn as much as possible in the process.

Of course, just working the session in Austin is an adventure, and although my opportunities for relaxation declined over the course of the 140 days, the adventure and the learning never did!

“Under A Texas Sky” with Photographer Derrick Birdsall

by Olivia Discon

Derrick Birdsall, the current director of the Sam Houston Memorial Museum, is a photographer who seeks to capture remote landscapes with the vivacity of the context behind them. Birdsall’s “Under the Texas Sky” exhibition is now on display at the Wynne Home, and I had the privilege to both assist and attend the opening reception on May 23, 2023.

Despite the severe weather, there were several people in attendance. Those who arrived early had the opportunity to mingle and treat themselves to some refreshments provided by the Friends of the Wynne.

Beginning with a brief opening statement, Cultural Services Manager Sarah Faulkner spoke about a few upcoming events that the Wynne Home is hosting, as well as introduced the man of the hour.

Derrick encouraged the attendees to take photos of what interests them in line with the moment, without influences of technology or trends. Many of the pictures that are on display are the result of exploring what was “just around the corner”, with incredible scenic landscapes as a result.

Throughout the reception, we were able to ask Derrick questions about any particular work and the story behind it. One discussion that particularly fascinated me was “Scratch That Itch”: a charming picture of a herd of bison at Caprock Canyons State Park. At first glance, I wouldn’t have assumed the significance of the herd outside of its ideal placement in front of the canyons. However, with the guidance of the photographer himself, I was able to grasp how remarkable it was! The Goodnight Herd is one of the oldest-living domesticated bison, who were restored from near-extinction and returned to their native land. The perspective of a photographer with great historical knowledge captivates the viewers to not only gain the insight of the photo itself, but also the historical context.

The gallery was a wonderful way to incite conversations in the community surrounding the art of photography and the natural world. Many thanks to Derrick Birdsall for sharing his stories and photographs, and to the Wynne Home for hosting this exhibition!

Fun On with “Noises Off”

In any given semester, LEAP Ambassadors do volunteer service, attend presentation by leading public figures, tour art museums, explore civil rights and history, and, when possible, attend performing arts events. This semester was no different and, in fact, the Ambassadors began the semester with Chicago and they ended it with a performance of Noises Off at the Owen Theatre in Conroe, TX.

This was a rare treat for us, in that none of us had ever been to the Owen Theatre before, although several of our party had seen Noises Off. Indeed, Victoria McClendon was attending tonight as an alum, but her very first LEAP event was a production of this play at SHSU in 2016!

This time, in addition to Victoria, we had Olivia Discon, Professor Yawn and Ms. Stephanie, and Dr. Hyman and Carol Hyman–the latter of whom generously treated us to dinner!

Noises Off is a full-on farce, a play within a play about putting on a play.

It is a crowd pleaser, but with all its moving parts, and it’s abrupt changes in persona from each character, and its frantic pace, it’s also a difficult play to put on, especially for a community theatre. But the Owen actors did a fine job, with Jillian Linton (as Brooke Ashton), Robert Faber (as Lloyd Dallas), Jeff Linton (as Sheldon Mowbray), and Allen Dorris (as Frederick Fellowes) standing out.

The first act of the play shows a rehearsal, one that is not going well, much to the chagrin of the director, “Lloyd Dallas.”

The second act depicts the opening, albeit from “behind the stage.” The real audience (us) is not seeing what the imaginary audience sees; rather, we are seeing the drama, spectacle, and chaos going on behind the scenes.

The third act, which is the most madcap, puts the real audience (us) in the perspective of the imaginary audience, allowing us to see how much of an impact the behind-the-scenes drama is having on stage.

Apparently, it’s not easy to put on a play in general, and especially when there are two separate love triangles (and maybe a love quadrangle) occurring, along with a cast that includes a drunk, a dimwit (or two), and a gossip. But those difficulties make for a fun time for the audience, and helped produce much laughter and enjoyment for the LEAP Ambassadors to cap off a long and rewarding semester.

Lunch with the Chancellor: Texas State University Systems Recognizes System Interns

by Yvette Mendoza

We can think of no better way for the Sam Houston State University interns to conclude the 88th legislative session–with a delightful lunch hosted by the Chancellor of the Texas State University System, Brian McCall. The event provided a wonderful opportunity for the SHAIP interns to connect with other legislative interns in the System and reflect on how TSUS played a significant role in our internship experience.

The O. Henry Hall, located in the heart of downtown Austin is where TSUS is located. Although it is not the first time we had visited this historic building, we were again impressed by its stunning architecture and historic halls. The warm welcome from TSUS Chancellor McCall and Vice-Chancellor Sean Cunningham further added to the fantastic experience.

Lunch was flawlessly organized, allowing us to enjoy our meal while connecting with the Texas State University legislative interest. Learning about how TSU runs its legislative internship program and hearing about the future plans after the session ends was an enlightening experience. It was interesting to note that a majority of the interns were either graduating this semester from Texas State or Sam Houston, with many planning to pursue a master’s degree at the Lyndon B Johson School of Public Affairs or attending law school.

The lunch provided an excellent opportunity to reflect on the entirety of the session and how TSUS played a crucial role in making it a memorable experience. Looking back on the various event that TSUS hosted, such as the unforgettable performance of Dwight Yoakam that featured a special tribute to the Texas House Speaker Dade Phelan.

In addition, we realized how much we have grown and learned since the first lunch we had with the TSUS team.

The lunch concluded with all of the interns expressing our gratitude and appreciation for TSUS’s consistent support. We felt honored to represent TSUS at the Texas State Capitol, and the internship would not have been as successful without the support of TSUS.

On behalf of the LEAP Ambassadors and SHAIP, we would like to extend our heartfelt thanks for TSUS’s unwavering support and assistance in our growth as students who are part of the magnificent Texas State University System.

Austin: Inside & (Especially) Outside the Capitol!

Morgan Robertson

My first month and a half in Austin has been filled with learning and trying new things-but not all of my new experiences have happened in the beautiful state Capitol. In an effort to take advantage of the great outdoor spaces that Austin has, I learned to paddle board on The Colorado River! With LEAP, and on my own, I have enjoyed kayaking and exploring different waterways, but new environments called for new experiences.

Located near the boardwalk at Lady Bird Lake, EpicSUP is known as Austin’s go-to paddle dock with what seems like a whole fleet of paddle boards and kayaks. Daniel, who has worked with EpicSup for several years, knew that the best way to introduce a novice was to encourage her to simply get on the board and paddle.

I would (and I’m sure many others would as well) classify myself as the least coordinated Ambassador–a thought that I couldn’t quite shake, with no help from the wobbling paddle board beneath me. After a few minutes of getting a feel for the new activity and observing other paddlers on the water I eventually fell into a rhythm and was off!

Even after my first venture on a paddle board, I would argue that it’s easier to balance than a kayak. As with any new activity, each time I’ve paddle boarded it has gotten easier, and I’ve been able to cover more distance. On just my second time out on the river, I paddled about 8 miles in three and a half hours–which included breaks to take photos of the city around me.

My starting (and ending) point is the circle on the bottom right corner of the map and I made it up to Mopac!

On my most recent voyage on the Colorado, I took a detour on Barton Creek which ended up being well worth it! Because of the shallowness of the creek, the clear water showcased flowing plants and even a turtle just beneath the surface.

The Creek seemed to be a great spot for all the local wildlife and Austinites to enjoy the weather. One lesson I have learned from LEAP is that wildlife photography is no easy feat. However, it is even more difficult trying to maneuver and maintain stealth on an 11ft paddle board toward skittish creek dwellers! I was lucky enough to have snapped a few shots of some basking turtles, hunting herons, and even ducks taking flight (despite being the reason for their immediate departure).

The wildlife, expanse of the river, and the beautiful views of the city all amplified my paddle boarding experience, which has, in turn, expanded my Austin experiences as well.

Covering the World with Ioan Grillo (and the World Affairs Council)

By Michelle Cardenas

LEAP students enjoyed another amazing World Affairs Council event, this one featuring author and journalist: Ioan Grillo. During this event, SHSU students and alumni had the opportunity to learn about Grillo and his most recent book titled “Blood, Gun, Money”.

Specializing in crime and drug cartels in Mexico, Grillo delivered an informative and thought-provoking run-down of the drug war the United States is currently battling.

After a brief introduction by Jahan Jafarpour…

…Ioan Grillo and moderator Ronan O’Malley took the stage. The conversation began with a striking question about the fentanyl crisis and its effect on Americans. Grillo explained how fentanyl is one of the deadliest synthetic drugs on the market, and how its potency can be fatal at minuscule doses. Due to its cheap production costs and easy transportation across the border, fentanyl has become extremely accessible and profitable.

Grillo went on to explain how America is experiencing a revolution of illegal drugs that’s killing thousands of people. He compares the current drug revolution to the crack epidemic that took place in the late 1980’s. According to Grillo’s data, the number of current overdoses on Fentanyl is 21 times higher than the number of overdoses on record for 1988, the peak of the crack epidemic. He then discussed the multi-faceted conditions that allow such a crisis, such as corruption in Mexican officials and the strong presence of organized crime.

Ioan Grillo spent much of time discussing the Mexican cartel and its impact on civilians and the United States. A concerning point in this discussion was the amount of heavy weaponry transported to Mexico from the United States. According to Grillo, many gun traffickers have easy access to weapons here in the United States, which they purchase without a paper trail. Due to the violence and cartel wars that have erupted, the journalist mentioned the possibility of naming the different Mexican cartels as foreign terrorist organizations. However, many issues could arise, one of which is the justification of asylum on the border. He concluded by assuring us that the war on drugs and violence is just now beginning, and that the only way to stop this war is government involvement and strict policies.

The conversation then moved on to a Q&A session, where many interesting topics were discussed. Olivia, a fellow LEAP Ambassador, asked a question about the media’s role in raising awareness of drug crises.

We each then had the pleasure to speak to Ioan Grillo after the event and get our books signed…

…as well as learn a little more about his approach to reaching a resolution to end this drug epidemic we are witnessing.

To fit the theme of tonight’s event and the region primarily discussed, we headed to Ninfa’s; a restaurant specializing in Mexican cuisine. We all enjoyed traditional Mexican dishes, including tacos al pastor, mole, and enchiladas de carnitas. Everyone was extremely satisfied with their dishes and enjoyed their flavorful entrees.

This was a great opportunity to get to know SHSU alumni (Victoria McClendon-Leggett and Bianca Saldierna), meet with new students who haven’t done many LEAP events, as well as learn more about the pressing issues affecting our country’s health.

Time in Austin with President White

Jessica Cuevas and Morgan Robertson

As the 88^th legislative session is winding down, I hope I can speak for all SHAIP Interns when I say that I think we’ve gotten the hang of the “Texas Lege”!

And this knowledge came in handy this week when we had the privilege of having lunch with President Alisa White, Dr. McCartney Johnson, and SHSU (and LEAP) alum Ms. Christina Gonzalez.

We were welcomed with open arms and hugs by Dr. White, Dr. Johnson, and Christina, and we filled our plates with yummy tacos from Chuy’s.

Dr. White began by asking us three questions related to our experiences at the Capitol. (1) What most surprised us? (2) What has been the most challenging? (3) What has been the most rewarding? In the time it took us to answer the questions, Dr. White wove in her own advice and thoughts from her experiences.

Although we are all in different offices, many of our experiences have been similar. For many of us, one challenging aspect has been how to interact with concerned or upset constituents. Such interactions force us to think on our feet, be responsive, and to de-escalate what can be stressful situations. Dr. White and Dr. Johnson noted that such interactions will likely be present in all occupations–including Higher Education!.

For Amor, the most surprising element of the internship was how much discretion she is given in her office. Because offices work with a minimum number of staff members, each member has to be capable of–and be trusted to–make good decisions. Amor, for example, frequently attends meetings, writes up talking points, and briefs the staff on legislation. In many ways, this reflects all of our experiences: our offices treat us as staff members and, in some offices, they even treat us like family!

Christina, who served as a LEAP Ambassador and a SHAIP intern–and who has much experience in the political worlds–expressed the importance of networking and ensuring that we establish connections. She stressed that the most important things in the legislature are (1) your work ethic and (2) your reputation.

The lunch concluded with Dr. White gifting us with AWESOME SHSU personalized tumblers!

As we descended from the tenth floor, hearts, and minds full, we walked back into the Capitol ready to take on the last 30 days of session. Sincere thank you to Dr. Johnson for organizing a great lunch, Christina for hosting, and Dr. White for her vibrant energy and curiosity!

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