Tag: LEAP Ambassadors

Surls’ Swirls Come to the Wynne Home

By Megan Chapa

James Surls, the American Modern artist and SHSU alum, opened a show at the Wynne Home Arts Center on Saturday, November 5, 2016.  The event attracted more than 100 visitors, with the opening reception sponsored by the Friends of the Wynne and staffed by the LEAP Ambassadors.

Wynne Home Arts Center, Karla Rosales, Kaitlyn Tyra

“Wynne Home exhibit openings are always fun,” noted LEAP President Alejandra Galvan, “but this one, involving James Surls, was a special honor.”

It was a sentiment shared by many of those who attended the opening reception.

Wynne Home Arts Center, LEAP Ambassadors, SHSU

James Surls graduated from SHSU in 1965 with his Bachelors in Arts, and from Cranbrook Academy of Art with his MFA in 1968.  His distinctive style, often marked by wooden or bronze flower petals, is often described as “organic.”

James Surls, Wynne Home Arts Center, LEAP Center, SHSU

Included in the Wynne Home exhibit was a combination of Surls’ sculptures and sketches, both of which elicited praise from the opening night’s visitors.

“We have seen Surls’ work at many museums,” noted LEAP Ambassador Megan Chapa, “but we haven’t seen his smaller pieces, and we have never had the chance to meet him, so this was nice!”

Surls was personable, speaking for about 15 minutes and explaining some of the pieces in the show.  He divided them into feminine and masculine pieces, with the feminine pieces being more curved; the masculine pieces being more angular.  He also spoke of his love for his wife, and how it has impacted his art.

James Surls, Wynne Home Arts Center, LEAP Center, SHSU

Following his discussion, Mr. Surls was nice enough to sign some photos of his work that we brought to the show.  He graciously did so, while chatting comfortably with us.

James Surls, LEAP Ambassadors, SHSU, Wynne Home Arts Center

The exhibit will stay up for six months, twice the usual length of a show.  In the past, the Wynne Home has had exhibits featuring David Adickes, Jesus Moroles, Ken Zonker, and Stanley Lea.

The Wynne Home also offers art classes to the public in the Fall, Spring, and Summer.  The classes include topics as diverse as classic film, salsa dancing, oil painting, and cooking.  The Wynne Home is open Tuesday through Saturday, and admission is free.

The LEAP Ambassadors would like to thank Wynne Home Director Linda Pease, Friends of the Wynne President Nancy Gaertner,  Friends of the Wynne Vice President Genevive Brown, and the entire Friends of the Wynne board for the opportunity to assist.  And, of course, we’d like to thank Mr. James Surls for his art and for his appearance in Huntsville, Texas.

 

Food on Ice in OKC

Our second day in OKC was a busy one, but that didn’t prevent us from enjoying some food and fun in this Southern/Midwestern city.  In fact, we had a chance to explore Bricktown, Guatemalan food, and even ice skate!

Café Kacao (Ashley Allen)

For lunch we decided to try out some authentic Guatemalan food at Café Kacao. Before being seated, however, we waited outside the restaurant chatting, a result of the eatery’s popularity. This wait, a bit lengthy, was worth it. The music was upbeat and the interior was very colorful.

Looking at the menu, we were mystified by the many options we had before us. Drinks alone were provided by lot of different choices, from juices, to Mexican sodas, and specialty drinks like the Horchata latte ( a sweet mixture of rice milk, vanilla, cinnamon and coffee). In the end, we ordered Migallas, cochinito pibil, adobada, and even crab pupusas.

Cafe Kacao, OK City, LEAP Center, SHSU

Ashely’s favorite dish, the Migallas, was a breakfast dish composed of scrambled eggs, various vegetables, Pico Del Gallo and crushed tortilla chips mixed together, accompanied by a small fruit cup and black beans. The plate was so delicious that she practically wiped it clean, a feat that has eluded many of us during this feast-filled-trip.

Bricktown Brewery  (Ashley)

For dinner, we ventured into the city’s river walk. Following the foot steps of the Sooners, or at least the direction of Paul Moor’s sculptures, we began our trek to the Land Run Monument. With friendly chatter and a shining skyline, we followed the soft, rippling river, and before we knew it, we had reached the city’s Bricktown District.

The historically industrial district turned social district, with it’s bright lights, quirky sights, and lively music, was eye candy so as to make us hungry. After walking a lap around the square, where we saw a Mickey Mantle statue…

Mickey Mantle, Bricktown, OK City, SHSU, LEAP Center

…and even a statue of Sisyphus…

Sisyphus, OK City, SHSU, LEAP Center

…we stopped by a restaurant called the Bricktown Brewery. It was  different from the other places that we had eaten during the trip, strictly because it wasn’t an authentic, ethnic-based restaurant. The majority of the group ordered different pizza pies to share amongst ourselves. Ryan’s favorite was the combination pizza which had morning sausage, pepperoni, and ham, topped with additional mushrooms, onions, and bell peppers. The experience here was excellent and if ever in Bricktown again we would definitely go straight to this great establishment. As Ashley commented “every place we’ve eaten in Oklahoma has been such a great experience, and I really appreciate the exposure to the different cultures and the food that goes with them!”

Slipping Through the Ice Rink (Ryan)

After our meal, we walked the few blocks to the Myriad Botanical Gardens, where we took advantage of their skating rink. With Professor Yawn’s instructions all of the LEAPsters and Ryan laced up and took to the ice.

Devon Ice Rink, OK City, SHSU, LEAP Center

Although it was a small rink, it seemed to take some of us forever to make a full lap, whether it be because we were holding onto the rails or we couldn’t seem to get any momentum.

Devon Ice Rink, OK City, SHSU, LEAP Center

Some us, however, performed our very best skating abilities. For example, Brian accidentally did his best impression of Charlie Chaplin while sliding and slipping through the ice.

Devon Ice Rink, OK City, SHSU, LEAP Center

He would seem to fall for about ten seconds and then catch himself on the railing in a cool and relaxed position as if nothing had happened. We only stayed for a little while, as the air grew colder and our feet began to ache. It was unclear as to the professor’s motivation to bring us to the rink, whether it was to expose us to a sport we seldom have a chance to practice or for his own amusement to look at us fall and tumble.

Perhaps his absence at the rink was indication to the latter hypothesis.

Devon Ice Rink, OK City, SHSU, LEAP Center

Ashley, Ryan, and Kaitlyn proved the best skaters…

Devon Ice Rink, OK City, SHSU, LEAP Center

…and Ashley and Ryan even raced, with Ryan’s longer legs providing the edge.

Devon Ice Rink, OK City, SHSU, LEAP Center

No matter the falls on the ice, we all had ice-loads of fun. With iced backs (from those that had fallen on the ring), we walked back to the car and headed back to the hotel. As a day well spent in learning, exploration, and vigorous sport, we welcomed our bed with a tired, melancholy sigh, for tomorrow would be our last day of our Texoma Adventure.

 

Double, Double, LEAP & Trouble: Scare on the Square

By Christina Perez

Ring after ring flew from their hands, aimed at the point of a witch’s hat. Three at the floor, one hitting the mark, and one hitting a human hotdog. But alas, at least one hat had been hooped around by the ring and was merit for a prize of chalk or bubbles. Why so much scary, carnival fun at the square? Why, it was the annual Huntsville Scare on the Square.

Scare on the Square, LEAP Ambassadors, SHSU, Huntsville Main Street

Last Saturday the LEAP Center hosted a booth at Scare on the Square. Scare on the Square is an annual Halloween event sponsored by The Huntsville Main Street Program. About 40 different businesses, schools, and local organizations host games and activities for community children. Scare on the Square is sponsored by local businesses and it is a safe atmosphere for families to enjoy themselves.

Scare on the Square, LEAP Ambassadors, SHSU, Huntsville Main Street

If you are creative and wear a costume it will spare you from having to pay the entrance fee of one dollar. Embracing this costume-wearing practice, the LEAP students arrived in a variety of costumes themselves from Minnie Mouse to Charlie Chaplin.

Scare on the Square, LEAP Ambassadors, SHSU, Huntsville Main Street

With weeks of anticipation prior to Scare on the Square, the LEAP center engineering team (aka a few of the LEAPsters) designed a game built to increase levels of happiness to the maximum. In the end, we created the “Witch’s Hat Ring Toss.” Similar to a bean bag toss, it required the competitor to loop hat dressed cones with a pool ring. Let’s just say that hand-eye coordination was important in order to successfully master this enchanted game.

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With smiling faces, all the children (and even some LEAPsters) patiently waited in line to play, ready to ring one or two witch hats.

Scare on the Square, LEAP Ambassadors, SHSU, Huntsville Main Street

We had a few future athletes who knew at exactly what angle to throw the rings. Yet even more children measured wind speed, warmed up their best throwing arm, made their marks, and walked right up to the cones to place the ring into the hat.

Scare on the Square, LEAP Ambassadors, SHSU, Huntsville Main Street

In between handing out rings and giving out candy, we amused ourselves by noticing the creative Spidermen, Pikachus, Elsas, Super Girls (we even had our own superwoman!), as well as some actually frightening costumes.

Scare on the Square, LEAP Ambassadors, SHSU, Huntsville Main Street

But even more rewarding was the look on their faces when they looped a hat (without cheating).

With the LEAP center’s 1800 pieces of candy gone, we packed our tent and witchy game satisfied with the 400 plus jolly children that had visited us. We are grateful for the sponsors and coordinators of these events that allow us to interact with the community!

Scare on the Square, LEAP Ambassadors, SHSU, Huntsville Main Street

Citizenship and Engagement: Being an Informed Voter

As a public service to the community, the Walker County Republican Women hosted a “candidates’ forum” on Monday night, inviting candidates at all levels and of all stripes to meet the public. With five minutes to discuss their intentions and platform and an almost unlimited time to mingle, the forum provided a key service to the voting public.

stivers_ambassadors

The Walker County Hospital District candidates were the first to speak. With three positions up for election and six candidates running for the position, the meet and greet was important to decide on who to elect this November. Two of the candidates currently serve on the board while the other four are seeking election for the first time. This was an informative meeting; we learned about the important distinction between the Walker County Hospital District Board and the Huntsville Memorial Hospital Board. The Hospital Board is a board of directors composed of community leaders who oversee the broad direction of the Hospital. The Hospital District Board, on the other hand, is made up of elected officials responsible for overseeing the District, its finances, its physical structures, and its health care.  Although this latter district has the ability to tax, such revenues only make up a small portion of the hospital’s overall revenues.

The Huntsville City Council candidates also participated with their own five-minute overviews.  They also engaged in a Q&A by the audience, and addressed the bond election.  The voters of Huntsville will decide on three bond propositions:

  • Proposition One: Improve Public Safety Facilities (not to exceed 31,000,000)
  • Proposition Two: Improve City Service Facilities (not to exceed 24,000,000)
  • Proposition Three: Improve City Waterworks and Sewer Facilitiies (not to exceed 73,000,000)

With these weighty matters on our minds, we thanked the Republican Women for organizing the event, and we exited pondering upcoming decisions.

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Tailgating with CHSS for Homecoming

Nonstop chanting filled the backstreets of SHSU as the community gathered for the 2016 Homecoming tailgate. As the first college tailgating experience for most of the LEAP students, we took on the crowds of students, parents, fans, pets, and Huntsville community members. The College of Humanities and Social Sciences (also known on campus as CHSS) kindly allowed the LEAP Ambassadors to join their tailgate celebration.

tailgating_4

As volunteers, our duties were simple; set up and help pass out food.

tailgating_1

We passed out over 1,200 chicken wings and they went fast! Many lined up to win a prize from the CHSS booth and get a sample of the savory wings. Although hot and crowded, the tailgate was a fun experience. Dean Abbey Zink and Associate Deans Rhonda Callaway along with Jerry Bruce also joined our pre-game celebration. It was great to see the community and faculty come together for our homecoming game against Abilene Christian University.

tailgating_3

After our shift with CHSS ended, many of the LEAP students explored the other booths to scout out their prizes and food. We ate pizza, turkey legs, sausage wraps, popcorn, and topped it off with some sweet tea. Various booths blared music and gave free SHSU merchandise. These school spirited trinkets and momentos where used to represent our school at the game which had begun right after the festivities. The chants continued all the way to victory against ACU (48-21). The LEAP Ambassadors are always happy to try new things, especially when it involves delicious food, fun football, and volunteerism!

chss_tailgating_karla_alex