Sam Houston State University is one of the top law-school feeders in North American. Indeed, it ranks in the top 200 nationally (out of almost 3,000 four-year Universities/Colleges) in sending students to law school. The LEAP Center helps with this, offering dedicated pre-law advising, numerous pre-law activities, and also providing students the opportunity to take a Mock LSAT every semester.
This semester, we had 20 students sign up–and 19 students show up–for a Saturday morning test.
While many may think this is an activity for juniors or seniors, we actually encourage freshmen and sophomores to take the test. One of our goals is to get an idea for how close they are to getting the score they want, so that we can help them develop a study plan to get into an acceptable school or, even better, the school of their choice.
Such tests are supplemented by summer workshops we offer and occasional scholarships we offer so that students might pursue additional help for getting the score they want. This process, in fact, is one of the ways that PLS member, Kaylea King got into Washington University in St. Louis!
The LEAP Ambassadors took an evening trip to the Woodlands to attend yet another fantastic WAC event on Russia’s invasion of Ukraine at the Glades Art Gallery. Walking in, the gallery was stunning to witness as the WAC staff welcomed us. It was a wonderful combination: looking at paintings from local artists while preparing to become more educated on a global issue was a terrific opportunity.
The art on display ranged from portraits and landscapes to statues. A favorite of ours was the Cherry Blossom tree that spread across six canvases by Victor Tapu. Throughout the exhibit, we connected the artwork in the Glade to similar works by renowned Masters; for example, we compared the miniature statue of a ballerina to Edgar Degas.
Moving from the art to learning about the current crisis in another part of the world, we heard from Richard Fontaine, the CEO of the Center for a New American Security, one of the world’s leading defense and geopolitical think tanks. Mr. Fontaine was also a top foreign policy adviser to Senator John McCain.
Dr. Fontaine discussed the horrific battle in Ukraine and how it could signal the start of a new post-Cold War era. Putin’s motive to overtake Ukraine was to prevent their affiliation with NATO, among many other things. The war has affected numerous countries. Poland, for example, was one Ukraine’s most significant trading partners, a relationship that will much limited until the end of the war and perhaps beyond. The war has also increased inflation in the US, while also affecting the oil supply and even food staples such as corn. China, too, is watching the war closely, seeing how it will shift the balance of power in the world and change their massive trade relationships.
One interesting fact we learned is that Ukraine has shattered the Russian government-built encrypted phone lines, compelling the Russian military to use unencrypted lines of communication. Who knew?
Hearing an update on the Ukraine-Russia war from Dr. Fontaine was eye-opening. Seeing how these impacts bordering countries of Ukraine and our homeland is heartbreaking, but this will bring us together and prepare us for future moves that may involve a more significant threat.
As always, the WAC event was enlightening and enjoyable, and we look forward to our next event!
Lama Mediterranean Restaurant
Heather Barodi
After filling our heads with new knowledge about the war in Ukraine, we stopped at Lama to expand on our understanding from outsides our country’s borders at a Mediterranean restaurant located in the Woodlands!
Our appetizers were classic Mediterranean dishes, homemade falafel, and hummus with warm pita bread. Overall, all the food was terrific, but the hummus appetizer we got was the biggest hit among the ambassadors. The entrees ranged from chicken shawarma and gyro sandwiches with sides of rice and french fries. At the end of the meal, our plates were empty from devouring each of our entrees. We had some hot tea and baklava to end our meal, which was a sweet touch to our full stomachs.
Following our spring break and trying to get back in the swing of things, our Pre-Law Society meeting allowed us the opportunity to hear from our peers. As part of the normal business, this meant our President, Heather Noman, having minutes approved and funds moved, but we quickly moved to the main topics.
Heather & Kaylea King took the stage, and told us what they know, what they wish they knew, and other tidbits about applying to law school.
For Kaylea, the timeline was stressful for her. She was a junior when she realized she wanted to go into law. She took the Mock LSAT to get her bearings, and then was selected for the Pre-Law Society Prep Course. With some improvement under her belt, she took the LSAT in August of last year, and was able to get a good score. Armed with that score, she applied and was accepted to several schools.
For Heather, the worst part was the actual LSAT. After not being happy with her performance the first time, she took it again. She had technical difficulties, and that added to her stress, and she also regretted taking an LSAT Prep course during the semester. She recommended taking the prep course and doing the bulk of the studying over the summer and taking the LSAT in August.
Both encouraged students to sign up for an LSAT account as soon as possible, if they haven’t already.
Heather spread a broad net, applying to many schools as she awaits her score. Kaylea applied to nine, using the 3-3-3 strategy: apply to 3 reach schools, 3 schools at which you are competitive, and 3 safety schools. Ultimately, she chose the University of Washington Law School in Saint Louis, MO, which is ranked 16th in the country. Kaylea got a good feel from the school, they are ranked highly, and the people were nice.
For freshmen, Kaylea and Heather recommended not getting too intense in terms of studying. Crossword puzzles, sudoku, other logic-related games and, of course, reading can be helpful.
For juniors, the time is more urgent, and having a rigorous self-study plan or formal LSAT Prep course is essential.
In terms of personal statements, Kaylea suggested being honest and genuine, and letting the school get a sense of the real you. In terms of letters of recommendation, Heather suggested getting a professor, one you have a great relationship with. Taking courses in which the professor can evaluate you across numerous assignments and diverse types of assignments and getting to know the professor outside of class are key in getting a good letter.
After providing these excellent tips, Heather moved on to some upcoming events and our next meeting. With this hearty welcome back from Spring Break, we adjourned the meeting.
On Saturday, the LEAP ambassadors and volunteers were able to participate in the Wynne Home’s annual Easter Celebration! The event is filled with many games and crafts, such as sand art, face painting, painting magnets, an egg toss, sack races, and more. The event had the added fun of a visit from the Easter Bunny!
Our day started early at 8:30 a.m., when we met with Wynne Home staff Sarah Faulkner, Angela Robinson, and Peyton Conley to assist them with preparations. We hid 1,800 eggs…
….set up the prize tables, the sack race, ring tosses, sidewalk chalk, selfie station, and crafts.
Shortly before the scheduled kickoff, we got an influx of volunteers from the Center for Community Engagement: Sara Burchett, Taylor Morrison, and Bram Sebio-Brundage…
…as well as some of our friends, Isabel Behm and Jocelyn Vazquez.
The Easter bunny made his surprise appearance around 11 a.m. ready to take pictures and even dance with a few ambassadors and volunteers.
The selfie station is always a hit…
…as was the face-painting station.
Everyone was a bit skeptical of the sack races at first, but after a demonstration/ completion between Center of Community Engagement volunteers and LEAP Ambassadors, the lines began forming! The adults might have even enjoyed the sack races more than the children.
After numerous activities, it was finally time for the Easter egg hunt. And when we “opened the gates,” the kids almost ran over us!
After the initial flurry, however, things calmed down and almost all the kids ended up with a bucketful of eggs.
Of course, the crafts table stayed busy, and…
…people also could just relax on the grounds.
Around 12:45 p.m., families were leaving, and kids were getting their last-minute face paint or coloring page. The kids were tired, worn out from their busy morning!
While we were cleaning, the ambassadors and volunteers decided to start smashing the eggs on each other’s heads with the extra ones. Needless to say, there was a lot of confetti tracked into our cars.
The ambassadors and the volunteers would like to thank the Wynne Home for having us help with this event again and we look forward to doing this again next year!
Capitalizing on the hard work of Professor Kurt Smith with the Political Science department, the LEAP Ambassadors and Jocelyn Vazquez recently enjoyed a short but informative lunch with Judge Jamie Rene Roman and Dr. Kurt Smith, learning about law, politics, and life.
Judge Roman served as a Judge in California after being appointed by Governor Arnold Schwarzenegger. He has also worked for the Texas Department of Criminal Justice (TDCJ). Although Judge Roman acquired his J.D. from the University of California, Hastings College of Law, he continued his education after law school at Boston University to obtain his L.L.M, allowing him to specialize in International Banking law!
Upon entering the room, Judge Roman began his greetings and empowered us with his experience as a young attorney working. As we talked about our career goals and what would be next after we graduated from SHSU, Judge Roman, Dr. Kurt Smith and the LEAP members began to unravel the packaged deli sandwiches catered by Aramark for our small group lunch.
Stressing the importance of education and a great work ethic in law school, Judge Roman advised us on what to look out for once we begin our careers and what to expect in law school.
His advice for not only law school, but the LSAT gaged us to have a deeper understanding of the importance of what steps are needed to go to the law schools that we want.
Judge Roman discussed the hardships that he faced in his career as he witnessed the dynamic yet bitter truth about family law and shared with us how busy every day would be with the incoming cases. He shared his insights regarding any questions we had, some of which related to the BAR exam for California and how it compared to the Texas Bar exam.
We also asked Judge Roman questions relating to the difference in court structures in California and in Texas. Judge Roman explained how he got a good grounding in the law by rotating, spending two years as a judge in one type of court, two years in another, and four years in another. This gave him the kind of all-around foundation that we one day hope to achieve.
On behalf of the LEAP Ambassadors , a big thank you to Judge Roman for taking the time to speak with us and and offer advice, and another thank you to Dr. Smith for setting up such a meeting. And Thank you for visiting SHSU!
Our first morning in Oklahoma began with an early start as we made our way toward Norman, Oklahoma. University of Oklahoma College of Law is located just a mile away from the main campus. As we got closer to the University it was clear what buildings were OU, as they were architecturally cohesive–and they were helpfully labeled.
As we walked toward the school of Law Building–admiring all the fall colors and weather–we were greeted by Dean Kathleen Guzman, and the Director of Technology of Innovation, Kevin Brice. After we introduced ourselves and explained that we are SHSU students touring for the first time, Dean Guzman introduced herself and explained that she walked the campus every Friday morning, talking to the students, asking how things were going, and seeing if there were any concerns. And we thought, what a nice place to be!
We then met one of our tour guides, Maddie Farris, the Associate Director of Admissions, who welcomed us and introduced us to Grayson, a 2L and mentor at the school. As we ventured further into the Law School we asked Grayson questions about her experiences at OU, which she happily answered!
The first room we saw was the library. We learned OU Law is the only law school that is an Apple distinguished Campus. The school’s emphasis on technology is apparent when you look around the computer lab, equipped with dual monitors, VR stimulators and other technological advances. Study rooms can be found almost at every turn in the school. Grayson showed us her favorite places to study and prepare for class as we made our way to the reading room.
The reading room spanning the width of the building was lined with tables and was flooded with natural light from the massive windows on either side. This was my favorite room in the library, and we all found it to be a very photogenic spot.
As we wrapped up the tour, we thanked Maddie and Grayson for their help…
…and spent the rest of the time admiring OU’s beautiful campus, which included similarly beautiful buildings, rooms, and some fun and surprising art–including works by Allen Hauser, Jesus Moroles, and James Surls.
Fred Jones Jr. Museum of Art
Erin Juarez
Speaking of art, Fred Jones Jr. Museum of Art definitely caught our eyes. This museum contains art and artifacts from the sixteenth century to the present. The Fred Jones Museum also acts as a comparison to the museum we visited the night before and similarly contains art from all over the world.
As we were making our way to the museum, we began to spot pieces from our favorite artists: Jesus Moroles….
…and James Surls.
As graduates of SHSU and Texans, we were happy to see how well known these two are outside of Texas.
In the museum, we saw more work by James Surls, most impressive of which was the stand-alone flower shape that can be viewed from all angles.
We expanded our knowledge as learn more about different types of cultures and artists. For instance, Saara and I saw a Monet art piece for the very first time, and we began to recognize his style of impressionism.
I was able to recall who Georgia O’Keeffe was based on her style and motifs, and found that I prefer her work.
O’Keeffe began by painting her family, then expanded to flowers, landscapes, and bones. This is what makes her unique from other artists, her flowers are usually big with vivid colors, but her favorite theme is, interestingly enough, cow skulls.
Saara’s favorite piece was the painting that hung in the model of the Jones’ house which was a Vincent Van Gogh work entitled Portrait of Alexander Reid.
We recognized it as a Van Gogh, based on his style, right away. We also learned more about the different types of impressionism and post-impressionism,. including pointillism.
Learning more about art found on Oklahoma University’s campus was a true insight to what the University holds as values.
Greek House
Yvette Mendoza
Driving through the great college town of Norman, Oklahoma we ate at what might, at first glance, be a dive Mediterranean restaurant: the Greek House. But behind the small storefront and limited menu were massive portions and a world of flavor! As you walk in, it is impossible to miss the four rotating skewers of gyro meat that we later learned is used in almost every meal.
The hummus and chip appetizer tasted organic and fresh. The contrast of the warm, fried pita bread’s crunchy texture to the cool and tart hummus dip, enticed us even further to try more food. Morgan even commented that this was her favorite hummus that she has had. Each bite was authentic and flavorful.
The main entrees were overflowing with gyro meat, and our appetite grew much more. Everyone except for myself ordered sandwiches packed with gyro meat, spices, tomatoes, onions, and tzatziki sauce. I, on the other hand, ordered the gyro plate, which consisted of the same ingredients as the sandwich but had a much larger portion. The gyro plate also came with French fries and a salad to complement the dish.
The table grew increasingly quieter as we began getting full of all the delicious food. The LEAP members absolutely loved it, and it served as vital fuel for our wonderful day of tours and museums ahead of us.
Starting off day one of our TEXOMA tour, LEAP members Saara Maknojia, Erin Juarez, Yvette Mendoza, and I began our way towards Oklahoma City. We first made an exciting and knowledge-filled stop at the Amon Carter Museum of American Art. The museum is located in downtown Fort Worth and fits in well with the surrounding architecture and the aesthetic of the city.
The most captivating piece upon entering the museum was a massive James Surls piece titled Seven-by-Seven.
This was, for all of us, the first time to see a Surls’ piece (outside of SHSU) in person, and it was jaw-dropping! One of the things that made this so exciting is that we had a chance to meet Surls, and he was very gracious, signing some photos of his work we had produced.
Continuing through the foyer was a Daniel Chester French sculpture titled Benediction. This work of art was one of my favorites throughout the museum. French’s work often included winged women; however, he is most popular for the sculpture of Abraham Lincoln at the Lincoln Memorial in Washington D.C.
The Amon Carter Museum is also home to one of the largest collections of Frederic Remington artworks.
Remington’s western-themed work often depicts a cowboy in action, or wildlife commonly found in the west. When walking through his exhibit you are captivated by the western scenes coming to life at different times of the day.
The featured collection was “Imagined Realism: Scott and Stuart Gentling.” Yvette found her favorite piece in this collection by Scott Gentling titled Viola, Cello since she herself plays the cello. Accordingly, she was able to make a personal connection with the musical form. The collection spanned many different topics from instruments, portraits, and landscapes.
Commissioned for the Amon Carter Museum is the Plexus No. 34 by Gabriel Dawe; this suspended piece created out of thread gives viewers different perspectives from every angle. This quickly became Erin’s favorite piece, as she spent several minutes photographing different angles to see the different colors you see as you move around it.
We were also introduced to Thomas Moran, a landscape artist. Most well-known for his work featuring the national parks, Moran’s pieces seem to transport the viewer into the scenic landscape. We saw pieces he’s painted of Yellowstone and the Grand Canyon that were brought to life. Saara found Green River Cliffs to be her favorite because of the incorporation of nature in the art. We enjoyed his work and other works by landscape artists.
My other favorite exhibit in the museum was the Anila Quayyum Agha: A Beautiful Despair.
This exhibit was made from a mix of media, light, and shadows. Also beautiful was Agha’s Liminal Space.
We also saw another successful and renowned female artist, Georgia O’Keeffe, and found her to be easily identifiable with her floral and abstract art.
Interestingly, we saw a work by John Rogers, which is notable because one of our first events as LEAP Ambassadors was to see an exhibit on John Rogers at the Sam Houston Memorial Museum.
Another of our early events involved seeing a Picasso-Calder exhibit at the Museum of Fine Arts Houston, so it was particularly nice we got to see a Calder sculpture at Amon Carter.
And, rounding out our knowledge, we were able to see several paintings by Grant Wood and other Regionalist painters.
As the first stop on our trip, we found it to be intriguing as we all got to see new artists and expand our mental collection of art. We are ready to see what Oklahoma has waiting for us on this exciting trip!
Velvet Taco
November 11, 2021, Yvette Mendoza
As the LEAP Ambassadors finished viewing the beautiful artwork at the Amon Carter Museum, we were ready to eat! Before we left Fort Worth to continue our road trip to Oklahoma the only thing on our mind was tacos. Trying out Velvet Taco in downtown Fort Worth was the perfect spot!
The tacos were all unique in their own way, from an assortment of different meats and tortillas garnished with sauce, it made the perfect tacos. Our orders consisted of Chicken tacos that came in three different forms the buffalo chicken, rotisserie chicken, and even a chicken and waffle. We also had a taste of Tennessee with the Nashville hot tofu and the grilled salmon fish taco.
To top everything off, each taco had its own topping that truly complimented it. For our chicken tacos we had either house buffalo sauce, roasted corn pico, queso, napa slaw, or citrus lime crema.
We were left satisfied, and ready to head North to continue our trip!
Last Wednesday, 13 students had the opportunity to participate in a sit-down session with Nancy Bocskor. She is known nationally and internationally for being a “Democracy Coach” and a servant to the community. In addition, Ms. Bocskor is a board member of an organization known as Running Start, which encourages young women to run for office, aspire to executive positions, or otherwise gain a “seat at the table.”
The 13 of us were thrilled to sit down with Ms. Bocskor and pick her brain on the many things that interest us. Of note, early in her professional career, she worked with Newt Gingrich, who would later become Speaker of the House. By the time she was in her mid-20s, she was his Legislative Director. She stressed the importance of taking risks, something that we, as women, might not have been socialized to do. But sometimes getting out of your comfort zone is the only way to take opportunities, something she did when moving from Ohio to Washington, DC.
Bocskor’s involvement in politics extends to the non-profit world, where she is active on many boards. One of those is Running Start, which provides funding (with the help of Walmart) to young women for interning in Washington, DC. This semester-long program pairs female students with women in Congress (House and Senate), and provides leadership workshops on Fridays. Over the years, SHSU has had three students picked for this program, including two in the same year–the only time in the program’s history that two students have been selected from the same University.
Anne Jamarik and Megan Chapa: Running Start DC Fellows
Ms. Bocskor suggested we apply to the program, as well–something we are looking into, with our newfound tolerance of risk!
One of the biggest takeaways from our meeting with Nancy Bocskor came from Shaylee Ritter’s questions. “How do you make yourself stand out from the rest?” and “how do you make personal connections with someone you barely know?” Bockskor’s response was to be engaged in the conversation, which will allow students to ask interesting questions. The more engaged you are, the deeper you’ll be able to think about the topics. The deeper you are thinking, the more likely you are to ask new questions. These questions will allow you to connect with the professional, while also providing you with interesting information.
Bocskor’s perspective was valuable because there isn’t a faculty member on SHSU’s campus with her background. We were able to get more of a practitioner’s perspective, while also just getting practical life advice. Many thanks to Ms. Bocskor for returning to SHSU to help out young women!
Center for Law, Engagement, and Politics 