by Chrissy Biello
Huntsville, Texas is known for its strong sense of community and its commitment to serving others. The Huntsville Rotary Club is, of course, no different. It is made up of individuals who contribute to what makes the community thrive. That is why the SHSU Center for Law, Engagement, and Politics was honored to be invited as the guest presenters at a recent Wednesday Rotary meeting by President Michelle Spencer.
The meeting began with traditional Rotary formalities, including member greetings and introductions. Notable attendees included former Huntsville Mayor Jane Monday, who previously served as chair of the Texas State University System Board of Regents and as Texas Public Commissioner to the Southern Association of Colleges and Schools.
Also present were Rhonda Ellisor Smith, Director of the SHSU Small Business Development Center; Darren Williams, Chemistry Professor at Sam Houston State University; Vance Howard, CEO of Howard Capital Management, and Rotary President Michelle Spencer…
…who also serves as CEO of the Huntsville Boys & Girls Club.
During the meeting, Brad Sherman presented the “brag bucket,” allowing members to recognize achievements or introduce guests.
Mayor Humphrey introduced his guest, Tommy Harris, a member of the Huntsville Planning Commission.
Then, Terri Coleman, a local real estate agent, proudly displayed a check from the Vance and Karen Howard Foundation, which matched funds raised at the recent Rotary WineQuest event.
The combined total reached an impressive $102,000 to donate to local nonprofit organizations!
Also celebrated was the induction of Joel Starkey, the newest Rotary member.
Sponsored by Brad Sherman, Starkey received his official Rotary pin during a brief ceremony conducted by President Spencer.
Professor Mike Yawn then opened the LEAP presentation by introducing the program and the ambassadors in attendance. Of the six current ambassadors, three are based in Huntsville, while the other three are working in the Texas Legislature during the 89th session.
He went on to explain that the main focus of the LEAP program is to help students grow, and through that growth, benefit the community.
Highlighted were several of the Center’s initiatives, such as hosting the Texas Tenth Court of Appeals at SHSU and inviting distinguished guests like Judge Alberto Gonzales to speak to students. These opportunities not only broaden the ambassadors’ understanding but also benefit a wider group of individuals, as many events are open to those outside the organization, and sometimes, the university.
Additionally, the presentation touched on how the organization maintains institutional memory from year to year. When volunteering for community events, experienced members train new ones, easing the burden on event organizers and ensuring continuity. New members, in turn, know they will be the ones training others in the future.
A particularly meaningful part of the presentation was the discussion of LEAP’s long-running partnership with the Huntsville Public Library to support local immigrants preparing for the U.S. citizenship test. Gregoria McGuire, who recently earned her citizenship with the assistance of the program, spoke to the Rotarians about what becoming a citizen means to her.
Despite having passed the test, she still attends the weekly Tuesday classes, takes notes, and stays fully engaged–a clear sign of how much it means to her.
To close, LEAP emphasized that while the program includes a focus on law and politics, its mission extends further. The words “Engagement” and “and” are central to its identity. LEAP aims to foster a broader understanding of the world through diverse experiences. Olivia, for example, shared that she has now visited 75 museums through LEAP; this is an especially significant achievement given that she had never been to one before joining the program.
After the presentation, it was time for the weekly raffle. Brad Sherman mentioned that since there was a graduate in the room, it might be fitting for me to draw the winning ticket.
President Spencer then presented a children’s book for us to sign, which will be donated to the Boys and Girls Club.
The meeting wrapped up, as always, with the recitation of the Rotary Four-Way Test (and the Huntsville fifth), a meaningful reminder of the values that guide the organization’s work.
Center for Law, Engagement, and Politics 