LEAP students took a Wednesday night trip to Cinemark in the Woodlands for the 35th anniversary screening of The Silence of the Lambs! Arriving around thirty minutes early, we had more than enough time to load up on popcorn, candy, and sodas before heading into the theater.
Once we were seated, the film began with an opening from legendary film critic and historian, Leonard Maltin, who explained some of the historical and cultural significance of the film, including its status as one of three films to win the “Big Five” Academy Awards: Best Picture, Best Director, Best Actor, Best Actress, and Best Adapted Screenplay. Based on Thomas Harris’ 1988 novel of the same name, The Silence of the Lambs is a staple in American film that inspired an infatuation with the character of a dignified serial cannibal named Hannibal Lector, resulting in numerous spinoff series and prequel films.
The film follows young FBI trainee Clarisse Starling (Jodie Foster) as she interviews Hannibal Lector (Anthony Hopkins) with the hopes that he might provide insight into the mind of a serial killer. On the rise is a man by the name of Buffalo Bill (Ted Levine), who skins his victims after he kidnaps and kills them, mysteriously keeping them alive for three days. Starling has the sinking feeling that Hannibal Lector knows more about the killings than he is letting on, and must navigate his psychological manipulations and lies to get to the truth.
Though a clear psychological thriller/horror, we were all able to find humor in some of our favorite parts, especially in Hannibal’s witty dialogue. Several of us had never seen the film before, though it is one of my favorite movies of all time! On the way home, we all agreed that it was an evening well spent.
Thursday, April 9th, was an exciting day for LEAP students. We traveled to the Asia Society Texas Center to hear Ambassador Rahul Chhabra speak on India’s place in global leadership, hosted by the World Affairs Council. The event provided new learning opportunities and deeper insight into the world’s largest democracy, India.
Following a warm welcome from Matthew Fuller, the director of Business and Politics at the Asia Society Texas and CEO of the World Affairs Council, Maryanne Maldonado introduced Ambassador Chhabra, setting the stage for a lively and informative discussion moderated by Chief Programs Officer Ronan O’Malley.
Ambassador Chhabra was the perfect blend of entertaining and educational. He discussed India’s rise on the global stage and its relations with other countries. He also highlighted the “economic miracle” of India’s GDP growth, especially in comparison to China, as well as the U.S.
Ambassador Chhabra began by reflecting on India’s early years, following their independence from Britain at the end of the Second World War. He mentioned India’s first choice of ally was the United States, but they refused to be overly tied into diplomatic entanglements as a developing country.
This independent spirit was exemplified by the concept of “nonalignment” and India’s continuous choice to forge its own pathway rather than strictly aligning with the West, China, or Russia. He attributed this concept to “India’s economic miracle.” Ambassador Chhabra mentioned India’s choice to expand into the IT sector instead of manufacturing, which was the proven path to development that China underwent.
Another key topic Ambassador Chhabra explored was the significance of the “123 agreement,” which reversed the previous sanctions on nuclear trade with India. Under George W. Bush, India and U.S. relations increased significantly as India was the only country with which the United States had an arrangement like this. He attributed a large portion of this success to the Indian-American population and their unwavering support.
Nearing the end of the event, O’Malley opened the floor to questions, and Ambassador Chhabra answered multiple questions from the audience regarding India’s global strategy and international partnership.
Listening to his vast experiences and India’s point of view over the last several decades was particularly interesting, and left the audience pondering the effects of American policies on the rest of the world, for better or worse. After the event finished, Ambassador Chhabra was kind enough to take a photo with LEAP students, providing a memorable end to an insightful day.
On February 2, LEAP students Zackery Isaacks, Mikaela Baires, Luke Hempfling, and I accompanied Professor Yawn and former Junior Fellow/LEAP Ambassador Ademide Adedokun to the Junior League of Houston to hear Ambassador Michelle Gavin speak about the rapid changes occurring in African politics– and what that might mean for the futures of African youth.
After Jahan Jafarpour, the Director of Programs, offered a brief introduction…
…our favorite moderator, Ronan O’Malley, began the interview, discussing some of the ideas Ambassador Gavin explores in her book, The Age of Change. One of these is the concept of a “demographic dividend,” which means a big boost to national productivity due to the increase of labor force and decrease of dependents, and this is occurring in a large number of Africa’s 54 countries.
While young people are gaining power in numbers and entering the job market, older generations are still running the government. Ambassador Gavin highlighted the example of Paul Biya, the President of Cameroon, who has been president for forty-three years, and he was just re-elected in October for another seven-year term. While some may political stability, others may see the potential for corruption and a stale–rather than dynamic–political culture.
Such regimes, according to Gavin, may not last much longer, as the African youth are becoming increasingly urbanized and have more resources to be connected. Under such circumstances, political organization becomes possible and real change can occur.
There are models of successful democracies in Africa, and if young people use countries such as Botswana as models, it is realistic to think that democracy can spread. Botswana has maintained peace and stability by electing good leaders, preventing corruption, and using their greatest natural resources (diamonds) wisely. In terms of governance, they use “Kgotla meetings,” something akin to “town halls,” which allow citizens to bring questions and concerns to community leaders. This provides for a sense of interconnectedness, promotes accountability, and allows for clear and frequent communication.
Following the talk, Maria Guarache swept us up to see Ambassador Gavin, and we were able to get photographs and our books signed, capping off a wonderful program.
And, to further enhance the evening, we joined Ms. Adedokun at ChopnBlok for some African food. Many of us had never tried African food before, so it was a nice way to add even more educational aspects to the field trip, while also learning more about Ms. Adedokun and her career, her perception of African politics, and a little bit of LEAP history, all wrapped into a top-notch meal by a James Beard Award-winning chef.
With finals and papers (mostly) complete, LEAP students signed up for an adventure, an exploration of Houston. This exploration involved one of the City’s parks, a culinary adventure, and a foray into the world of architecture, all in the spirit of fun, education, and engagement.
While Houston’s larger parks receive a lot of attention, Smither Park is a gem. Designed by former SHSU professor Dan Phillips, Smither Park reflects the designer’s beliefs in organic processes. “Through the use of color and composition,” Phillips once told a LEAP group on a tour, “you employ repetition to create a pattern, and soon you’ve created art.”
The art was on display throughout the Park, and the students enjoyed the process of finding art in each station, pathway, and niche.
Each student had their own favorite, but simply seeing the creativity of the designs (did you know a spatula could be a dragonfly wing?) was part of the wonder of the experience.
Indeed, it was the majority of the student’s favorite event of the day.
Houston is gaining a reputation for its food scene, and one of the places receiving more than its share of notices is Cochinita & Co., whose chef, Victoria Elizondo, has twice been named a James Beard semi-finalist. The attentive staff–we were recognized upon entering (“Is this SHSU’s group of Pre-Law students?”)–helped us with menu selections. Mikaela went with vegan tacos; Professor Yawn went with the Cochinita Pibil tacos; Moya went with chicken tacos; Sofia went with the excellent Posole; and Katie, needing a pick-me-up, had a Latte with her lunch. We all tried the elote and guacamole, and Mikaela got some pastries to go (allegedly to “share” with her family).
Fortified by food, we ventured into the world of architecture, stopping by The University of St. Thomas, where we visited Philip Johnson’s Academic Mall and Chapel of St. Basil. Johnson’s most notable Houston works are the ones that dot the skyline, but few are as beautiful or as textured as his Chapel. Composed of a Cube, several planes, and a sphere and adorned with rectangles, a triangle, and crosses, the structure is a visual and spiritual delight.
While we each explored the various aspects of the space, we tried to capture some of its magic through photography. Our efforts, however, didn’t quite capture the essence of the structure in the same way we did on our 2024 visit.
Part of the spirit of LEAP is to mix in new explorations while revisiting the seemingly familiar, only to find that return visits allow us to see with new eyes, a reflection of continued growth, an ongoing sense of wonder, and the promise of new possibilities.
Being a part of the LEAP program isn’t just about preparing for a career in law –it’s about learning to see the world through a new lens. I came to understand this during a presentation in Professor Yawn’s UNIV 1101 Pre-Law class, where LEAP Ambassadors Olivia McCaughan and Michelle Moya outlined the program and highlighted the wide range of opportunities it offers.
Through LEAP, students gain access to experiences that prepare them for the future—ranging from civic engagement, like volunteering at the Main Street Program’s Scare on the Square (which I look forward to participating in this October), to hearing from special guest speakers, to interning in Washington, D.C., Austin, and local government. I was especially delighted to learn that LEAP is not limited to students pursuing law school, but is open to anyone interested in making a difference in their community through civic work. LEAP members don’t volunteer to meet a quota, but rather to get involved in ways that are meaningful, impactful, and connected to their communities.
My first-year experience has also been shaped by UNIV 1101, a pre-law course designed to introduce students to the field. Professor Yawn’s daily quizzes extend a vast array of subjects, from LSAT prep to Emotional Intelligence to LEAP Ambassadors Olivia Discon and Michelle Moya’s Parasailing trip. True to law school style, at the end of each short quiz, students are called on to announce their answers to the class! On a whole, Univ 1101 has proven to be a very detail-oriented class, reminding our group of prospective lawyers the importance of every detail, even those that seem menial.
This focus on preparation carried into another highlight of my week: attending my first Pre-Law Society meeting alongside several of my UNIV 1101 classmates. We learned about several prospective law schools, including the University of Houston Law Center, South Texas College of Law, and Texas Tech Law, directly from their admissions representatives. We even received Pre-Law Society t-shirts, signifying our official place in the program! I also had the chance to meet our organization’s leaders as they reviewed the agenda and introduced our guest speakers.
As Michelle Moya explained, the Pre-Law Society is just one branch of the broader LEAP program. I’m eager to explore each branch throughout my four years at Sam Houston, confident that every experience—whether in the classroom, the community, or beyond—will bring me closer to the leader and lawyer I aspire to be.
Olivia McCaughan, Allison Plunk, and Michelle Moya
LEAP students added another country to its World Affairs Council culinary passport: Italy. While Italy is most known for pizzas, pastas and their ketchup-despising attitude, it is also known as the wine capital of the world. We learned more about wine and its profound impact on people’s lives.
In true European fashion, there was plenty of snacking to be had, rather than a full-course meal. A variety of cheeses and meats ensued, and we spent time conversing in the beautiful Italian Cultural and Community Center.
The speaker for the evening, Ferdinando Favara, has grown up appreciating this aspect of Italian culture his whole life. His family, who has longstanding roots in the wine industry, have a vineyard in Sicily–which we came to learn is on the up-and-up in terms of regional “quality”. Favara helped his grandmother in the wine fields starting at just 14 years old.
Ferdinando spoke about how wine helps to bring people together. His “philosophy”, so to speak, is that wine creates stories, keeps stories alive, and connects people in a vital way. While LEAP students didn’t personally indulge in any wine tasting, it was fun to partake in the storytelling and learn about the many intricacies that come with a high-quality experience. Much like the efforts of the LEAP Center!
He also talked about the deep history of wine which started 3,000 years ago in Sicily. Sicily, which is the largest island in the Mediterranean, uses a terrace-type farming technique. It uses this form of farming because it has the largest active volcano in Europe! Our discussion then traveled to Piemonte, once the land of the King of Italy. While on the verbal excursion, we learned the king entrusted his vineyard to one of his servants (who was rumored to be one of his lovers!), a legacy that lives on today. This region is home to one of the oldest vineyards in all of Italy.
LEAP students truly appreciated attending another World Affairs Council program which has helped broaden our understanding of the world around us. While we didn’t engage in the wine component of the evening, we definitely appreciated Italy’s culture, history and significance in the wine industry.
The LEAP Center is known for its interdisciplinary adventures, and today was no different, as we visited another state capitol, the estate of literary lion, and a Guatemalan restaurant–in Hartford, CT, no less!
Connecticut State House
Nestled in the 41-acre Bushnell Memorial Park in Hartford, the Connecticut State Capitol first welcomed the General Assembly in January 1879 after eight years of planning and construction. A commission formed in 1871 selected architect Richard M. Upjohn, whose father also worked on the Boston Commons, providing us with generational and geographical continuity, even as we visit different sites built in different locations.
James G. Batterson supervised construction, and he significantly altered Upjohn’s design. Using marble and granite from New England, he built a beautiful sculpture that prompted the New York Times to note, that in the sun, the building “sparkled like a fairy palace of frost work.”
It didn’t sparkle on the day we visited; it rained, which also discouraged us from getting a shot of the exterior, but the LEAP Ambassadors of 2018 took a photo on a similar trip.
The building features a gold-leaf dome, and the structure is sometimes referred to as “high Victorian” and sometimes as “Eastlake,” a confusion caused, in part, by the competing visions of the architect and construction supervisor.
Both the exterior and interior feature emblems of the state’s past. One of the more interesting of these is the Charter Oak. Connecticut had a royal charter that largely gave it control over its own governance, but this was threatened in the late 1600s, when King James II tried to revoke the Charter and exert more control. When the King’s men tried to take the Charter, the colonists–Captain Joseph Wadsworth, in particular–took the document and hid it in a white oak tree, which is, not surprisingly, the state tree.
That tree became known as the Charter Oak, and although a storm toppled the tree in 1856, the wood was used to create other items, some of which can be found in the capitol. Its image is also featured on the state’s quarter and on a stamp.
Of course, the Capitol also houses both legislative chambers—the State Senate Chamber and the Hall of the House of Representatives—as well as offices for the Governor, Lieutenant Governor, and Secretary of the State.
It also houses “The Genius of Connecticut,” a 17 foot, 10 inch statue created by Randolph Rogers. The winged figure holds immortalis in her right hand; a mountain laurel (the state flower) in her right; and her head is wreathed in leaves from the white oak.
Formerly, “The Genius of Connecticut” was perched atop the capitol, but she was removed following a hurricane. The statue was melted to make ammunition during World War II. Fortunately, however, the original plaster model was found, and in 2009, a replica of the original was returned to the capitol, albeit in the rotunda rather than in the cupola/dome.
Aurora’s Restaurant
Texans believe that eating Latino cuisine outside of a border state is questionable at best and potentially dangerous. But we are not faint of heart, and we know that immigrants who know food are not limited in where they settle, so we happily braved the rain to visit Aurora’s Restaurant, which serves Guatemalan food, in Hartford, Connecticut.
The staff were welcoming and courteous. They spoke Spanish when not speaking to us, adding to what would prove to be a rewarding an authentic culinary experience.
We sampled a variety of dishes, including the Burrito Bowl, Tortillas con Chorizo, an Aurora Bowl, and plantains–the latter drizzled with crema and topped with queso fresca. All of the dishes were excellent, but the plantains were among the best we had ever had.
We left with full stomachs, and also ever more aware that, to paraphrase Mark Twain, travel is fatal to preconceptions.
Mark Twain House
by Olivia Discon
Samuel Clemens—better known as Mark Twain—was one of America’s most influential authors and storytellers. His works such The Adventures of Huckleberry Finn and Life on the Mississippi are classics. But while his writing is widely known, fewer people know about the man himself, the life he led, or his stunning Victorian home in Hartford, Connecticut.
We weren’t allowed to take photos inside, but our tour guide, Josh, brought the house to life with vivid stories. The home has had many lives—at one point an apartment building, later a school, and even a library—before being restored as a museum. Over time, renovations stripped away original touches, including designs by Louis Comfort Tiffany (which, to my dismay, were once considered unfashionable). Thankfully, the museum has worked to restore the home as closely as possible to how it looked when the Clemens family lived there, guided in part by the memories of their daughter, Clara.
The library was the most charming room. Its mantelpiece, a hand-carved work from Ireland, is extravagant. Whimsical portraits—a cat, a rabbit, and a woman in blue affectionately named Eveline by the Clemens daughters–hung on the walls. Each night, Twain would spin bedtime stories using these characters. If he ever repeated a storyline, his daughters would call him out, forcing him to start fresh. According to Josh, Twain may have done this intentionally just to test whether they were paying attention. The library also included a small conservatory filled with greenery, along with a decorative frog—a playful nod to Twain’s famous short story, The Celebrated Jumping Frog of Calaveras County.
We also visited Twain’s office, which doubled as his billiard room. It was here that he wrote, smoked cigars, played pool, and paced while working through drafts. A shelf of cubbies held his unfinished manuscripts—something I secretly envied.
The house also carries the weight of the family’s tragedies. Their daughter Susy died of meningitis in the home at just 24 years old. And, owing to financial difficulties, the family eventually had to sell the home, much to Twain’s chagrin.
Even with its history of sorrow, Twain often described the Hartford house as the setting for some of the happiest years of his life. It was, he noted, “the loveliest home that ever was.” Walking through its cozy, richly detailed rooms, we found ourselves understanding that sentiment.
Photo Ops
Following our day in Hartford, we headed north, toward Stockbridge, MA, preparing ourselves for another full day tomorrow. But along the way, we stopped to see Herman Melville’s home, “Arrowhead”…
Herman Mellville’s “Arrowhead,” (Photo by Daderot)
…and “The Mount,” the home of Edith Wharton.
Edit Wharton’s “The Mount” (Photo by David Dashiell)
Concluding Thoughts
It’s difficult to organize disparate adventures into a memorable and cohesive learning experience. But through some preparation, a desire for new experiences, and an open mind, we managed to see quite a lot and assimilate almost as much. A beautiful state capitol designed by Richard M. Upjohn, a great Guatemalan restaurant in the heart of Hartford, and the “loveliest home that ever was” by the quintessential American author–all in the day of LEAP Ambassador.
Having already learned a lot at the conference and on our own, we were ready for another day of educational excursions and events. Today’s itinerary included a plenary luncheon focused on challenges associated with the availability of primary care physicians, a site visit concerning education and workforce development, and a state dinner.
Primary Care Shortagesand Challenges
by Olivia Discon
Over a lunch of fish, rice, and broccoli—quite healthy (well, mostly), might I add!—we enjoyed some good company, a brief award ceremony, and a rich educational opportunity to learn about medical care in the 21st century.
To begin, we were happy for Rep. Kevin Ryan of Montville, NJ, who received the W. Paul White State and Regional Leadership Award.
we enjoyed hearing from Senator Gustavo Rivera of New York, chair of the CSG East Health Policy Committee, who discussed the suboptimal supply of primary care physicians.
Just a generation ago, a primary care physician was a trusted source of care and advice. Today, however, many cities struggle with finding doctors who will accept sufficient numbers of insurance patients to make a real difference in their communities.
The keynote speaker, Joe Telano, senior policy manager at the Primary Care Development Corporation, laid out the problem.
The existence of quality primary care physicians in communities has been demonstrated to lengthen lives, but not enough communities have access to those physicians. In turn, this creates greater stress on specialized medicine, as patients are delayed in having serious issues diagnosed and referred. Moreover, the lack of primary care physicians adds to community health problems: increased likelihood of pandemics, more suffering from chronic diseases (e.g., diabetes), and even more gun violence.
Currently, only about 5-7 percent of health care expenditures go toward primary care, and a greater investment, according to Telano, is needed. Of course, this is only one part of a comprehensive plan. Other needed changes include: insurance regulations, grants for low-income communities, and a broader perspective of what constitutes “public health.”
Interestingly, part of this expanded view of public health could include education and workforce development…
Building Futures: Apprenticeship and Workforce Development
By Michelle Moya
One of the conference highlights was the site visit for our Education and Workforce Development session, which a tour of Building Futures, Rhode Island’s premier pre-apprenticeship program. Olivia and I were joined by a diverse group of senators and representatives from across the country for what would become one of my favorite sessions.
Our visit began in the hands-on training space, where we witnessed day two of a five-week intensive course. The tour was led by Andrew Cortez, president of Building Futures and a former apprentice himself, who shared insight into what the program is and what makes it effective.
Building Futures connects community residents to registered apprenticeship opportunities in the building trades. The program has a dual mission: preparing individuals for apprenticeships through training and readiness while also partnering with project owners to require apprentice participation in construction. This two-pronged approach ensures both workforce preparation and job placement.
Cortez emphasized that success in the trades depends on three essentials: showing up every day on time, working hard, and applying yourself to learn. Technical skills matter, but they rest on these fundamental values of reliability, perseverance, and a willingness to grow. As a student, I found this surprisingly inspiring. It reminded me that success in any field—whether in school or in a career—often comes down to those same habits. Technical skills can be taught, but without consistency and the right attitude, it’s hard to succeed anywhere.
From the active training floor, we transitioned to a classroom setting where our group of legislators and workforce development professionals gathered around tables for a deeper conversation about the program. A highlight of our roundtable was learning about recent legislation that allows apprenticeship pathways to count toward college credit in Rhode Island. Senator Hanna Gallo, who helped lead this effort, joined us for the discussion, along with Matt Weldon, Director of the Department of Labor and Training.
The program’s impact became tangible through the graduates who shared their stories with us. Vennicia Kingston, who transitioned from banking to carpentry, now owns Eagle Eye Construction Services and employs multiple Building Futures alumni—a great example of how networking creates a cycle of opportunity. Another graduate shared how, just months after incarceration, he not only completed his apprenticeship but also bought his first home and eventually built his own million-dollar construction company.
These transformations illustrate what Cortez stressed throughout our visit: the most valuable skills are consistency, work ethic, and a learning mindset. This philosophy mirrors the character development emphasized in LEAP, where academic and career success are built on the foundation of personal responsibility and values.
As we concluded our tour and roundtable discussion, one lesson stood out clearly: good students and successful professionals are people who show up, work hard, and embrace continuous learning. This blend of character and skill creates pathways to both personal transformation and economic opportunity—lessons we will carry forward as we pursue our future goals.
State Dinner
by Olivia Discon
The conference concluded with the State Dinner, the most formal event of the conference, where we dined with some of the event organizers, an event photographer, as well as some fellow southerners. Senator Walter Michel–whom we had lunch with–and his wife, Laura, joined us for a nice meal and delightful conversation.
We also had a chance to see the host committee, who spent years planning for this event, be recognized.
The main event, however, was the meal, which featured a three-course meal including a beef entrée, asparagus, and potatoes as its main course, along with a salad and a scrumptious dessert (Chocolate Mousse).
In the background wafted the swing beat of Sinatra tunes, performed by Michael Dutra: “Simply Sinatra.”
We shared stories about our visits to waterfalls in North Carolina, where one of the event organizers is from, to challenges faced by the Mississippi Legislature, to the decreasing importance of ISO in modern cameras. It was a wonderful way to cap our evening programs at the Council of State Governments–East.
Center for Law, Engagement, and Politics 
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