Stephen Joshua Pulvirent
Liberal Arts & Science Academy at LBJ High School
Class of 2007
I have been very fortunate from the beginning. My family has always placed a high value on education, so the only decision for me has always been which college and which career; however, this is not to say that there have not been teachers along the way who have had a major influence on me.
My love for learning began with my first grade teacher, Edna Armendariz, at Will Davis Elementary School. It was in her classroom that I developed a love for reading. She demonstrated the power of words and the journeys that were possible. She did not limit us to the classroom, we were free to travel anywhere in time and space. I believe she provided the strong foundation from which everything else has sprung.
The next major influencer for me was Michelle Mauldin at Murchison Middle School. She encouraged me to question everything, which I did with full gusto. She was never intimidated by that small powerful word, WHY? Or more often its partner WHY NOT? It was also Ms. Mauldin who first exposed me to our Constitution. I can truly say Ms. Mauldin went the distance with me as she journeyed with me to the University of Maryland where we represented Texas at the national competition for the National History Fair. After five months of extensive research on the First Amendment’s Freedom of the Press, and communication with leading journalists, First Amendment attorneys, and ethicists, I determined Freedom of the Press is an inalienable right and a moral responsibility. My exhibit was one of twelve selected out of two hundred junior and senior exhibits at the national fair, for display at the Smithsonian Institution, as well as I was selected as one of three students to be interviewed by C-Span. Throughout this process, Ms. Mauldin was by my side.
My love for the Constitution and the role it plays in our everyday life began to take on even greater impact for me when I met Ronne Risinger at the Liberal Arts and Science Academy (LASA) at LBJ High School. Mr. Risinger is an attorney who gave up his practice to teach the importance of our Constitutional system. He is very passionate about its role and our responsibility. In addition to being one of my classroom teachers, Mr. Risinger is the advisor for our Youth and Government team. Youth and Government is a national program sponsored by the YMCA. Every fall my legislative team gets together to review the current state of affairs here in Texas. We then decide which legislation we think needs to be changed and write the appropriate bill. Sometimes we work as teams, sometimes alone. Every February we then literally take to the Texas Senate Floor and perform the role of senator in trying to improve the quality of life in Texas. I have never experienced anything more electrifying than standing on the floor presenting, debating, and then winning my bill. My commitment and excellence in this process has been recognized by my peers as I have been selected Distinguished Delegate three times and invited to participate at the National Convention.
Lastly, I would like to thank Neil Lowenstern another of the History teachers at LASA. Throughout his classes and the special time he and I have spent together he has helped me develop more of my character. He is one of those people who has really reached down into my soul and helped me look at the world with renewed vision. With his support, I received a Lappin Leadership Grant for travel to Poland and Israel. During this six week trip, I experience a gut-wrenching week touring the concentration camps of Poland observing the horrors of what man is capable of if left unchecked. I also experienced being on the border of Israel and Lebanon just days before the conflict with Hezbollah broke out. There were many emotions encountered during this conflict including frustration with the governments and media involved. I was angry how some governments and government officials can manipulate the situation with little or no concern for their citizens and frustrated the media does not always tell the whole story. I was able to discuss these feelings and so much more with Mr. Lowenstern upon my arrival home. He helped me to make sense of, and develop purpose from, this journey.
Together the teachers listed above, the many others who I do not have the space to list, and my experience last summer has helped me determine my path for the future. I have accepted the Early Decision offer from Washington University in St. Louis where I plan to major in Political Science and Photojournalism. Their outstanding department will help me develop a strong foundation on how governments work and how I can step up to do my civic duty. I would love to return to the Texas Senate, not as a member of Youth and Government acting out a role, but as an elected servant of my community leading by example. Naturally I would then like to serve Texas as a national senator. Throughout my education, my teachers have taught me if you see something wrong, you need to step up and offer a solution. I believe learning more by studying Political Science will help me develop the right skills to achieve success for everyone I support. At the risk of sticking my neck out, one of my ultimate goals is to help bring about peace in the Middle East for everyone.
Lastly, I hope through photojournalism, I can shake people into action. This activity can be focused on world/community issues, or self-fulfillment. Currently, I have a website www.stephenjphotography.com where people can view my photographs to energize themselves and to participate in Tikun Olam, repairing the world. If they choose to purchase a photograph, 100% of the proceeds are donated to charity. In this small way I can begin to make a difference.
Thank you for this opportunity to recognize some really awesome teachers.