CLASS OF 2023
OUR PROGRAM IN 2023
Part of the motto of the Texas Conservative Coalition is “Building the Future.” Cultivating the next generation of conservative leaders is part of that mission. Since 2009, TCCRI has been engaged in that effort through the Clements Legislative Study Program. The 2023 class has the distinct honor of being the largest in the program's history; with 14 Scholars in total serving in 12 different offices in the House and Senate during the 88th Legislative Session. With such a highly accomplished group of Scholars such as this; it is ensured that the future of the conservative movement is bright.​
MEET THE CLASS OF 2023
Olivia Alexander
Olivia Alexander is a sophomore at Texas State University. Her love for justice began at an early age but it was accelerated when she competed with her high school mock trial team at the state level. She went on to be the prosecutor at her local justice of the peace for their teen court program. In Olivia’s freshman year of college she was elected president of the Texas state college Republican club. She also served as chairman of the, voting and civil integrity committee as well as Senator on her student body board of the University. Olivia spent her freshman year interning for Senator Ted Cruz three days a week while maintaining her status on the Dean’s list. She traveled to Costa Rica for a study abroad program, furthering her Spanish speaking degree and goals.
Houston, Texas
Texas State University
Senator Bryan Hughes
Morghan Armenta
Morghan Armenta serves as a Legislative Aide for District 54 in the Texas House of Representatives with years of campaign experience in local politics and elections. She is from San Antonio and is a Senior currently pursuing a Bachelor’s of Arts in Political Science at Texas State University. She has been inducted into Phi Alpha Delta Pre-Law Honors Society and Pi Sigma Alpha Political Science Honors Society while attending university. Morghan has worked for local non-profits with a passion for education. Morghan sees her first legislative session as a chance to further develop her commitment to public service and the lives of everyday Texans.
San Antonio, Texas
Texas State University
Representative Brad Buckley
Sydney Baker
Sydney Baker is a sixth generation Texan born and raised in New Braunfels, Texas. She is currently a student at the University of Texas at Austin where she is pursuing a degree in Political Communication on the pre-law track. At UT, she is a part of the Jefferson Scholar Program, International Justice Mission, and serves as secretary at International Association of Business Communications. Her passion for foster care reform, energy policy, and putting an end to human trafficking inspire her work at the Texas State Capitol.
New Braunfels, Texas
University of Texas at Austin
Senator Lois Kolkhorst
Cameron Castillo
Born and raised in Las Cruces, New Mexico, Cameron Castillo graduated with a Bachelor’s of Science in Agricultural Economics from Texas A&M University this past December. While at Texas A&M, he served as an officer on the College of Agriculture and Life Sciences Student Council in addition to his involvement in the Department of Agricultural Economics’ Aggie REP’s club and the MSC Student Conference on National Affairs. Cameron also served as an undergraduate teaching assistant for a freshman writing course in the Department of Agricultural Economics, as well as a peer mentor for one of the Department’s First Year Experience courses. In August, he will return to College Station to pursue a Master’s of Science in Agricultural Economics.
Las Cruces, New Mexico
Texas A&M University
Representative Andrew Murr
Mika Castro
Mika’ele Castro is a junior at Baylor University, majoring in Political Science and English with a pre-law designation and a minor in Legal Reasoning & Analysis from Atlanta, Georgia. As a founder of the Baylor Undergraduate Law Review, Mika’ele is devoted to the pursuit of legal scholarship. Mika’ele volunteers with the children’s ministry at Harris Creek Baptist Church in the greater Waco area where he serves as a 3rd-grade small-group leader. Upon graduation, Mika’ele will attend law school, where he will prepare himself to become a Judge Advocate General’s Corps Officer, before pursuing a career as a judge.
Atlanta, Georgia
Baylor University
Senator Mayes Middleton
Mary Grace Davidson
Mary Grace Davidson is an Austin native and current Junior at The University of Texas studying Public Relations. She is a recent transfer from Biola University in California where she spent the previous two years competing on the NCAA D2 Women’s Golf team and studying in the honors college. She is hoping to use her public relations degree to pursue either sports media or to join the family business and work in politics like her parents have for almost 40 years each.
Austin, Texas
University of Texas at Austin
Representative Candy Noble
Bailey Halbert
Bailey Halbert is a junior at Texas A&M University majoring in Agricultural Leadership & Development. Bailey is from Bryan, Texas where she developed an interest in policymaking through her involvement in 4-H. she served as a Texas 4-H Water Ambassador where she learned and taught others about water conservation and policy. 4-H selected her to attend a conference at the Texas Capitol where she learned about agricultural and economic issues of the state during the 86th Legislative Session. In addition, she also participated in the Citizenship Washington Focus Program in Washington, D.C. as part of a 4-H exchange program where she met 4-H members from across the U.S. and learned about the legislative process on the national level.
Bryan, Texas
Texas A&M University
Senator Lois Kolkhorst
Noah Huerta
Growing up on the gulf coast in Seabrook, Texas, Noah spent his time enjoying the water with family and friends and working for his grandfather’s construction company. He graduated magna cum laude from Clear Falls High School where he played varsity football and was an active member of the Student Council. His interest in government and policy motivated his decision to attend the University of Texas at Austin. Currently a third-year student, Noah is pursuing a Bachelor of Arts in History along with a minor in Government and is an officer of the Pi Kappa Alpha fraternity. He is passionate about the impact local and state policies have on the everyday lives of Texans and is excited to experience the Texas legislative process firsthand.
Seabrook, Texas
University of Texas at Austin
Representative Stephanie Klick
Jacquelyn Pillow
Jackie Pillow is a second-year student majoring in Canfield Business Honors and Finance, with a minor in Law, Justice, and Society. Outside of class, Jackie is a member of Alpha Chi Omega where she is the Assistant VP of Risk Management. Jackie is an active member of The University of Texas’s Younglife, a Christian organization, where she mentors college students. She also is a writer, editor, and executive board member for The Texas Undergraduate Law Journal. Jackie spends most days on the 6th floor of McCombs, in the Rosenbaum Center for Behavioral Business Studies, where she is the Lead Undergraduate Research Assistant. Upon graduation, Jackie plans to pursue a joint MBA and JD and she continues to further her understanding of the intersection of business and policy.
Fort Worth, Texas
University of Texas at Austin
Senator Phil King
Zane Prince
Zane Prince is a current junior at the university of Texas. He currently studies international relations and global studies with focuses on the Middle East and International security. Some things about him is that he enjoys playing tennis and working out in his free time. After college, he hopes to further his education in a post graduate program.
Houston, Texas
University of Texas at Austin
Senator Donna Campbell
Leah Shepherd
Leah Shepherd is a pre-law social work student minoring in business and government at the University of Texas in Austin. She hopes to pursue a career in law or politics with a focus on international policy, national security, and/or human rights issues. With a growing interest in foreign policy and global affairs, Leah, a second-generation Ukrainian, has a heart for her family and friends fighting the war and hopes to one day be a part of creating peace and restoring Ukraine. She previously interned for Senator Tan Parker and is excited to work the 88th legislative session for the first time and learn the inner workings of Texas legislation.
Georgetown, Texas
University of Texas at Austin
Representative Geanie Morrison
Trinity Smith
Trinity Smith is a current legislative aide for Senator Angela Paxton’s office. She is in her third year at UT Austin, where she is pursuing majors in rhetoric and writing and government, as well as a certificate in public policy. On UT Austin campus, she has led a department of The Daily Texan, consulted for the University Writing Center, and is president of a service and career development organization called Effective Altruism. She formerly interned both for the Budget and Policy Division of the Office of Governor Greg Abbott and for State Representative Gary Gates, where she gained valuable experience with the legislative process. She looks to continue a career in government post-graduation and is incredibly grateful to participate in the Clements Legislative Study Program.
Katy, Texas
University of Texas at Austin
Senator Angela Paxton
Madeline Tillman
Madeline Tillman is a Deans List student at Texas State University from The Woodlands, TX. She is pursing a major in psychology and a minor in criminal justice which most of her interests stem. In her sorority Alpha Xi Delta, she has been elected into 4 different officer positions by 150 of her peers. She plans on attending law school post-graduation to study either business or international law, following a study abroad program in Rennes, France to end her undergrad experience. After working in both a criminal defense law firm and for the DA, she realized her passion for policy and the process of law making. She is excited to start the Clements Program and expand her knowledge of public policy. In her free time, she loves to go hiking, grab coffee, and will never miss an opportunity to go skiing.
The Woodlands, Texas
Texas State University
Representative Lacey Hull
Romana Vargas
Romana Vargas is a third-year student from Houston, TX at the University of Texas at Austin. She is currently majoring in Government and minoring in Business. She is thankful for being able to intern through the Clements Legislative Study Program, where she hopes to learn more about public policy and further her involvement in the conservative movement.
Houston, Texas
University of Texas at Austin
Representative Geanie Morrison