OPINION | ROOTED IN COMMUNITY
The legacies of Pascual Huerta, J. Conrad Huerta and Rita Garcia connect Sarah Dragon’s South Omaha roots to her work in education and public service.
Introducing Rooted in Community with Sarah Dragon
Rooted in Community is a monthly opinion column by South Omaha educator Sarah Dragon, exploring education, family heritage, community service and local leadership.
By Sarah Dragon
Sarah Dragon, author of the monthly opinion column Rooted in Community
When I think about why I am running for the Learning Community Coordinating Council in Subcouncil 5, I think about my family, our roots, and the generations who came before me.
There is something special about South Omaha. It is a community built on generations of hard work, sacrifice, pride, and service. My family has called this community home for generations, and my Latino heritage is an important part of who I am and the values I carry into everything I do.
My great-grandfather, Pascual Huerta, came to the United States after serving as a colonel in the Mexican Army during the Mexican Revolution. He was proud of his Mexican heritage and equally proud to be an American, raising his family with the values of humility, hard work, and service.
My great-uncle, J. Conrad Huerta, carried that legacy forward, serving in the Korean War before breaking barriers in education as the first Latino to pursue graduate studies at Chadron State College and Nebraska’s first Latino superintendent of schools. He believed in opening doors for others, not just himself.
My grandmother, Rita Garcia, dedicated her career to serving South Omaha families through the Indian Chicano Health Center and La Plaza Community Health Center. Together, their examples taught me that our heritage is a source of pride, education opens doors, and true leadership is not about a title, but about showing up and serving others.
These are the shoulders I stand on.
Their stories are a big part of why I have dedicated nearly two decades to public education as a first-grade teacher, school counselor, and early childhood program director. I believe every child and family deserves access to opportunities that help them succeed. That is why I am running for the Learning Community: to be an active voice for families, support educators, strengthen early childhood education, and help create opportunities for the next generation.
I recognize that same commitment to service in the family history of my friend Mark Martinez. His father, Al Martinez Sr., broke barriers as the first Latino hired by the Omaha Police Department. Through generations of service in law enforcement and community involvement, the Martinez family has also helped shape our community.
Mark is running for Douglas County sheriff with four decades of law enforcement experience. He rose to deputy chief at the Omaha Police Department, served as U.S. marshal for the District of Nebraska, and taught criminal justice at the University of Nebraska at Omaha. His experience and commitment to public service reflect the importance of qualified leaders who understand the communities they serve.
Sarah Dragon (right) with Mark Martinez, candidate for Douglas County sheriff. Photo: Courtesy.
Our families have served in different ways, but our stories share a common thread: pride in our Latino heritage, respect for those who came before us, and a responsibility to make things better for those who come after us.
That responsibility also means making sure our voices are heard at the ballot box.
Voting is more than casting a ballot. It is an opportunity to honor the sacrifices of previous generations and help determine the future of our children, families, and neighborhoods. Our ancestors worked hard to create opportunities for us. We cannot take those opportunities for granted.
Latino representation matters. Our stories matter. Our experiences matter. But representation doesn’t happen simply because we hope for it. It happens when we participate, encourage others to participate, and step forward to serve.
On November 3, I encourage everyone to make their voices heard. Research the candidates, understand the positions being decided, and vote. Whether you are voting for the first time or continuing a family tradition, your participation matters. We cannot expect our communities to be represented if we are not willing to participate in choosing the people who represent us.
I am running because I believe every child and every family deserves leadership that listens, shows up, and does the work. Mark and I may be running for different offices, but we share a commitment to serving the people and communities that helped shape us.
The generations before us helped build this foundation. Now it is our turn to carry that legacy forward.
Editor’s note: Sarah Dragon is a candidate for the Learning Community Coordinating Council, Subcouncil 5. This column also discusses Mark Martinez, a candidate for Douglas County sheriff. This is an opinion column. The views expressed are the author’s and do not necessarily reflect the editorial position of Hola Nebraska. Publication of this column does not constitute an endorsement of either candidate.
Related information: Learn more about the Learning Community Coordinating Council and read Hola Nebraska’s coverage of Mark Martinez’s candidacy for Douglas County sheriff.
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