Dee Friesen | Arts + Life Editor

Sara Monroy-Huddleston moved from Mexico in 1990 to become a citizen of the United States. In December, Huddleston, a Buena Vista Unviersity non-traditional student, graduated with a bachelor’s degree in Art and Political Science. For the past 12 years, she has been known for her efforts as Storm Lake’s first Latina councilwoman. Now, she is campaigning for Iowa State House. The winner of the primaries will be announced on June 7.

Huddleston moved to Storm Lake, Iowa, in 1990 searching for a job. When she first moved to the small town there were almost no Latinos and very few Asians. The diverse community Storm Lake is known for today was not yet established.

Huddleston’s first job was at the Storm Lake bakery. After one year at the bakery, she was hired as a teller at the bank. Three years into her time there, a counselor involved with the Council Against Domestic Violence approached Huddleston and offered her a job. Her bilingual capabilities were essential to the counselors at the organization. For the next 14 years, Huddleston went through intense training from psychiatrists, psychologists, and even the FBI. Huddleston was willing to learn everything and anything she could to help people including educating herself on cultural issues, diversity issues, and domestic violence issues. She began to spread the word of these issues, giving presentations in churches and organizations; first around town, the state, and then the country. The Storm Lake community started to recognize Huddleston by face and name due to her involvement.

It was then that good friend, journalist Chuck Offenburger, convinced Huddleston to run for city council. At first, Huddleston laughed at the idea, thinking there was no way she could win. As she campaigned, she began to realize the impact she had made on Storm Lake. Almost every door she knocked on pledged to vote. Finally, the votes were counted and the decision was made. Much to her surprise, Huddleston won the election.

After 12 years on state council, Huddleston felt ill equipped and uneducated in regards to the topics that mattered most to the people of Storm Lake. She decided to slow down and focus more on completing her degree.

Huddleston had a unique situation as a student at BVU. As a non-traditional student, she lived off campus with her own family. On top of the normal full time student homework load, Huddleston was deeply involved in the community while still finding time to attend her high school daughter’s activities, and tend to other family responsibilities. Based on her experience, Huddleston encourages young adults to stay in school and finish college before moving forward.

“Just don’t stop. Just finish it and graduate. If you can continue with your masters degree, even better! Because today, education is so important,” Huddleston said.

Huddleston graduated with a bachelor’s degree in Art and Political Science in December of 2015. A year prior, she received a call asking to consider running for Iowa State House. Huddleston was shocked and laughed at the idea of winning. To her surprise, the state had noticed all of her hard work and dedication to the Storm Lake community. She decided to take up the offer and run for Iowa State House. Huddleston has started her campaign and will do so until the date of the votes, June 7, 2016.

Photos courtesy of Sara Monroy-Huddleston