Saturday, October 26, 2002

Q & A ... with Anna Martinez Vedro

Anna Martinez Vedro, 55, is a world history teacher at Abilene High School, a former coach and a community activist.

She was born in Mission. Her family came to Abilene in 1956 when her father helped build barracks at Dyess Air Force Base.

She graduated from Abilene High School and received a bachelor’s degree in secondary education in physical education and history from McMurry University in 1969. She also has a master’s degree in education and mid-management from Abilene Christian University.

Vedro is the District 5 director for the League of United Latin American Citizens and is secretary of the local LULAC council.

She is active in the Hispanic Leadership Council, Texas Association of Hispanic School Administrators, is secretary of the Democratic Party of Taylor County and is a Eucharistic minister at St. Vincent Pallotti Catholic Church. She has two grown children and two grandchildren.

What is the best lesson in history you can teach? Eventually, good wins over evil. I’m referring especially to the defeat of the Nazis in Germany.

When I was a kid, I wanted to be … a cowgirl. I loved watching Roy Rogers and Dale Evans and loved cowgirl outfits.

Right now, I would rather be … working with the Southern Poverty Law Center in Montgomery, Ala., with Morris Dees, an attorney who has fought against the Ku Klux Klan.

Shh! Don’t tell anyone that … I love the original Star Trek and The X-Files series.

My proudest moments were … when my son, John, and daughter, Melissa, graduated from college.

It really stinks when ... you’re waiting in line and the person who is supposed to be waiting on you is carrying on a personal conversation.

In the dictionary, my face is next to the word … focused. It is hard for me to break away from something when I get started on it.

They’re burying a time capsule, what will you put in? An hour long cassette of Latin music, cumbias and mariachis; family photos; a Bible; the book Saving Millie; and my brother’s medal when he was killed in Vietnam in 1967.

Three famous people I’d invite to dinner are … Oprah Winfrey, Morris Dees and Steven Seagal.

I would drop my plans tonight to … go see Billy Graham. I’m so sorry I missed him at Texas Stadium earlier this month.

So, what’s so great about me? I like to think I can bloom anywhere I am planted. I can make the best of things.

What did you have for lunch today? Carne guisada.

If I had a million dollars I would … pay off all my debts. My dream is to go to bed at least one night without owing anybody any money.

If I’ve learned anything at all it is … tomorrow is another day, like Scarlett O’Hara would say.

— Helena Rodriguez

from the Reporter-News