Bonnie Contreras, Army Spouse

Sending her husband, First Lieutenant Aaron Contreras, to war was one of the bravest things Bonnie Contreras has ever had to do. Standing in the early morning Idaho cold, Bonnie held close both their six month old daughter, Amara, and their four year old daughter, Kenya, watching as Aaron saluted them before takeoff.

As Bonnie recalls her sentiment that day, “The pride and devastation were equal, but I knew I was strong enough to stand and send him to duty and I knew that we would be waiting with equal anticipation for his return.” And return he did, which at that point, Bonnie and Aaron moved to Moscow, Idaho, where they both entered graduate programs at the University of Idaho.

It is here where Bonnie has continued her studies in special education and school counseling as she works towards her education specialist degree. Upon graduation, Bonnie plans to work as a school psychologist at the elementary level and eventually earn a PhD in child psychology. Additionally, raised in a family focused on service, it is Bonnie’s goal to pass that focus onto her two daughters and son, Xander.