Biography
My family is from El Salvador. Two of my siblings were born in El Salvador and my sister and I were born in Washington, DC. My mother came to the U.S. in 1965 and my father soon followed in 1971. They settled in Washington, DC and that is where we were raised. Even as a child it was evident to me just how much my parents worked. That is how I know my parents; as hard workers. I think that ethic is deeply ingrained in me. To know the Contreras family is to know hard workers. It’s what makes me most proud about myself, my parents and my siblings; there is very little work we would shy from. In part it is what allowed my parents to succeed in this country and for that I am thankful. In the same manner that I can work hard, my parents also taught us the art of fun and traveling.
A passion I learned from my parents is the love of travel; some of my fondest memories are of riding in the car. Even when it was uncomfortable and so long it was always fun. Most family road trips were caravans, with extended family members following behind. I come from a large extended family and there were many cousins my age. So though the travel may have been annoying, I always knew that I’d be having fun soon and oh, how adventurous it all was.
To this day that love endures. There is nothing I like better than taking a road trip with friends. I’ve explored most of the East Coast. I have been to Mexico, the Bahamas, and El Salvador. Important in my life has been the time I have spent in El Salvador. El Salvador was where I spent most of my summer vacations when I was in grade school. It gave me a connection to my heritage that I think I would have lost had it not been part of my experience growing up. To this day it is my dream to go back to El Salvador to work for a period of time. I hope that my future holds many travels as I consider it an important part of learning about humanity.
I think that my most endearing quality is my excitement for things. This includes spending time with friends, family, strangers, and co-workers. I like people, and what I like most is experiencing them. That’s when I’m most whole. What people share with me matters to me because it’s when I learn most about who I am.
One thing I want people to know about who I am is that Jeanne Stevens existed in my life. Jeanne and I met in 8th grade. She was my academic tutor, but she opened me up to a world beyond academics. Jeanne’s commitment to my learning surpassed the classroom. She taught me about good books, NPR, the Washington Opera, world music, and world food. Basically she took this inner city kid, and showed her the city she lived in. It is because of Jeanne that I love DC.
Jeanne also taught me about losing someone I love. When I was 17 Jeanne was diagnosed with ovarian cancer. She lost her battle to cancer in 2000, after valiantly fighting the disease for three years. It was one the most painful experiences that I have had to endure. She made it okay, because she allowed me the space to grieve even before she was gone. Jeanne took the time to make me a part of her family and she of mine, and for every lesson she imparted I am so thankful.
