Hispanic Heritage Month celebrates the histories, cultures and contributions of Hispanic and Latin American communities — and in the world of figure skating, few stories embody that spirit more than 16‑year‑old Jessica Jurka's.
 
Her rise in a sport where Latin American athletes are still emerging offers a powerful reminder that representation matters, and that heritage can be a source of strength on and off the ice.

 
When you think of countries that dominate figure skating, Peru rarely makes the list. But every time Jurka takes the ice, she quietly expands that map — showing young skaters across the Americas that talent can come from anywhere.
 
Jurka, the reigning U.S. junior pewter medalist, was born in Lima, Peru. Today she trains in Colorado Springs, Colorado, representing the Thunderbirds Figure Skating Club as she climbs the national and international ranks. Her journey is one of athletic ambition, but also of cultural connection — a story rooted in family, identity and the desire to inspire others who may not see themselves reflected in the sport.
 
"My mom is Peruvian and my dad is American, and they met while working on a gas plant construction project in Peru," Jurka said.
 
Though her family moved to the United States when she was a toddler, Jurka's connection to her Peruvian heritage never faded.
 
"My mom has always spoken Spanish to me and kept Peruvian culture present in our house," she said. "I'm proud of my Peruvian background, and it has always been an important part of my identity."
 
In 2022, Jurka returned to Lima and performed an exhibition program at a local rink. For her mother, Olga Jurka, watching Jessica skate in Peru was emotional.
 
"I felt so proud to watch her perform in my home country, and it was special for my family and friends to see her skate in person," Olga said. "I would love for her to have the opportunity to perform there again now that she's older and has grown so much in the sport."
 
During that visit, Jurka also spent time with young Peruvian skaters — many of whom train on limited ice time and in facilities far smaller than those available in the United States. Currently, there is only one permanent indoor ice rink in the entire country: Iceland Park, located in the Mall Aventura Santa Anita in Lima.
 
"It was humbling to see how many children love figure skating and how hard they're working to achieve their goals despite the challenges they face," she said. "Their excitement and determination really stayed with me. It made me appreciate the opportunities I've had, and it was meaningful to share something that has been such a big part of my life with young skaters in the country where I was born."
 
As her skating career has accelerated, so has Jurka's awareness of what representation can mean to others — especially during Hispanic Heritage Month, which is observed from Sept. 15 through Oct. 15 and honors the impact of Hispanic and Latin American communities across the United States.

 
"The moments that feel most meaningful are when younger Hispanic or Peruvian skaters tell me that seeing me compete makes them feel represented," Jurka said. "Figure skating isn't a sport where we always see many Latin American athletes, so knowing that my journey might help someone else believe there could be a place for them in the sport means a lot to me. It also reminds me to be proud of where I come from and of the people who have helped me get here."
 
Her mother hopes that ripple effect continues to grow.
 
"I hope Jessica's journey inspires other Peruvians and South Americans to pursue figure skating," Olga said. "I'm hoping seeing someone with Peruvian heritage succeed in the sport encourages them to dream big, work hard and believe that there's no limit to what they can accomplish, despite the limited access to ice, training facilities and other resources available to them."
 
In a sport where Latin American athletes are still emerging, Jurka is forging a path that others may one day follow.  
 
"To me, being a pioneer doesn't necessarily mean doing everything alone," she said. "It means taking a step forward and then helping make the path a little easier for the people who come next."

That philosophy guides her both on and off the ice. Whether she's competing at major events, connecting with younger skaters or sharing her story, Jurka hopes her presence helps expand the sport's sense of who belongs and who can succeed.
 
"I hope my achievements show young skaters in Peru and throughout South America that they belong in figure skating and that big goals are possible, even if the sport is still developing where they live," she said. "Talent can come from anywhere. I would love for more children to discover skating, receive greater opportunities and feel confident dreaming about competing at a high level."