Rigby welcomes local Olympian home

Local Olympic snowboarder JessiKa Jenson was welcomed home to Rigby Wednesday night.

The Rigby High School cafeteria was filled with family, friends and fans of Jenson. She just returned from the Olympics in South Korea, which she says, were the time of her life.

She had a fire and police escort to the Rigby High School where she was greeted by fans. Many of them said JessiKa is their hero.

“That she snowboards and I want to,” six-year-old Alexis said.

“Because she’s my favorite,” Liza, a JessiKa Jenson fan, said.

The small town is excited to have a local Olympian home.

“I think it’s amazing,” Briley Wight, Rigby native, said. “Rigby’s like super small so it’s like super well-known to have someone come from here. It kind of makes it more of a, more populated community. We love it.”

Jenson just returned after being in South Korea for more than two weeks, competing in the Slopestyle and Big Air events.

“It means a lot ot have this warm welcoming celebration for me,” Jenson said. “To have my community behind me and all the fans for such a warm welcoming.”

Despite not receiving a medal, she says she had the time of her life. One of her favorite moments was walking in the opening ceremonies.

“I had the best time of my life in Pyeongchang,” she said. “I’m kind of sad that it’s over. I enjoyed every moment of it and met so many new friends. I just had the time of my life.”

As for whether she’ll compete in the next winter Olympics in 20-22….

“I’m kind of 50-50 right now,” Jenson said. “I had so much fun and I would love to bring home a medal after being that close in Slopestyle. But I’m also torn between school. I only have two more online classes then the rest have to be on campus. So it’ll be a tough decision.”

Jenson placed 5th in Slopestyle and 11th in the debut Big Air at this year’s Olympics.