RANCHO CORDOVA, CA (MPG) - "There isn't anything like it. For me, home is where it had all started," says ice skater Justine Lopez after performing in a series of Disney on Ice shows held in Sacramento in mid-February.  

Growing up in Rancho Cordova and also a current resident, Justine had the opportunity to perform close to home over the recent holidays at the Golden 1 Center, which she described as being an honor. The theme of the Disney on Ice shows was "Follow Your Heart," which led Justine back to where her journey began. 

"With the theme of the show, it's as if I 'followed my heart' back home to my roots," she says. "There's always just a special feeling performing close to home."

Justine's memories of growing up in Rancho Cordova include going to the rink and practicing early in the morning, then commuting to school, then going to the dance studio, then heading back to the rink, and once again heading to the dance studio before returning home. Basically, Justine has kept busy for quite some time, working to perfect her skills as much as possible. But as busy as she is, Justine still takes the time to appreciate her surroundings.

On growing up in Rancho Cordova, Justine says, "It wasn't the busy part that was so fond, but rather the landscapes that I would take in."

Since joining the Disney on Ice tour, Justine has traveled all over, but has noticed the changes in Rancho Cordova every time she returns.

"Whenever I get to go home during a break from tour, I take notice of the establishments that have grown in businesses around the area. Other than that, the same feeling I get when I'm home is always there. Nostalgic," says Lopez. 

And what's next for Justine Lopez? She is currently finishing the West Coast portion of her tour and making her way to Florida for rehearsals to prepare for the Asia/Australia/New Zealand shows. With all the time and hard work Justine puts in to becoming the best skater she can be, she still finds the time to work on earning a Bachelor's degree in Business after receiving her Associate's degree this past year. From there, the sky is the limit for Rancho Cordova's shining star.