Hispanic Heritage Month Highlight: Jesus Perez

National Hispanic Heritage Month is Sept. 15 to Oct. 15, and USTA Nebraska is recognizing Jesus Perez of Elkhorn for his accomplishments.

Jesus Perez was born in La Guaira, Venezuela, and grew up around the sun, sand and surf. When he was 13 years old his family moved to the town of Carrizal, where a friendship blossomed as well as his love of tennis.

“I met Jeremias, a young tennis prodigy,” Perez said. “Although I couldn’t afford his club’s membership fees, Jeremias and his family generously snuck me in so we could hang out every day. Eventually, they even added me to their membership, solidifying our bond.”

When Perez was 16, his family moved to Miami. He started working at a Venezuelan bakery and developed a passion for baking and cooking. He eventually earned a degree from Le Cordon Bleu College of Culinary Arts, which marked the beginning of an exciting career.

“I spent the following years honing my skills in various hotels, resorts, restaurants and bakeries across Miami, Orlando and Iowa, including a memorable stint at Ameristar Casino,” Perez recalled. “My time in the kitchen working my way up to become a chef remains the highlight of my culinary journey. The camaraderie, the creative energy and the satisfaction of crafting delicious dishes brought me immense joy.”

The demanding schedule of working as a chef took a toll on Perez and his family, and he shifted to a career of sales and advertising. He believes months like Hispanic Heritage Month are significant because they promote a sense of belonging and unity in our diverse nation.

“Ultimately, recognizing and appreciating our diverse backgrounds fosters a stronger, more inclusive society where we can grow closer, accept and even cherish the very differences that make us unique,” Perez said.

When a new humanitarian parole program for Venezuelans was enacted, Perez reached out to Jeremias, his childhood tennis partner and best friend, offering to sponsor him if he wanted to move to the U.S. He is now living in Nebraska and thriving.

“He has a good job at Walmart and even plays on our USTA tennis teams (18+ and 40+),” Perez said. “It's been amazing to reconnect with Jeremias and watch our friendship flourish once again.”

The theme of this year’s Hispanic Heritage Month is Pioneers of Change: Shaping the Future Together. To read additional National Hispanic Heritage Month articles from around the USTA Missouri Valley, click here.