A hometown welcome that all aspiring artists imagine but few will ever experience. That’s what Jessica Sanchez got last week at her hometown visit as one of the last 3 singers left in the latest season of American Idol. After many weeks of competition, Jessica Sanchez finally earned her spot in the top three and headed home to Chula Vista, California, to bask in the glow of her new found fame. Cheered by thousands of fans, Jessica waved as she rode through town in a car with her two little brothers in the morning Saturday, May 12. Just as the previous Idols who are rewarded with hometown visits, the Chula Vista mayor honored Jessica by declaring May 12 as the “Jessica Sanchez Day.” Chula Vista, California is truly the only home Jessica has ever known. She was born here on August 4, 1995 to parents Gilbert and Editha Sanchez. She was raised here all her young life along with two younger brothers. Her father, a Mexican American originally from Texas, is a U.S. Navy veteran who fought in the Iraq War, served in Afghanistan, and will soon be deployed to Singapore. Her mother is Filipino American originally from Bataan province in the Philippines. Inspired by her Filipino Roman Catholic grandmother, Sanchez carries a rosary everywhere and prays quietly before going on stage.