Lindsay Thorngren is only two years older now than her mother Elizabeth was when she left the Dominican Republic for the United States at the age of 15. The mother of the 2022 World Junior bronze medalist was born and raised in San Juan de la Maguana, the capital of the San Juan province and one of the country's oldest cities.
The historic town, which sits in the valley, takes its name from Saint John the Baptist and from the Taíno's name for the valley, Maguana.
"Dominican culture is a mix of the traditions of the Taino Natives, Africans and Spaniard colonists," said Thorngren, 17. "[This mix] has made the culture and the people vibrant and unique."
Despite visiting the Dominican as a young child, Thorngren does not remember much of the Caribbean country. Thorngren's mother, parents and siblings immigrated to the U.S. with hopes of finding better education and employment opportunities. But, in doing so, they had to leave many relatives behind.
Thorngren hopes one day she can return and visit her extended family to learn more about her roots and mother's home country. After all, according to the young skater, Dominican culture is very family and community oriented.
"My mom is very close to all of her sisters and her brother. She talks to them every day, and family is very important to us," Thorngren, who also identifies as half Italian-American, shared.
In fact, Thorngren attributes her family for helping her stay connected to her Dominican culture and understanding her roots. During the holidays, Thorngren's mom can be found cooking Dominican food for her family with music from her home country playing in the background. Some of Thorngren's favorites include arepas and empanadas and bachata.
"I don't think people would think [I'm Dominican] because of the way I look. I'm very pale," Thorngren explained. "I think my Dominican culture is what makes me a unique person and a unique skater. I'm proud to identify as a Dominican American figure skating athlete."
As the 2021 Up and Coming Mabel Fairbanks Skatingly Yours Fund award winner, Thorngren has long been passionate about raising awareness for access to figure skating and representing her community. She joins a small group of fellow Hispanic and Latinx figure skaters who have made it to the elite level in the sport.
"I have always been inspired by [Spanish Olympian] Javier Fernandez, who has made a big contribution to the Hispanic community," Thorngren said. "But the lack of current Hispanic skaters has driven me to want to advocate for more diversity and inclusion in the sport."
The late Cathy Machado Gray was the first Hispanic and Latina to represent the United States at the Olympic Winter Games in 1956. Rudy Galindo became the first Mexican American U.S. champion in 1996 and went on to win the bronze medal at the 1996 World Championships. Since then, ice dancer Karina Manta (whose family is from Uruguay) competed for Team USA from 2015-19; Rohene Ward (who was the 2004 Puerto Rican national champion) has become an award-winning coach and choreographer; and Donovan Carrillo became the first Mexican skater to qualify for the Winter Olympics when he went to Beijing in 2022.
Now, Thorngren is among a new generation of Latinx skaters representing Team USA.
"Another role model [outside of figure skating] who inspires me is Oscar de la Renta. He was a renowned Dominican fashion designer and philanthropist," Thorngren stated. "He used his success to help others by building a school and orphanage in his home country. And, I would like to contribute as much as he did."
One idea Thorngren has is to build an ice rink on the island so that other young people can learn how to skate and be a part of the sport.
"I don't think there are any [ice rinks], and that's one of the reasons I haven't really visited," added Thorngren, who dedicates almost all of her time to training.
As Hispanic Heritage Month is honored from Sept. 15 through Oct. 15, Thorngren noted the importance of recognizing the many contributions and influences of Hispanic and Latinx people, like de la Renta, who have made a difference to the history and culture of the U.S.
"Through my sport and sharing my story, I hope to not only inspire the Hispanic and Latinx communities, but to all other minorities who come to this country and want to make a difference."
