- December 4, 2025
-
-
Loading
Loading
Fresh off her second trip to the AAU Junior Olympics, 7-year-old Violet Lukens has quickly taken to the sport she began a couple of years ago. Lukens started her competitive journey at the copper level and began racking up the accomplishments.
Lukens’ first big win came at the Gasparilla Classic, the nation’s largest youth gymnastics event, when she claimed the gold medal in the all-around. That win clinched Lukens a spot at her first Junior Olympics, where she went on to finish first in two events — the uneven bars and balance beams, and was given the All-American award.
This year, Lukens — despite jumping up two divisions, skipping the bronze competition level and beginning to compete at the silver ranks — the success didn’t stop. Once again, she claimed the all-around title at the Gasparilla Classic and earned her spot at the Junior Olympics in Houston, Texas.
“I had so much fun traveling to Houston for the AAU Junior Olympic Games and getting to spend three days with my mom and dad and my coach,” Lukens said.
There, Lukens faced 86 other silver-level gymnasts — all of whom were older than the second-grader.
“My first event was vault, and I had one of my best scores all season to start,” she said. “Next was bars, where I scored a 9.925, which felt amazing,”
She followed with a good outing in the balance beams event and closed with one of her best scores of the year in her floor routine, a 9.8. When it was all said and done, Lukens brought home four total medals and finished on top of the entire division.
Age: 7
Sport: Gymnastics
Grade: Second
School: Bay Lake Elementary
How does it feel to be named Athlete of the Week?
I feel really special.
What do you enjoy the most about gymnastics?
I love doing flips and spending time with my friends.
What is the biggest lesson you’ve learned from gymnastics?
Do not do things that you are not ready to do. It’s important to listen to your coach and learn to do things the right way.
What is your favorite gymnastics memory?
Learning to get my Kip, because it took a long time.
Who is your favorite athlete?
Simone Biles, because she is amazing!
What is your go-to pre-meet meal?
Turkey and Cheese Sub.
What is your go-to pre-meet hype song?
“All I do is Win.”
What is your favorite non-sports hobby?
Shopping.
What is your favorite subject in school?
Science, because you get to do experiments.
What are three things you would take with you to a deserted island?
Poofy — my favorite stuffed animal — my sister and my gymnastics mat, so I could have fun with my sister.
What is your favorite movie?
“Wonka,” because I love the music and chocolate.
If you could have dinner with one person — dead or alive — who would it be?
Simone Biles, because she’s my hero!
If you could go back in time to a specific period in history, when and where would you go?
Back to when my mommy was teaching summer camp, because I love spending time with her.
If you could ask your future self a question, what would it be?
What skill took the longest to get?
Who is your favorite superhero?
Moana, because she never gave up.
Who is your favorite supervillain?
Star Wars villains, because they fight hard.
If you could have any superpower, what would it be and why?
To make peace and harmony, because I want the world to be a good place.
If you could travel to three places in the world, where would you go and why?
Paris, because I can see the Eiffel Tower; California to eat food; and New Jersey to see my grandma.
If you could be an animal for a day, which one would you be and why?
Puppy, because people will cuddle me.
What is your most controversial food take?
I love shrimp, because most 7-year-olds don’t eat shrimp.
Does pineapple belong on pizza?
Yes.
