By Scott Nickerson
Elmore/Autauga News
Stanhope Elmore senior Olivia Raife started taking gymnastics at the Prattville YMCA in the Little Crickets classes when she was just 17 months old. Seventeen years later, Raife is a Level 10 gymnast and has a full gymnastics scholarship to attend Southeast Missouri State University. She has a long list of gymnastic awards received during the during that time, but she has an equally, if not more, impressive list of academic accomplishments.
Practice times early on when she started out were twice a week for a couple of hours. Nowadays, Raife practices five days a week for 4.5 hours each day. When she isn’t practicing herself, she is helping coach gymnastics. She is a Level 10 gymnast, which is the highest level in the USA Gymnastics Junior Olympics Program.
As a Level 10 gymnast, Raife has had to travel to Georgia, Florida, Tennessee, North Carolina and even Nevada. “My most memorable moment in gymnastics was when I received 2nd place at the competition in Las Vegas, and first place in Tennessee,” she said.
She also received 1st place in all events in the first meet of her senior year. She has qualified for regionals several times and was a regional vault champion and 2nd place regional vault champion.
“My favorite and best event is probably vault. My coaches say I am the powerhouse and vault queen. My favorite vault to complete is the yurchenko 1 1/2. I also really enjoy doing bars because I feel like that is the closest thing to me flying. But I have a love for all events in a different way.”
Additional gymnastics honors Raife has won include Level 10 State 3rd Place AAA Champion, Leslie Rogers Spirit of Gymnastics Award (2022), Beth Jenkins Gymnastics Leadership Award (2021), and the Becky James Best Competitor Award (2017).
Winning so many awards and honors caught the attention of several college gymnastics programs, and Raife accepted a full scholarship offer to Southeast Missouri University.
“SEMO’s environment and culture felt like home and that was my main focus in school. It’s really hard for a young adult to go out into the real world blindly, but SEMO assured me that they would be supportive throughout the process.”
Raife has already set several goals for college and beyond, with plans to major in Architectural Engineering with an emphasis in Construction Management. After college, she hopes to become an officer in the US Air Force.
“Joining the US Air Force would help me grow as a leader, both in and out of uniform, and will help me develop the skills and character necessary to succeed in all areas of life. Becoming an Air Force officer will give me the opportunity to serve my country as a leader and set a positive example for the next generation of Americans in position of authority.”
Raife’s lofty college goals and career plans have developed, in part, to a strong foundation. She is a member of the Pilgrim Rest Missionary Baptist Church and works to spread the gospel through church ministries. These include Youth choir, Youth Usher, Media Ministry Technician, Youth Sunday school Chaplain and Nursery Volunteer. Her favorite bible verse is Proverbs 3: 5-6.
In addition to church activities, and gymnastic activities, Raife has excelled academically and in school. She has maintained a 4.1 GPA. At Stanhope Elmore High School, she is the Senior Class President, President of the National Beta Club, President of National English Honor Society, Treasurer of Jr. Civitan, Mu Alpha Theta, National Honor Society President, FBLA, National Spanish Honor Society President, DECA, and FCCLA.
Raife has accomplished so much in her short life, but she maintains that she will continue to honor God and work to glorify Him in all that she does.
