AP Photo/David J. PhillipLauren "Laurie" Hernandez is making history!
She is the U.S. Olympic gymnastics team's youngest member, having only just qualified for the team when she turned 16 on June 9th this year. It's not only her outstanding talent and loveable personality is quickly making her a fan favorite. Even 2016 presidential candidate Hillary Clinton tweeted about her saying, "Laurie Hernandez is the first U.S.-born Latina on the Olympic gymnastics team since '84. Good luck! #ImWithHernandez"
Here are just a few fun facts about one of the youngest stars on Team USA:
1. She's Loyal: Laurie has been working with the same coach, Maggie Haney, for her entire career. "As much as a sacrifice I make for this sport, you make as much for me every day, and I'm so grateful," Laurie wrote in a message for Haney on Instagram.
2. It's a Family Thing: Her sister Jelysa is a black belt in karate and Marcus is a varsity track runner.
3. She's Been Doing Gymnastics Since She was 5: Laurie's parents signed her up for dance and ballet classes, but she wasn't interested, she wanted to do a different sport. "My earliest memory was watching gymnastics on live TV, and wanting to do what the 'big girls' did," she said to NBC.
4. Laurie Loves a Good Mani: Aside from doing cool nail designs, she also likes to write poetry.
5. Caribbean Roots: Laurie is a second-generation American, and her grandparents are from Puerto Rico.
6. She's Known as the "Human Emoji": The title was given to Laurie by International Gymnast because of her lively personality.
7. She Suffered a Knee Injury: In 2014, a knee injury and torn ligament kept her from competing for an entire year. But she didn't let that stop her in 2015 and became undefeated in all of her competitions.