Celebrating Our Champions: 2025 Senior Spotlight
As another school year draws to a close, we’re celebrating Gem City’s graduating seniors from our team programs who have been an important part of the Gem City family— Sierra Bergman and Ruby Akerson.
These remarkable athletes have dedicated years to perfecting their skills, contributing to our gym community, and achieving impressive accomplishments along the way.
We invite our entire Gem City community to join us in congratulating our graduating seniors and wishing them the very best as they embark on their next chapters. If you see them around the gym over the coming weeks, please take a moment to share your well wishes!
Sierra Bergman
“I am a senior at Quincy Notre Dame High School where I am on the cheer team. I’m currently an advanced athlete on the tumbling team and I’ve been taking classes at the gym since I was 5 years old. I’ve competed on the tumbling team since I was 10 years old, and I won a state championship last year as a sub advanced athlete!
I have also worked for the gym doing birthday parties since I was 15. I’m so grateful for all the people and coaches at the gym! I’ve made many friends and learned countless life lessons. Gem City is a family to me, and it has made me who I am!
After graduating, I will be attending Mizzou in Columbia, Missouri and majoring in health sciences.”
Ruby Akerson
“Hi, my name is Ruby Akerson, and I am a senior at Palmyra High School, set to graduate in May 2025. In the fall of 2025, I plan to move to Columbia to attend Moberly Area Community College, where I will pursue a degree in Elementary Education and work toward earning my bachelor’s degree.
I have been part of Gem City since I was three years old, and my journey in gymnastics and tumbling has been a significant part of my life. From 2015 – 2018, I competed on the gymnastics team, and in 2016 I joined the tumbling team. I currently compete as an advanced athlete on the tumbling team. I have won two state championships as an advanced athlete, and I won first place at the national championship this last year!
Outside of the gym I have been a cheerleader at Palmyra every year since 7th grade. I attend church at The Crossing in Quincy, Illinois, where I volunteer as a mentor for kindergartners where I help them start their relationship with Jesus and grow their faith. I am incredibly grateful for the time I’ve spent in the gym and the impact my coaches have had on my life. Their guidance and support have helped shape me into the person I am today.”
Congratulations to Sierra and Ruby! Your dedication, accomplishments, and years of commitment to Gem City have left a lasting impression. We’re incredibly proud of you both and can’t wait to see all that you’ll accomplish in your future endeavors.
The Gem City family wishes you the absolute best as you begin this exciting new chapter. Once a Gem City athlete, always a Gem City athlete!
Good luck next week as you attend your last tumbling State Championships!
