Laurie Hernandez, the 2016 Olympic gold medalist, was the featured guest at the Arkansas Democrat-Gazette All-Arkansas Preps Awards Banquet on Saturday.

What happened at the banquet?

The event honored over 400 top high school athletes and coaches from across the state at the Statehouse Convention Center in Little Rock.

Laurie Hernandez took photos with many of the honorees and sat down for a question and answer session with local radio personality David Bazzel.

Why it matters for Laurie Hernandez

Hernandez shared her experiences, including her gold medal win in the team competition at the 2016 Summer Olympics in Rio de Janeiro, where her teammates included Simone Biles, Gabby Douglas, Madison Kocian, and Aly Raisman.

She also earned an individual silver medal in the balance beam competition at Rio on August 15, 2016.

What comes next for Laurie Hernandez?

After retiring from gymnastics due to an injury in 2021, Hernandez has transitioned into an acting career, recently making her Broadway debut.

"I pursued a degree in drama and now I'm on Broadway," Hernandez told the audience, emphasizing that "your dreams are not too big and you are not too small to achieve them."

Hernandez also appeared on the 23rd season of television's "Dancing with the Stars" in 2016, where she, along with her dance partner Valentin Chmerkovskiy, won the competition on November 22, 2016.

She has also worked in broadcasting for NBC and has written two books, with her first book published on April 11, 2017.

Hernandez spoke about her struggles with anxiety, which were a constant issue for her during her gymnastics career.

"It was important for me to acknowledge the true facts of the situation," Hernandez said, emphasizing that "I am anxious, that's a fact... The anxious feeling is real."

Hernandez implored the young people at the banquet to pay attention to their mental health, stressing that many people feel pressured by arbitrary timelines.

When asked what advice she would give the athletes in the room, Hernandez explained that they have to be willing to deal with the failures that they will inevitably face throughout life.

"I worked so hard and everything worked out," Hernandez said, but noted that "there is another life where things work out four years later, there is another life where things didn't work out at all."

Hernandez emphasized the importance of taking chances and not succumbing to doubts that may prevent someone from trying, as she did when she won "Dancing with the Stars" at the age of 20.

"Because to do something, for it to not work out means that you tried and how cool are you? You are lucky enough to have failed because you put yourself out there," Hernandez said, at the age of 26.

Hernandez's message resonated with the young athletes in attendance, who were inspired by her journey and her emphasis on mental health.

The event was a success, with over 400 athletes and coaches in attendance, and Hernandez's presence was a highlight of the evening.

As Hernandez continues her acting career, she remains a role model for young athletes everywhere, showing them that with hard work and determination, they can achieve their dreams.

Hernandez's legacy extends beyond her athletic career, as she continues to inspire and motivate young people to pursue their passions.

The Arkansas Democrat-Gazette All-Arkansas Preps Awards Banquet was a celebration of the state's top high school athletes and coaches, and Hernandez's presence made it a truly special event.

The event was held on June 21, 2026, and it was a night to remember for the young athletes and coaches in attendance.

Hernandez's speech was a highlight of the evening, and her message will surely resonate with the young athletes for years to come.