Tri-Valley Teen and 'AcroArmy' Place Third in Televisions' America's Got Talent

Finalists on the NBC reality competition show America’s Got Talent, AcroArmy, which features members of the U.S. National Team, finished in third place. Ani Smith, a 16-year-old student at Vineyard Alternative School in Livermore and member of the elite gymnastics group, had this to say, “I love AGT [America’s Got Talent] and this marvelous experience has been an honor. To be performing at Radio City Music Hall is riveting, and has helped me grow as a person tremendously.”

Ani has won many International gold medals and is a 6-time National Champion. She has been training 8 years in acrobatic gymnastics, has been on the USA Gymnastics National Team for seven years and trains at West Coast Training Center in Livermore.

AcroArmy will perform for America’s Got Talent Live at Planet Hollywood Resort & Casino in Las Vegas on September 26 and 27 with the top 6 finalists. The performances will be an opportunity to shine and the last hurrah together for the contestants who started their journey at auditions last year.

According to the USA Gymnastics website, President Steve Penny says “we are so proud of AcroArmy and their performance on America’s Got Talent”. “These amazing athletes have taken their sport to a new height and proven that determination and commitment can result in great achievement. AcroArmy exemplifies the USA Gymnastics motto of Begin Here... Go Anywhere. AcroArmy’s journey on America’s Got Talent was inspiring, as each week they soared to new heights, pushed the envelope, wowed the judges and showed millions of Americans the beauty of gymnastics”.

Two-time mixed pairs World champion Arthur Davis brought the group together. He told USA Gymnastics earlier this month that, “this is all about showing the beauty of what we do and how many years we’ve worked hard for it.”

—Information, photo submitted by Livermore Valley Joint Unified School District