VICENZA, Italy — A senior at Vicenza High School, Avonlea Sparling, has been named the 2025 Military Youth of the Year for Europe for the Boys and Girls Club program, adding another accolade to her list of achievements.
Sparling, who serves as captain of both the school’s soccer and volleyball teams and is the president of the National Honor Society, had previously earned the title of USAG Italy Youth of the Year. Her recent victory in Ramstein, Germany, saw her competing against 16 other youth representatives from across the various military branches stationed in Europe.
With this European title, Sparling now advances to the next level of the competition: the Northeast Military Youth of the Year event held in New York City.
The Youth of the Year program, now in its 78th year, annually recognizes teenagers who demonstrate exceptional leadership, a strong commitment to service, outstanding academic performance, and a dedication to their own health and well-being.
Emily Beik, a Child and Youth Services Training Specialist in Vicenza, emphasized the significance of the program.
“This program really recognizes those as individuals that go out of their way to better their community, to better their peers and to be a voice for everyone,” Beik said.
Beik also highlighted the valuable insights gained from working with these young leaders.
“I learned how dedicated our youth are. If you give them an outlet to strive for, they really have great ideas. We need to listen to our youth, what they want to do, listen to their voices, because sometimes we go with what adults think and what we need to do. They have great ideas too,” she added.
Sparling expressed her pride and excitement upon receiving the honor. “I feel really proud of myself, and I'm really excited that I was able to come through for my community,” she said.
Reflecting on her unique background, Sparling shared, “I think the biggest fun fact about me was that I've never lived in America. I was born in Japan and lived there for eight years, and that's where my sister and I were born. And then we moved to Italy, and that's where my third sister is born. Then I've lived here for the rest of my life.”
Looking ahead, Sparling emphasized her desire to advocate for her fellow students.
“I want to make sure everyone has a voice and that teens are accurately supported, like through mental health issues, because a lot of students come to me, especially in these past years after COVID, saying they don't feel comfortable talking to an adult,” she explained.
Jessica Sparling, Avonlea’s mother and a school psychologist at the Vicenza middle school, noted her daughter’s proactive approach to opportunities. “She's really good at paying attention to the opportunities, and when she sees something, she has the confidence in saying, ‘Oh, I can go get that,’ as opposed to saying, ‘Oh, that's for somebody else,’” she said.
Jeff Sparling, Avonlea’s father and a fifth-grade teacher at Vicenza Elementary School, echoed this sentiment. “I would say that that's the difference that we as educators try to always tell our kids, our own personal kids of course, but the ones in our environment is, you just go after it, put yourself in that situation and make it an opportunity. Then if you get it, it's a plus. But if you don't even show up, then you don't even have that opportunity,” said Sparling.
Avonlea Sparling’s journey to the Military Youth of the Year competition in New York City marks a significant achievement, not only for her but also for the Vicenza military community. Her dedication to leadership, service, academics, and the well-being of her peers serves as an example for youth across the globe.
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