A rising soccer star and a passionate biomedicine student

When first meeting Holly Sposato, one is struck by her vibrant spirit and determination. Balancing school, a part-time job at McDonald's, a passion for soccer and a strong social commitment, Holly's journey is one of dedication and ambition.

Holly’s background is a rich blend of Italian and Australian heritage. She has lived her entire life in Melbourne. Her Italian roots, particularly from her grandfather, have profoundly influenced her, but her Australian upbringing, coming from her mother’s side of the family, has been equally significant. One of Holly’s life pillars is her love for soccer, a passion that began at an early age and was inspired by her family’s love of the game. “All my siblings played soccer, and my family was very oriented to soccer. I always grew up around it. When I was younger, I felt like whatever my siblings wanted to do, I wanted to tag along. So, I just started from there and I've loved it ever since,” Holly recalls.

Talking with Holly quickly reveals her versatile character as well as her multifaceted upbringing, which she pours into everything she does. On the field, she primarily plays as a striker, but she also plays midfield and occasionally on the wing. Her commitment and discipline towards the game have led to significant achievements: she has captained her soccer team to a national state championship victory and has been invited to play for the Australian football team. She also plays futsal—as she describes it, “an indoor soccer-like game”—representing Victoria twice and twice winning the national state championships.
‍

Like many young adults, Holly hasn’t figured out her future yet. She would love to continue playing soccer, whether that means remaining in Australia with her family or going abroad where soccer flourishes the most. At the same time, she dreams of traveling the world, possibly exploring Japan and Europe, or even Italy and Greece. She is considering taking a sabbatical to get to know the world and herself better. Who knows what the future will hold? One thing is certain: her recent selection to trial for a VIP football team is a significant milestone that could potentially open the door to her professional sports career as an adult. “The trial will be in a few months. If it goes well, it could be a starting point for progressing my career,” she says. Holly's life in sports is defined by commitment and focus, qualities that extend into her personal pursuits.

Holly’s story embodies passion, resilience, dreams and justice. With much left to explore and accomplish, she has built a life uniquely her own, reflecting her fervent and righteous personality, as well as her origins. She will soon be travelling to Italy with her family to attend the European soccer championships, where they will support Italy, and use the trip as an opportunity to reconnect with her Italian roots. With her eyes set on a professional soccer career and a life filled with meaningful commitments, Holly is poised to achieve greatness both on and off the field.
‍

Shortly after, we had the pleasure of meeting Thomas Martinelli, a second-year Biomedicine student at the University of Melbourne. Thomas is known for his unwavering dedication to academic study, musical, and his Italian heritage.

Thomas's interest in Biomedicine was kindled during his high school years, particularly through his engagement with chemistry. This fascination naturally evolved into a desire to understand human diseases and their treatments. His decision to pursue Biomedicine is driven by a combination of curiosity and a strong problem-solving instinct. "You have to be good at problem-solving to be able to see all the symptoms, what could lead to this and then the treatment afterwards," he explains.

During our conversation, his awareness and humility regarding his achievements and successes become evident. He credits his school’s nurturing environment for enabling him to excel academically: “I appreciated the collaborative and supportive space provided by the teachers. I think what drove me [was that] I really enjoy learning. That sounds a bit cliché, but the subjects that I was doing in high school were very  motivating, and so too were the teachers" he recalls.
‍

Looking ahead, Thomas sees a career in oncology, a field he perceives as both challenging and rewarding. What particularly interests him is the clinical aspect of oncology, where he can engage directly with patients and apply his problem-solving skills to real-world scenarios. "I prefer to do in-hospital and in-clinic work rather than research, just because you get to interact with the patients more," he explains. As mentioned earlier, Thomas comes from an Italian family, a significant factor in shaping his identity and aspirations. Growing up in an Italian family, he values the strong familial connections and rich cultural traditions. This meant frequent gatherings that formed strong familial bonds. "I remember when I was younger, there were these ... family gatherings, and you’d see all of your cousins, [and] everyone just came together, which was really special," he reflects. These experiences instilled in him a deep sense of community and empathy—qualities essential in the medical profession.
‍

Cultural heritage obviously plays a significant role in shaping Holly and Thomas's identities and aspirations. For both the Italian heritage instils a strong sense of familial connection and cultural tradition, enriching their life experiences and influencing their career goals. Thomas and Holly share common threads of resiliance, pride and commitment  to preserving and celebrating their cultural indentities.
‍
Their journeys serve as a testament to the transformative power of cultural heritage, bridging divides, fostering connections, and enriching lives in meaningful ways. As they begin to navigate their future, Thomas and Holly continue to draw strength from their cultural backgrounds, forging paths of excellence, leadership, and service that honour their ancestors and inspire future generations to embrace their heritage with pride and purpose.
‍

Cover: Holly Sposato on the pitch
Images provided by Holly Sposato and Thomas Martinelli