Pahrump Valley High School junior Billy Sparks is stepping onto a national stage as he competes in the prestigious Sports Illustrated Youth Athlete of the Year contest. Known among his coaches and teammates for his teamwork, sportsmanship, and dedication, Billy has quickly distinguished himself as a standout athlete. Now, he has the opportunity to represent Pahrump and show the country what makes him exceptional both on and off the field.
The contest, which runs until October 2, is a multi-stage competition that narrows participants through daily voting. Each supporter can vote once per day, with no purchase or registration required, helping their favorite athletes advance. Billy’s journey has already been impressive: after entering the contest just a few weeks ago, he quickly made it through the first round, placing in the top 20 of his group, and now competes among the top 15. The competition will continue to narrow to the top five, then quarterfinals, semifinals, and finals, with the ultimate winner receiving a professional photo shoot, a feature in Sports Illustrated, and a $25,000 cash prize—a significant boost as Billy looks toward college in the next few years.
Billy’s mother, Jennifer Sparks, shared the story behind his entry. “A few weeks ago, I noticed other parents on Facebook asking for votes for their kids in this contest,” she said. “After doing a little research, I saw it was simple to enter, so I submitted Billy’s name. At first, I didn’t make it a big deal—I wasn’t sure how many kids were competing and didn’t want to get his hopes up—but he started doing really well right away.”
What makes Billy’s story even more remarkable is the resilience he’s shown in the face of personal loss. Jennifer noted, “Losing his little sister could have broken him, but instead, he turned that pain into motivation to grow, work harder, and be better every day. I believe he’s destined to do extraordinary things, and I want to show him that there’s an army behind him cheering him on.”
Now, the Pahrump community has a chance to support Billy by casting their vote daily until early October. Each vote is free, and every single one helps Billy advance closer to the finals, showcasing not only his athletic ability but also the determination and spirit that have defined him both on and off the field.
For those looking to back Billy Sparks, one vote per day can make a difference in this national competition, proving that small actions from a local community can have a big impact on a young athlete’s dreams.
You can vote here, daily. https://athleteoftheyear.org/2025/billy-82e2
