Fra Noi Embrace Your Inner Italian
The Des Plaines Theatre was once again transformed into fashion week in New York for the Columbus Day Queen contest, hosted on Aug. 19 by the Joint Civic Committee of Italian Americans. Stadium-style seats were replaced with an expansive stage and runway flanked by chairs filled with audience members.
Ava Amelio emerged from the competition with this year’s crown.
A former National Honor Society member, Amelio is a student at the George Washington University in Washington, D.C., where she is studying international business and political communication.
A proud member of Alpha Phi, she is passionate about empowering women. As a softball instructor for the last three years, Amelio serves as a coach and mentor to the girls on her teams, teaching them the sport and helping them develop self-esteem.
Being of Italian descent is an important part of Amelio’s life. To her, it’s about love, hard work, perseverance, honoring her family’s journey and taking pride in her heritage.
Amelio is honored to serve as the 2025 Columbus Day Queen and to uphold the legacy of resilience, independence and grace established by the women who wore the crown before her. She wants to use her platform as Columbus Day Queen to inspire younger generations to embrace their heritage and unlock their confidence.
As the newly crowned queen, Amelio will attend the Columbus Day Parade and a series of community events throughout her year-long reign. Serving as her court are runner-up Rianna Capizzano and fellow contestants Elizabeth Andriano, Loradana Imrisek, Marielle Vestuto-Langford, Damiana Mills, Allison Tamas and Olivia Vie.
