Mia Nicole Clavelli's rich American-Italian heritage and her close connection to her Italian roots have significantly shaped her life and experiences. Now she finds herself in Rome, embracing the true meaning of embracing her Italian roots, and living out a dream her Grandfather had for her.

Born into a family with a deep Italian heritage, she enjoyed a unique upbringing that integrated her Italian and American background.

Mia’s mother comes from an Ecuadorian background, while Mia's father’s side is where her Italian heritage comes from. Her father’s family hails from Bitetto, a small town in Bari, Italy. The significance of her Italian heritage became evident from a young age, as her father insisted on speaking only Italian to her and her brother, creating a multilingual environment at home. He was so strict about making sure his children could speak multiple languages, and as a result, Mia had the unique experience of learning Italian and Spanish before English, which further strengthened her connection to her ancestry on both sides of the family.

Her Italian heritage however, really stuck with her as a child. Her grandparents, or Nonna and Nonno as she affectionately calls them, played a pivotal role in her upbringing. Mia's Nonna often prepared delicious homemade traditional Italian dishes, from fresh pasta to pizza and, of course, olives – Mia's favorite. These family gatherings played a huge role in Mia's upbringing and gave her a great sense of belonging to her Italian heritage.

Her Nonno was equally instrumental in nurturing Mia's connection to her Italian heritage. He ensured that the family participated in Italian events in Chicago, with Casa Italia being a central gathering place for the Italian community. These events included cookouts and various cultural celebrations that brought a slice of Italy to the United States.

Mia’s Nonno even encouraged her to participate in an Italian pageant in Chicago, where Mia deepened her understanding of Italian culture and traditions. It was these experiences and her family's unwavering commitment to their heritage that kindled Mia's passion for preserving her Italian roots.

Mia's connection to Italy extended beyond her family's kitchen and local Italian events. Her family made frequent trips to Italy during her youth, visiting relatives, celebrating holidays, and strengthening their bond with their ancestral homeland. These visits between 2000 and 2010 allowed Mia to experience and appreciate the true Italian way of life.

Her family's roots in America can be traced back to her Nonno, Francesco Clavelli, who initially settled in Canada before making his way to Chicago. He returned to Italy to raise Mia's father and his siblings, marking the beginning of their family's American-Italian journey. Mia's family is a large and well-known one in Bitetto, Bari, particularly due to the fame of her great-grandfather, Vito Clavelli, who lived to be 107 years old and garnered recognition in the local newspaper.

While most of her relatives reside in Italy, Mia also has cousins, and other family residing in Rome, specifically in Ostia.

Beyond all of this, what really gave Mia a huge connection to Italy was her love for soccer, a sport that Mia’s Nonno held dear. At the local Chicago events, Mia had the chance to be part of Italian soccer tournaments. This is where she really found a connection unlike any other and realized that a life surrounding soccer was something she really wanted to pursue.

She began playing at the tender age of four and continued through high school, where her talent and passion for the game earned her a spot on the varsity team in her freshman year. During all her youth games, and especially in High School, Mia’s Nonno proudly supported her at her soccer games, providing coaching advice from the sidelines in Italian, which always pushed her further.

Her high school coach recognized her potential and encouraged her to pursue soccer at the collegiate level. Mia embarked on the next step of her soccer journey, starting with two years at the College of DuPage, followed by a transfer to Edward Waters University in Jacksonville, Florida. Afterward, she found her way to Calumet College in Whiting, Indiana, where she played soccer for two years. Her dedication and skill also led her to the Edgewater Castle Semi-Pro Football Club, representing Chicago.

While Mia's playing journey was significant, it was her role as an assistant women's soccer coach at the College of DuPage that provided her with valuable insights and experiences. This coaching position equipped her with a deep understanding of the sport and the coaching profession, something she has brought with her to Italy. It's these experiences and relationships that have given her great respect for her coaches, both past and present.

After her college experiences, Mia knew that her journey through soccer was not finished yet, and was determined to take a further step in this career. With different options to choose from, Mia felt that it was time to experience Italy on a full-time basis, and made the decision to move to Rome, to focus on the study of Sports, while continuing to push her soccer career forward, to the highest level possible.

Currently, Mia is pursuing a Master's Degree in Sports Management at Rome City Institute, a significant step in her journey. At Rome City Institute, she is able to meet and learn from top professionals of the sports world, and practice with the Rome City Soccer Academy, while also getting to compete in the high levels of Italian Women’s soccer. Quite recently, Mia has officially signed with the Monterotondo club to compete in Serie D. Mia arrived in Rome during this past August, and has already settled to life nicely, and is now working with her new club to have a great season, and push for a coveted promotion into the Serie C league.

Mia Nicole Clavelli's journey to Rome is a beautiful representation of her American-Italian heritage, which has been passed down through generations and has shaped her identity and experiences. Mia's journey in soccer and sports management, both in the United States and now in Italy, reflects her commitment to carrying her American-Italian legacy forward while embracing the opportunities of the modern world. Like so many American-Italians, Mia is able to take advantage of the hard-work and difficult travels of her ancestors, such as Vito and Francesco Clavelli, to experience life in the country where it all started. Mia is now ready to write her own story, and her experience in Italy has just begun.