Valley Oaks Charter School honors 2024 Salutatorian Kyler Sparling

Todd Thorpe.

Kyler Sparling.

"I love deadlines. I love the whooshing noise they make as they go by." – Douglas Adams.

This was Kyler Sparling's answer when asked for his favorite quote, one that touches on one the most important lessons Kyler has learned in high school ... to not waste time worrying about the little things.

"Progress is doing better than you were doing, not better than others are doing," said Kyler.

Kyler has attended Valley Oaks Charter School for 7 years. A young man who has developed his mind, body, and soul, Kyler loves science, math, reading and writing; has earned a first-degree black belt in Tae Kwon Do; and runs marathons to raise money for the Team World Vision charity. In high school, Kyler often set the bar in academic classes and was awarded top students in all of his science and math courses. Kyler's best memory in high school is his chemistry labs, and his peers will remember him as being very quiet and always running into class late holding a cup of coffee.

Kyler also demonstrated a talent for the field of engineering. Within the last year, Kyler scored a 96 on the Armed Service Vocational Aptitude Battery (ASVAB) test which shows his strong aptitudes in verbal, math, science/technical and spatial. Nominated by our principal for the National Test Pilot School Summer Test Flight Academy in Mojave, California, Kyler completed the program and it opened his eyes to the multitude of opportunities in the aerospace field.

While Kyler is a strong, intelligent student, what sets Kyler apart from others is his heart to serve. He applies his work ethic to his home life and community. Kyler has been a member of the high school Interact Club, a service club sponsored by the Rotary Club of Tehachapi, where he helped spearhead volunteer service projects such as clean-up events, senior tech class and community holiday events. When he attended the Kern Youth Empowerment Summit (KernYes!), Kyler was awarded the KernYes! Service Above Self award. He also entered and won first place in the Rotary Club of Tehachapi Four-Way Test essay contest.

Kyler is the senior representative for the Associated Student Body (Student Council) and helps the ASB plan social activities and build a positive school culture. Outside of school, Kyler volunteers for his church, setting aside multiple Saturday mornings for "Serve Saturdays" where volunteers serve senior citizens. Kyler is also an ardent donor of blood for the community blood bank and this year raised $3,150 toward clean water for 63 kids through Team World Vision by completing his second Los Angeles Marathon.

After high school, Kyler plans to attend Embry-Riddle Aeronautical University in Prescott, Arizona, starting in the Fall 2024 semester. He is considering a major in Aerospace Engineering or Mechanical Engineering. He hopes to work at an aerospace company such as Boeing, SpaceX, or Northrop Grumman, joining efforts to develop hypersonic aircraft or engineering research.

Kyler credits his parents, the Jadric family and his teachers for the lessons they have taught him, holding him accountable for his actions and pushing him to become a better person than he was yesterday.