Elizabethton’s Kaylee Hollifield earned the second runner-up position in the American National Scholarship Pageant held recently in Nashville.

The daughter of Chris and Monica Hollifield, Kaylee won the People’s Choice Award and was chosen as the American National Scholarship Organization’s Ambassador 2014 for her dedication and community service to the Boys and Girls Club.

At the 1st Welcome Party featuring all the queens, her state director presented her Presidential Community Service Gold Medal from President Obama for her many hours of community service. She was the youngest contestant at the pageant to earn the honor.

The three-day competition, held at the Sheraton Music City, began Friday with the interview phase, where each contestant has a one-on-one sit down interview with each judge. That was followed Friday night with the talent competition.

Saturday featured the preliminary competition, including Personal Expression — runway modeling in a pair of decorated blue jeans of the contestants choice — formal wear and more onstage questions. In this competition is judged on interview skills caring 60 percent of the scoring, academics, community service, modeling, and beauty.

Sunday was the final competition and crowning. The finalists are named and each phase of competition again; then each contestant draws another question from a fish bowl.

But the week was more than competition: it started off with fun activities for all the state contestants, including photo shoots, several parties, a General Jackson Showboat Ride with lunch and an amazing band, and a Family Fun Night, which was one of Kaylee’s favorites.

She is a fifth-grade student at West Side Elementary, a member of First Baptist Church, a Cyclone Cheerleader and a member of the Watts Showcase Dance Team. Kaylee is also a Gage and IMTA model, and has recently been hired to work for Fashion Board out of Knoxville.

Kaylee will continue to represent the state of Tennessee this year and continue her work for her platform of helping the homeless and less fortunate. Kaylee can be followed throughout her year on Facebook at Kaylee Christina Hollifield Miss Tennessee Preteen National Sweetheart 2014.