Lillee Elkins

Miss Tennessee Teen Volunteer 2027

Lillee Elkins proudly serves as Miss Tennessee Teen Volunteer, where she is dedicated to promoting scholarship, leadership, volunteerism, and the life-changing impact of the arts throughout the state of Tennessee. Upon earning the title, she was awarded a $2,000 educational scholarship from the Miss Tennessee Volunteer Organization to support her future college education.

A passionate performer and arts advocate, Lillee plans to pursue a Bachelor of Fine Arts in Musical Theatre. Whether she's on stage, in the classroom, or serving her community, she believes the performing arts have the power to build confidence, inspire creativity, and transform lives.

As Miss Tennessee Teen Volunteer, Lillee uses her title as a microphone to amplify the importance of arts education through her Community Service Initiative, Striking a Chord for Arts Education. Through performances, community partnerships, fundraising, and advocacy, she works to ensure that every child has access to artistic opportunities that foster creativity, self-expression, and a sense of belonging. Her efforts have included raising thousands of dollars for music and theatre education, helping fund a new piano lab, writing a fully funded grant for music education, and serving as a counselor for the Holston Summer Music Camp, which impacts more than 100 elementary students each summer.

Service is at the heart of Lillee's mission. She proudly serves as a Salvation Army Ambassador and a member of the St. Jude Leadership Society, using her voice to encourage others to invest in causes greater than themselves. Through volunteerism, fundraising, and community engagement, she strives to lead by example and inspire others to make a meaningful difference.

Ava Hunter

Miss Iris Teen Tennessee 2027

Ava Hunter was crowned Miss Iris Tennessee Teen Volunteer at the state competition July 18th, 2026 while representing the Nashville area as Miss Davidson County Iris Teen. Miss Hunter’s personal platform is “Don’t You Forget About Me,” where she advocates for Alzheimer’s patients and caregivers at the local, state, and national levels. Locally, she volunteers with an organization called Flower The People, which provides flowers to patients in memory care units. At the state level, she has worked with the Tennessee State Legislature to pass bills that help caregivers. Additionally, she raises money for the Nashville Walk to End Alzheimer’s, and she is currently a Champion Level Fundraiser. At the national level, she is an Alzheimer’s Impact Movement Ambassador, where she reaches out to our Tennessee Senators and Representatives, asking them to support Alzheimer’s legislation. 
 
Hunter is a 17-year-old honors student at Brentwood Academy in Brentwood, Tennessee, who will begin her senior year in the fall. She plans to study Broadcast Journalism and Political Science in College. Ava is a founding member of the BA Newsflash, a BA Student Ambassador, a member of the Big Sisters Organization, and a member of the Prom Committee. Additionally, she is a member of the Track Team, and participates in the School Musicals. She also looks forward to being inducted into the National Honor Society this Fall. Ava enjoys going on walks, eating chicken quesadillas, and watching scary movies with her best friends.