The Pre-Teen Tennessee Scholarship and Recognition Program was held July 25-27, at the Crown Plaza Hotel in Knoxville.  Sixty of Tennessee’s best and brightest top female students, ages 7 to 12 years of age, competed for more than $5,000 in educational bonds, prizes and awards.  

Pre-Teen Tennessee is a by-invitation only Academic and Scholarship event involving young ladies 7 to 12 years of age.   Participants competed in seven evaluation categories:  Academic Achievement, Volunteer Service to Community, School Honors and Activities, Development of Personal Skills and Abilities, Knowledge Ability Assessment, Communicative Ability, and On-Stage Acknowledgment of Accomplishments.

Emma Grace Thompson, daughter of Steve and Sharron Thompson of Coker Creek, competed as a finalist in the Pre-Teen Tennessee Program and was named the Senior Division Title Winner.  As the Titleholder Emma Grace received a $1,000 educational bond , monogrammed banner, Pre-Teen America medallion and trophy  Emma Grace will now have the opportunity to represent the State of Tennessee at the 2009 Pre-Teen America National Competition, to be held in July, 2009 in Baton Rouge, La.

Throughout the weekend, the young ladies participated in optional speech and talent competitions.  The participants performed in a production number titled “A Tribute to the 50’s.”  Emma Grace was chosen by the young ladies participating in the program as the winner of the coveted “Spirit of Pre-Teen” award winner.  

As the Pre-Teen Tennessee titleholder, one of Emma Grace’s roles for the next year is to be a role model for girls in other state programs.  She will travel to other states to participate in their weekend program events.  She serves as an ambassador in her school and community of  hard-working, generous, and ambitious young ladies. Emma Grace will be challenged to show young ladies around the United States that they can make a difference in the world even at such a young age.