By: Isabelle Puente

Ava Hunter has been crowned the new Miss Iris Tennessee Teen Volunteer. The finals took place Saturday, July 18 at the Carl Perkins Civic Center.

“I blacked out like all the noise went quiet, it was such an incredible experience, I just remember shaking,” said Hunter at Home2 Suites by Hilton – Jackson. “And walking up to receive my crown, I was like in shock that it was me and it truly was one of the best nights of my life.”

Hunter, a Franklin native, started pageantry when she was just seven years old. Through her experience she’s created two platforms, ‘Pretty is as Pretty does’ and ‘Don’t you forget about me’.

Her platforms focus on getting her community involved in volunteer efforts and advocating for Alzheimer’s patients and caregivers.

Hunter explained in an interview that she has been able to work with a local Tennessee organization called ‘Flower the People’ where she is able to visit local nursing homes and pass out flower bouquets to residents.

Through her platform, Hunter has also been able to speak with U.S. Senators Marsha Blackburn (R-TN) and Bill Hagerty (R-TN) about passing new legislation that would help Alzheimer’s patients and their caregivers.

Hunter hopes to continue and grow her advocacy through her Miss Iris Tennessee Teen crown.

She explained that through her crown she wants to encourage and empower young girls across Tennessee to use their voices and speak up about what truly matters to them.

(PHOTO: Ava Hunter, Miss Iris Tennessee Teen Volunteer)