Chattanooga Valley Middle School student places 4th in national essay writing contest

Chattanooga Valley Middle School seventh-grader Kaylee Barrett stands with a plaque she received for winning the Georgia VFW Patriot's Pen youth essay contest for those in grades 6-8.
Chattanooga Valley Middle School seventh-grader Kaylee Barrett stands with a plaque she received for winning the Georgia VFW Patriot's Pen youth essay contest for those in grades 6-8.

When Kaylee Barrett entered the VFW Patriot's Pen essay contest last year, she didn't expect to win, especially not for the whole of Walker County, qualifying her for the state contest. And she definitely didn't expect to win the state contest and place fourth across the nation.

The Chattanooga Valley Middle School seventh-grader won more than $3,700 between the county, state and national contests. She said she was inspired to enter by her older brother Kendall, who took 21st in the nation several years ago.

Kaylee has loved writing for as long as she can remember, and said she thought the contest would be a good way to express herself on its prescribed subject: "The America I Believe In."

"I tried to think of why I believe in America," Kaylee said. "I thought, the people of America make it great, so I should write about the people."

One of her biggest inspirations was U.S. Olympic pole vaulter and Army veteran Sam Kendrick, who, during the 2016 Rio Olympic Games, stopped his run to salute the flag as the U.S. national anthem played in the stadium.

"It showed that he cared about his country and he was loyal to it," Kaylee said.

She also talked about the armed forces in her essay, and described them as essential to making sure America remains free.

After winning the state contest and nearly winning at the national level, Kaylee said she had to thank her parents and VFW Post 3679 in Rossville for encouraging her through the essay writing process.

As for the money, Kaylee's father, a teacher at CVMS, said he wants her to put it aside for a car for Kaylee when she's older. However, she is hoping to put most of it toward her college education, but said she wants to give some to her family as well.

"I just think it's the right thing to do," Kaylee said.

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