Local celebrity and Miss Teen Tennessee winner Leela Beaty has been selected as the grand marshal for the 2024 McMinnville Christmas Parade, which will be held on Dec. 7 beginning at 2 p.m.

The theme of this year’s Christmas Parade is “Tennessee Christmas,” which was selected following a vote conducted on Facebook. As of Monday, there were 107 entries for the parade.

“The grand marshal for the Christmas Parade is intended to be someone who emphasizes the county,” Rene Alverez with the Milner Recreation Center said. “I have seen Leela in the news recently and I heard the story of the challenges and struggles she has faced. However, throughout all her struggles she has continued to pursue her dream and was selected as Miss Teen Tennessee and will be competing in the Miss America Teen Pageant this year. I think her story is inspiring to girls and women in the community to pursue their dreams despite the challenges they face.”

In 2022 Beaty was involved in a car accident which caused her to completely lose the use of her left arm. Since the accident, Beaty has partnered with multiple organizations, including Best Buddies of Tennessee and Shriners Hospital, allowing her to share her story and inspire children with physical disabilities to chase their dreams.

This year Beaty won Miss Teen Tennessee and will be participating in this year’s Miss America Teen Pageant where she will share her story and compete against pageant winners from across the country.

“I am honored to be chosen as this year’s grand marshal for the Christmas Parade,” Beaty said. “I’m a born-and-raised Warren County girl, so seeing that my hard work and perseverance has been recognized is such a rewarding experience. I have an amazing wardrobe sponsor, Joann’s of Union City, which is sending me an amazing gown to wear. I am also working on my interview and talent for Miss America’s Teen.”