KYLEE HOLT stands at ease in front of Tullahoma Area Chamber of Commerce members attending one of the monthly coffee meetings. She speaks eloquently, introducing herself and giving updates on her work and future goals. After months of participating in these events, she is confident speaking professionally in public, a newly acquired skill for the 18-year-old Tullahoma High School graduate.
Holt participated in her high school’s work- based learning program during her senior year, which allowed students the opportunity to leave campus for a class period or two and earn class credits through hands-on work experience. Because of her interest in marketing, her teacher suggested the chamber of commerce as a place to discover the ins and outs of the business world. Through the chamber, she was able to practice multiple business and marketing skills.
“They told me when I got there, ‘You’re not going to do just one thing, you’re going to learn all kinds of different things, because that’s why you’re here,’” Holt said.
Holt worked alongside chamber members, learning things like public speaking, writing business emails, and speaking to adults as a business professional rather than a high school student.
“At first, I wasn’t a great public speaker, especially in front of people I didn’t know,” Holt said. “I was very shy and timid about it, but with their guidance, I started to open up.”
Holt met Hope Nunley, the executive director of the Tullahoma Area Chamber of Commerce, who she said was always kind and encouraging. During her first semester there, she was also mentored by. Tisha Fritz. Holt often worked at the front desk of the chamber office and attended various chamber events and meetings.
“The ‘40 Under 40’ event recognizes 40 individuals who are under 40 years old who make a big impact in our community,” Holt said. “It really opened my eyes to what all of these people are doing in our community, as well as all of the work the chamber puts into each of these types of events.”
Holt also assisted the chamber with the annual Wobble Gobble 5k, a run that goes through downtown Tullahoma and passes several historic locations. She helped get participants signed up and distributed T-shirts and numbers to runners. Helping with events gave Holt insight into the preparation required to host large community events, and she said it taught her the value of doing things correctly and on time. While she had always been a responsible student, practicing these things in a business setting was a valuable experience.
Holt tagged along with chamber members who went to other businesses to promote events or ask for sponsorships, which she said was initially intimidating.
“I had no idea how to just go up and talk to business owners in person. Watching how they did everything helped me develop those people skills and learn how to be professional,” Holt said.
Another skill Holt learned was editing photos, slideshows, and other graphics for social media. Holt said Kathryn Wiseman, marketing and membership director, taught her new ways to set up photos and presentations, and asked her to write content for their social media accounts.
“She would ask me what I thought would make their marketing efforts appeal more to a younger crowd,” said Holt. “That was so exciting to me that they were letting me voice my opinion. I truly felt like they loved me there and that I was important to them.”
Holt’s chamber experience prepared her well for college and for integrating into the business world. She said she would recommend the program to any student. The skills she learned there built upon the strengths she already possessed as a 4.0 GPA student, member of the National Honor Society, and a competitive high school athlete.
Holt is an avid softball player who has been playing the sport since she was 4 years old. She played for the Tullahoma Wildcats softball team all four years of high school, primarily as a catcher and outfielder.
During her junior year, their softball team won the district tournament and advanced to regionals. Then, in her senior year, she personally broke the school record for most runs scored in a season. Although they suffered a disappointing loss in the playoffs, the team still finished its season strong. Holt said her parents and coaches helped her anchor her identity and self-worth in who she was as a person, not just as a player, an important life lesson to carry forward into adulthood.
Now that she has graduated from Tullahoma High School, Holt is preparing to launch into her next venture — she has earned academic and athletic scholarships to play softball for the University of Virginia at Wise. After visiting and meeting the coach at the college, Karen Bitter, she knew she had found her home away from home. Holt plans to attend in the fall to play softball and study sports management with a minor in marketing. She has built a solid foundation for these goals through the chamber, her stellar academic career, and her time on the ball field. GN
