Kailey Grill of Mars won Miss Pennsylvania Teen USA on Sunday night.

MARS — It was Kailey Grill's year to shine as she was crowned Miss Pennsylvania Teen USA Sunday night at the Hyatt Regency at the Pittsburgh International Airport.

For Kailey, it was redemption after being first runner-up at last year's pageant.

“This year I just felt really calm and ready for whatever was meant to happen,” she said. “I knew I was ready. I just felt calm and knew that everything happens for a reason.”

Kailey, a senior at Mars High School, will move on to the national competition next summer and spend the next year making appearances with her new title and working with various nonprofits and community groups.

Kailey has competed in pageants since she was about 13 years old, she said. She heard about the Miss Teen USA pageants and thought they'd be a great fit for her interest in public speaking.

When Kailey first asked if she could start competing in pageants, her mother rejected the idea.

“I said absolutely not,” Heather Grill said. “You don't need to do pageants.”

So Kailey came back to her parents with a power point presentation on the benefits of competing and what it would do for her future. That convinced her mom to let her try it.

Kailey won the preliminary competition, moved on to state and won states in her first go at pageants, her mother said.

“I remember thinking to myself, I have a feeling this is going to be a thing going forward,” Heather Grill said.

The Miss Pennsylvania Teen USA weekend began Friday with the personal interview. On Saturday, the preliminary competitions in evening wear and active wear were held. On Sunday, the top 15 girls are announced based on their performances the previous two days. From there it is narrowed down to the top five contestants.

Heather Grill said she was nervous watching her daughter compete, although she knew Kailey's hard work would pay off.

“It was amazing to watch,” she said. “She had worked hard all year. As a mom you get nervous. You want the best for your daughter … But she's always very calm, cool and collected.”

The top five are asked an on-stage question. Kailey's question was about how she would balance her time if she won the title with her other extra-curricular activities. It was an easy answer for the 18-year-old who has plenty of experience with time management.

In addition to pageants, Kailey is in the National Honor Society, the REACH club and class council and plays varsity lacrosse.

“For me and for any title holder, it's very important to be multifaceted,” Kailey said. “What I admire about the Miss Universe organization is it's not just about a pretty face. It's about a girl that can go in the community and make a difference.”

Her goal is to study communications and minor in political science in college with her dream job being the White House press secretary, Kailey said.

She is the daughter of Matt and Heather Grill.