Jun 23, 2014 07:54 AM EDT By Staff Reporter, UniversityHerald Reporter

Beth Stovall was crowned Miss North Carolina Saturday at the Raleigh Memorial Auditorium.

"It's slowly sinking in. The longer I go with this crown sitting on my head this morning, the more it sinks in. I'm so excited," said Stovall, Miami Herald reports.

The University of North Carolina Wilmington senior aspires to be the first Miss America from North Carolina in more than 50 years. Maria Fletcher of Asheville won the Pageant in 1962.

Stovall is excited to take part in the country's top beauty pageant in September.

"I've got to start training on getting ready for swimsuit, maintaining a healthy physique and just a healthy lifestyle, working on my interview skills, modeling, picking out wardrobe, all kinds of things," Stovall said.

After finishing last year's pageant in the top 10, Stovall was determined to win this year. Stovall's inspiration came from watching Hailey Best conquer the state crown in 2011.

This year, Miss Greater Sampson County won two preliminary completions in lifestyle and fitness, and talent by singing from Charles Gounod's opera "Romeo and Juliet."

Stovall's platform is called "inspiration art." The music major said that singing and arts have always been important to her.

"I developed it myself," Stovall said. "It is all about inspiring children to get interested and active and involved in the arts."

Miss Cabarrus County McKenzie Faggart was the runner-up, Miss Johnston County Kensley Leonard came in third, Miss Central Carolina Victoria Huggins finished fourth and Miss Thomasville Kacy Lee was named fifth.

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