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NAZARETH (AP) - Kendria Perry of Pittsburgh has been crowned the new Miss Pennsylvania.

Perry, 23, a graduate student at Carnegie Mellon University originally from North Carolina, was chosen from among 27 contestants at the Miss Pennsylvania Scholarship Pageant held Saturday night at Nazareth Area High School.

''It's surreal. I couldn't have dreamed it,'' said Perry, who entered the contest as Miss Armstrong County. ''I want to do my very best for the young ladies who believed in me.''

Among local competitors, Miss Central Pennsylvania Outstanding Teen, Erica Bristor, 16, placed as the second runner up in the Miss Pennsylvania Outstanding Teen competition. Julia Rae Schlucter, 16, of Malvern, was named Miss Pennsylvania Outstanding Teen.

Two former local misses placed in the top 10 in the Miss Pennsylvania competition, Rachel Henry, Miss Greater Juniata Valley 2007; and Shannon Doyle, Miss Central Pennsylvania 2005. None of this year's local crown winners placed in the top 10.

Perry, who played a classical piano piece during the talent competition, plans to champion Art Works, an arts education initiative, during her reign. She receives a $7,000 scholarship and a place in the Miss America pageant in January.

Last year's winner was Rachel Marie Brooks of Delaware County, who championed autism awareness.

Both Perry and Schlucter will go on to compete in the national Miss America and Miss America Outstanding Teen competitions.

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On the Net:

Miss Pennsylvania Scholarship Pageant: http://http//www.misspa.org

AP-ES-07-12-08 2355EDT