Some people would call Erin Danne' Bentley a dreamer.

She would just smile and agree because she knows that her dream of one day being Miss America is close to becoming a reality.

"I would really encourage any young girls who have the dream of becoming Miss America to pursue it," she said. "It is worth every minute even if you do not make it to the top. It is possible if you believe, but you have to work everyday to reach your dreams and goals."

Bentley will compete against 33 other girls from across the state in the Miss Kentucky competition in Lexington June 12 through 14. The winner will represent the state in September's Miss America pageant in Atlantic City, N.J.

The 22-year-old, a 1999 graduate of Ironton High School, is the daughter of Dr. Dan and Cheri Bentley of Russell, Ky., the owners of Bentley Pharmacy in Ironton.

Erin spent much of her youth growing up in Deering and Ironton before moving to Russell seven years ago.

"I consider myself from the Tri-State area," she said. "The community around here has shaped my life, but my heart is really in Kentucky."

But, the river has not really stopped the community from getting behind her dream, she said.

"I have had great support from this side," she said. "They have definitely supported me even though I represent Ashland."

Bentley is a 2003 graduate from the University of Kentucky with a degree in English and secondary education. She is currently working on a master's degree at UK.

After attending a Miss America pageant a few years ago, Bentley said she was inspired to try to achieve her goal.

"I admire Heather French (Former Miss Kentucky and Miss America) so much. She is a great role model," Bentley said. "By working for good causes and having a veterans' bill named after her she has gone beyond the crown and the stage. She used the power of the crown to make a difference in people's every day lives. Miss America is a vehicle to make dreams possible."

Dancing since the age of three and a charter member of the Ashland Youth Ballet, pageants are nothing new to Bentley. She was named Miss National Preteen Ohio in 1995. In November, she won Miss Ashland.

It was a bit of a shock because she nearly pulled out of the competition all together, she said.

"I was very surprised I won," she said. "My grandmother, who meant a lot to me, died two or three weeks before and I was not able to focus. I could have given up and said this is too much, but I didn't."

All contestants in the Miss Kentucky competition must have a platform that focuses on something they believe in and also compete in a talent presentation.

Erin will perform a ballet to a jazz number written by Cole Porter and present her platform of "Arts @ Work" that promotes the fine arts in the Kentucky school system.

"I think the Arts are very valuable because they transcend culture and speak to all ages," she said. "I think everyone has a talent that they can realize and give something back with. I want that celebration and joy to be passed around."

Bentley said she is confident in her chances because of the hard-work she has put in.

Win or lose, she said it will be an honor just to have the opportunity to compete.

"Each girl has something special to offer," she said. "All of those girls deserve to be Miss Kentucky. The girl who wins is just lucky on that particular day."

Dan Bentley said he is extremely proud of both his daughters. Erin's sister, Mica, is a nursing student at Marshall University.

"Both girls are proud to be from this area and are trying to reach their full potential. It takes more than just parents and God. It takes the full community," he said. "That is what America is all about."