Still dreaming of becoming Miss America, Erin Bentley plans to enter next year's Miss Kentucky pageant.

Bentley, a resident of Russell, Ky., and formerly of Deering and Ironton, was a contestant in the annual Miss Kentucky pageant on June 12 to 14 in Lexington as Miss Ashland. Bentley was fourth runner up in the contest.

Even though she did not win the title, she continues to strive for her goal of one day becoming the next Miss America.

Although she did not win the title, she said she enjoyed the competition.

"It was a wonderful experience and offered a lot of networking for me," she said.

Overall, Erin said the pageant was a growing experience.

"The week before the pageant really tests your strength, and rehearsal nine hours a day requires a lot of endurance."

Erin is the daughter of Dr. Dan and Cheri Bentley who own Bentley Pharmacy in Ironton.

Bentley said that she is already working on next

year's competition and that she is keeping her platform "Arts @ Work" for next year's pageant as well.

She is participating in the Kentucky Reading Project in Lexington, Ky., and she is also going to be a volunteer at

Ashland's Summer Motion which is coming up in the next two weeks.