Apex High School graduate Chelsea Ingram recently won the crown of Miss Capital City. Ericka Dunlap, Miss America 2004, crowned Ingram in the new local preliminary to the Miss North Carolina Scholarship Pageant.

Ingram won the interview, evening gown, and on stage question awards. She sang “Carmen” from the opera Habanera in the talent portion of the event.

Ingram will represent North Carolina’s Capital City this June in the Miss North Carolina Pageant.

“It was such an honor to be crowned by former Miss America Ericka Dunlap”, Ingram said. “I am so honored to be representing the area where I was born, raised and educated.”

Success is nothing new to Ingram, who is currently a junior at North Carolina State University majoring in meteorology.

She took home the coveted Miss America’s Outstanding Community Service Award in 2009, and Children’s Miracle Maker Awards in the 2007 and 2009 pageants along with a top ten placement in 2009.

“My winnings last year paid for my tuition this year at NC State,” said Ingram. “I love performing, serving my community, and earning scholarship money for my education and that encompasses the mission statement of the Miss America System.

“A lot of people don’t realize it, but there are four points on the Miss America crowns and each has a meaning: scholarship, service, success and style. I have always set my goals high and participating in this program has kept me on track with my life goals. I am truly a fortunate young woman.”

Ingram is very involved with her platform, Heart Disease Awareness, and also supports Miss America’s national platform, Children’s Miracle Network.

Chelsea is the daughter of Mr. and Mrs. Randy Ingram of Cary.

To learn more about Ingram and the Miss Capital City Pageant or to secure her for an appearance visit http://capitalcitypageant.webs.com/