MARION, Ill. (AP)- Megan Ervin of Quincy has been crowned Miss Illinois.

The 22-year-old Ervin’s name was called at the Miss Illinois Pageant in Marion on Saturday night.

Ervin, who graduated in May from Western Illinois University, competed with 24 other contestants around the state. She now advances to the Miss America pageant to be held in Las Vegas in January.

Ervin was first runner-up in last year’s Miss Illinois Pageant. She qualified to compete again this year by winning the Miss Quincy Scholarship Pageant in March.

(© Copyright 2012 The Associated Press. All Rights Reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten or redistributed.)