A Lancaster woman has been named Miss Elkdom of Pennsylvania and will compete in a national round of judging in early August.
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At the 86th annual Pennsylvania Elks State Association Convention in May, Phylicia Miles competed against two other young women, posing in a bathing suit and evening gown and singing.
For the talent competition, the 2008 McCaskey High School graduate sang "Listen" by Beyonce, saying she selected the piece because it displayed her vocal range and described her outlook.
"It's basically telling people to listen," Miles said. "I used to be shy, but now I'm coming out of my shell."
Sponsored by Conestoga Elks Lodge 140 and Queen of Sheba Temple 137, Miles took home the official title of Miss Elkdom of Pennsylvania from the state Improved Benevolent and Protective Order of Elks of the World Beauty and Talent Department.
Miles, the 19-year-old daughter of Larry and Patricia Miles, of Lancaster, has been singing since she was 4 years old and displays her talents every chance she gets.
She competed in the McCaskey Idol contest during her sophomore and junior years of high school, finishing in the top five each time. She is also a member of the Young Adult Choir at Bright Side Baptist Church.
Miles' next stop is the national competition in Kansas City, Mo., where she will represent the Pennsylvania Elks State Association. She will compete against about 20 young women from other states and will sing "Listen" again.
Until nationals, Miles plans to keep rehearsing. She is staving off performance jitters by worrying about another issue — flying to Kansas City.
"I'm actually scared because I've never flown before," she said, laughing. "I'm just thinking about the plane right now."
Staff writer Katy Hopkins can be reached at khopkins@LNPnews.com or 481-6028.
