SENECA — Nicole Hinson, daughter of Ralph and Kathy Bennett of Seneca, has been crowned Mrs. North Carolina United States 2008. She received her crown in Myers Auditorium on the campus of Gaston College earlier this month.

Hinson is wife to Scott Hinson. The couple has one son and currently resides in Wilmington, NC.

The pageant competition consisted of 13 women representing various cities and counties across North Carolina. The event consisted of private interviews, physical fitness competition and evening gown competition where the ladies were escorted by their husbands. Each delegate selects a community service issue that they are not only passionate about but want to use to make a difference during their reign.

Hinson obtained her undergraduate and graduate degrees from the University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill. She has devoted her education, vocation and community involvement to promoting a positive body image and preventing eating disorders. She is the National Eating Disorder Awareness Week Coordinator, which through promotional events, encourages individuals to "Be Comfortable in Your Genes."

“No one should measure their value by the size of their jeans, but rather by their skills, talents and unique contributions to this world. A woman’s true beauty lies in her intelligence, personality, charisma and humility,” Hinson said.

Hinson will travel to Las Vegas July 20-25 to compete with 53 other women for the title of Mrs. United States.

For more information about the pageant or to follow Nicole’s travels, visit the official website at www.mrsncunitedstates.com . To book Hinson for speaking engagements, email Valarie Jackson at vjacksondirects@yahoo.com.