NORTH CAROLINA -- Miss Metrolina Laura Matrazzo is now Miss North Carolina 2018.

• Matrazzo is a Chapel Hill native and Clemson Business grad
• She'll receive $25,000 in scholarship funding
• She'll compete in the Miss America pageant in September

The Chapel Hill native and Clemson Business grad edged other participants from across the state during Saturday night's competition.

Matrazzo now receives $25,000 in scholarship funding and says she's very excited to continue the tradition of the largest scholarship-providing organization for women.

"The doors that open because of the organization, and the passion that I have to grow the program, is something that I'm excited to just actually live out," said Matrazzo.

Even though Saturday night's festivities included a swimsuit portion, Matrazzo commended the Miss America organization for getting rid of, what she calls, an outdated practice.

She'll go on to compete in the Miss America pageant in September.