A former Miss Moore County, Lisa Mace, competing as Miss Goldsboro, was selected by the judges as one of the top 10 contestants at the Miss North Carolina Pageant Saturday night at Raleigh Memorial Auditor-ium.

As a semi-finalist, she took home an $800 scholarship.

Mace, the daughter of Gayle and Kenneth Mace, performed a high-energy tap number to "It Don't Mean a Thing."

Amanda Watson, Miss Garner, was named Miss North Carolina 2008, and will represent the state in the Miss America Pageant in Las Vegas.

Although Laura Puleo, Miss Moore County, was not chosen as one of the top 10, she did receive some honors when awards were handed out at the end of the evening. Puleo, who performed en pointe to the theme from "The Pirates of the Caribbean," was given one of five most talented nonfinalist scholarships, which are worth $250. She also received a $300 scholarship for the non-finalist interview award.

Former Miss Moore County Emmy McLean competed in the preliminary events, representing the Piedmont Triad.

Three of the four young women with local connections participating in the Miss N.C. Outstanding Teen Pageant held Friday night made the top 10.

Kensley Leonard, of Southern Pines, representing Thomasville; Blair Puleo, of Pinehurst, representing Forsyth County; and Charity Haskins, of Aberdeen, representing Fayetteville, competed against seven other girls for a shot at the title.

Leonard and Haskins performed vocal numbers during the talent competition, and Puleo performed en pointe to "Swan Lake."

Although Rachel Stewart, who represented Moore County, wasn't chosen to compete in the top 10, it was announced at Saturday night's Miss Moore County Pageant that she was voted People's Choice in the talent competition for Thursday night's round.

Haskins was named second runner-up for both the Scholar and Community Service awards.

Mya Hipps, Miss Gastonia's Outstanding Teen, was selected as the 2008 Miss N.C. Outstanding Teen.

Contact Faye Dasen at fdasen@thepilot.com or 693-2475.