Miss Greater Sandhills Lisa Mace, daughter of Kenny and Gayle Mace, of Seven Lakes, was chosen as fourth runner-up in the Miss North Carolina Pageant held Saturday night at Raleigh's Meymandi Concert Hall.

Miss Raleigh Katherine Elizabeth Southard took the top spot and will compete in the Miss America Pageant next January in Las Vegas. Miss Fayetteville, Adrienne Core, was chosen as first runner-up; Miss Western Carolina, Jamee Hunt, as second runner-up; and Miss Greater Johnston County, Ashley Beasley, as third runner-up.

Mace, an East Carolina University graduate was Thursday's preliminary talent winner. She performed a rhythmic swing tap routine to "It Don't Mean a Thing." Dance is not only her talent, but it's her platform as well; Mace developed a program called "Take the Lead" which partners dance with education.

Mace received a $1,500 scholarship and also won an award for acquiring support for the most holes at the annual golf tournament fundraiser.

At 24, Mace will not be eligible to compete next year.

This was Mace's third appearance in the Miss N.C. competition, which is a part of the Miss America organization. She attended as Miss Moore County in 2005, and as Miss Goldsboro in 2008. Last year, she placed among the top 10 contestants.

Miss Moore County Carolyn Mullen also participated in the pageant. Mullen is a rising junior at UNC Chapel Hill who is in the process of completing an internship with the U.S. State Department.

Katherine Puryear, Miss Thomasville's Outstanding Teen, was crowned Miss North Carolina's Outstanding Teen Friday night. She will compete in the Miss America's Outstanding Teen Pageant in August.

Kelcie Frye represented this area as Miss Greater Sandhills Outstanding Teen and Leah King as Miss Moore County Outstanding Teen. Both are rising seniors at Pinecrest High School.

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