The Miss Moore County Scholarship Association celebrated its 25th year Saturday with the crowning of Summer Dare Hennings as Miss Moore County 2012.

“I was beyond shocked and surprised,” says Hennings, who only signed up for the pageant a short time ago.

Her primary reason for participating was for the experience.

“Anytime you can get on stage to improve your performing skills, and have the chance to hone your interview skills, it’s a plus,” she says.

Hennings had to quickly put Saturday night’s excitement behind her in order to spend Sunday studying for midterm exams.

“I had two exams Monday morning,” she says.

Hennings will be meeting with the Miss Moore County Scholarship Association’s executive committee next week to find out just what her responsibilities for the next year entail.

“I’ll need a lot of help to prepare for the Miss North Carolina Pageant,” she says. “I’m learning as I go.”

Hennings will receive a $1,200 scholarship for her use at UNC-Chapel Hill, where she is a sophomore, as well as a $600 in-kind ­scholarship from Sandhills Community College.

Hennings, the 19-year-old daughter of Colton and Rose Cooper, of Whispering Pines, also received the talent award as well as the ticket sales award.

During the talent competition, she performed a ­classical vocal rendition of “The Little Horses.”

“That was a song I sang in a voice class I took last year,” she says. “I just think it’s a beautiful song.”

Her community service platform is “Students Helping Honduras.”

Her Carolina Princess is Kendall Hilliard.

Jasmine Kaylin Henderson, a Pinecrest High School senior, was chosen as first ­runner-up in the Miss division. Henderson, the daughter of Robert and Johnna McDaniel, of Aberdeen, received both the scholarship and community ­service awards.

Blaine Hooper was chosen as second ­runner-up. Nineteen-year-old Hooper, who attends Sandhills Community College, was named Miss Congeniality by the other contestants. She is the daughter of Harper and Stephanie Wilmoth, of Southern Pines.

Other contestants in the Miss division were Amanda Morcom, daughter of Wade and Cecilia Morcom, and Karis Edwards, of Seven Lakes.

Outstanding Teen

Sixteen-year-old Alessandra Gironda is a junior at Pinecrest High School, and in addition to the Miss Moore County Outstanding Teen crown, also won the talent award with a lyrical/jazz dance to “My Strongest Suit.”

Gironda is the daughter of Vito and Jan Gironda, of Southern Pines.

She will receive a $600 in-kind scholarship from Sandhills Community College as well as other gifts. Her Carolina Princess will be Alexa Castro Giovanni.

Amy Felix, 14-year-old daughter of Toni and Brad Felix, of Seven Lakes, was named first runner-up, in the Teen category.

Elizabeth O’Brien, 13-year-old daughter of Shelby and Matt O’Brien, was chosen as second runner-up. O’Brien also won the community ­service award for her ­platform “Footlockers for Soldiers.”

Fourteen-year-old Morgan Hendrix won the scholar award in the Teen division. She is the 14-year-old daughter of Peggy and David Hendrix, of Pinehurst.

In celebration of the 25th year of the pageant, several former Miss Moore County winners paid a visit to the stage: Shari Riddle Burgess, who was the first Miss Moore County in 1988; Sarah Thomas Jones, 1994; Jacqueline Smith Capasso, 2003; Lisa Mace, 2005; and Cassie Davis Harman, 2006.

Also attending was the reigning Miss North Carolina, Hailey Best, who will represent the state at the Miss America Pageant in January.

Daniel Armstrong served as emcee for the pageant.

Hennings and Gironda will represent Moore County at the state pageant in June.

Contact Faye Dasen at fdasen@thepilot.com.