It was clear Allie Ammons had to refrain from jumping with excitement when her name was announced as winner of the 2012 Miss Labor Day Pageant and a $2,000 college scholarship Saturday night.

She was still in disbelief as she left the stage.

"I felt confident, but I wasn't sure if I was going to win," she said with a wide smile.

Timberly Wood was first runner-up and winner of a $500 scholarship. Maceon McCracken came in third with a $250 scholarship.

Finishing out the top five were Kayla Olsen and Leia Wood.

Altogether nine Pisgah High School girls competed for the crown also including Ashley Thompson, Kayla Tatham, Jordan Johnson and Madison Trantham, who walked away with the Miss Congeniality award.

Each girl was impressive in their professional attire, but they shone the rest of the night in their elegant evening gowns.

The girls were judged on their personal interviews before the pageant and then on their onstage interview and anumber of other criteria that were added at the end.

The final criteria for judging came down to one question for each of the top five contestants: If you could have lived as the late Princess Diana or Mother Teresa, which would you have preferred to be and why?

Leia Wood, who took home the award for best individual score and personal interview, was the only girl to choose Mother Teresa.

“I would prefer to be Mother Teresa because she lived a sacrificial life and had such a servant’s heart. Also, she impacted the mission field in such a great way and the mission field is such an important part in my life today,” she said without hesitation.

But Ammons’ answer about Princess Diana embodied exactly what Miss Labor Day should be all about.

“She was the people’s princess. Everyone could go to her and she was basically the people’s advocate. She was part of a lot of children hospital groups and she was someone that everyone could look up to,” she said.

Soon after, last year’s Miss Labor Day winner, Bianca Burnette, was onstage passing on the crown to Ammons, while her tearful family watched.

Fatima Ammons was practically speechless as she took photos of her daughter.

“She is always a winner. It’s such a blessing – she’s a blessing,” she said.

Ammons’ father, Boyd, was also beaming.

“I’m a proud papa,” he said. “No matter what she faces and what obstacles come her way she always bounces back and does her best.”

Although she said her biggest fear was falling on stage, Ammons and her other competitors managed to stay calm and poised.

Ammons plans use her scholarship money to pursue a biomedical science degree from and then go on to achieve her life goal of becoming a doctor.

“I’m just excited it will help pay for college,” she said, still in a daze after the pageant.

Wood and McCracken both said they were happy with the experience but were relieved to be off the stage. They said they look forward to finishing up their last year of high school.

Eddie Foxx and Sharon Greene of Asheville’s KISS Country radio station returned to host the ceremony with their quick wit and funny antics. Adding to the entertaining night were several dance numbers by Angie’s Dance Academy and a performance by the Pisgah High School cheerleaders.

The girls will make one more appearance in Canton’s Labor Day parade and Ammons will go on to serve various functions in her role as Miss Labor Day until passing on her crown to next year’s lucky winner.