POINT PLEASANT — Miley Cyrus sings it’s all about “the climb” and for Katherine Deem, that climb led her to the top of this year’s Third Annual Point Pleasant Sternwheel Regatta River Princess Pageant.

In addition to being named River Princess, Deem also took the award for most photogenic. Deem took home a prize package which includes a $100 cash scholarship from Bob’s Market and Greenhouses, a tiara compliments of Karat Patch Diamonds N Gold, a hand-beaded sash compliments of the Regatta Committee, a trophy compliments of West Virginia Department of Agriculture Commissioner Gus Douglas, magnetic car crown compliments of Richard Walker, CPA, BeautiControl package worth $75 compliments of Jessica Rulen-Riddle, sitting and 8x10 portrait from Main Street Photography, three-piece beauty bag set compliments of Rite Aid, custom princess bear and crown pin compliments of Heather Wood. Deem also took home a prize package for most photogenic which includes a trophy compliments of Commissioner Douglas and a custom teddy bear compliments of Jessica Rulen-RIddle.

Deem is a sixth grader at Roosevelt Elementary. Her hobbies and special interests include 4-H (Country Kritters), softball, volunteering at the West Virginia State Farm Museum, planting flowers and traveling West Virginia. School and community activities include first place in the state Social Studies Fair, third place in the county Science Fair, All-County and All-State Chorus, a published author, honor roll and perfect attendance, and Sand Hill Road Church of Christ Youth Group. Her future goals are to attend WVU and obtain a degree in orthopedic surgery. Deem is the daughter of Deron and Missy Deem of Leon.

Coming in first runner-up was Whitney Layton who took home her own prize package which includes a hand-beaded sash compliments of the Regatta Committee, trophy compliments of Commissioner Douglas, a Huntington Mall gift card compliments of Twin Oaks Federal Credit Union, BeautiControl mini-package compliments of Jessica Rulen-Riddle.

Layton is an eighth grader at Point Pleasant Junior/Senior High School. Her hobbies and special interests include cheerleading, gymnastics, shopping and hanging out with friends. Her school and community activities include cheerleading, band and 4-H. She attends Soul Harvest Church and helps with Biddy League cheerleaders. Her future goal is to become a special education teacher. Layton is the daughter of Don and Amy Layton of Point Pleasant.

The pageant, which had a theme of “Both Worlds” inspired by teen phenomena Cyrus/Hannah Montana, took place last night at the historic State Theatre with 2008 Sternwheel Regatta Queen Sahana Birchfield as the emcee, 2008 River Princess Lyndie Layton as co-emcee, 2005 Sternwheel Regatta Queen Heather Wood was the pageant director and Kelli Cottrill was the co-director.

Other young contestants in the pageant included Madison Barker, daughter of Bill and Cyndi Barker of Point Pleasant; Brooke Bartram, daughter of James Bartram and Kristy Pearce; Haleigh Bonecutter, daughter of Gred and Darlene Bonecutter of Point Pleasant; Alara Craddock, daughter of Richard and Patty Lambert of Leon; Sydney Crawford, daughter of Lori Loomis and Scott Crawford of Point Pleasant; Danielle Meadows, daughter of Danny and Nioka Meadows of Leon; LeAnna Nelson, daughter of Rocky Nelson and Erma and Timothy Stone of New Haven; Erykah Roach, daughter of Jason Roach and Angela Roach of Point Pleasant; Ariane Wells, daughter of Casey Lee of Point Pleasant.