GALLIPOLIS — The inaugural Miss River City Pageant took place Saturday with 17 contestants. The pageant was sponsored by the Gallipolis Junior Women’s Club.

Sarah Sydnor, 16, Gallipolis, captured the crown and title, making her the very first to hold the Miss River City title. She is the daughter of Greg and Lorna Atkins. Sydnor also won other awards including People’s Choice Award, Best Personal Interview Award and Best Formal Wear Award.

First runner-up in the Miss division went to Heather Brooks. She also took home the Academic Excellence Award.

Other award winners included Paige Sanders, Community Service Award, and Kirsti Bertram, Most Photogenic.

In the Junior Miss division, Shelby Rodgers, 13, Point Pleasant, W.Va., took home the crown and title. She also was the Most Photogenic winner. Rodgers is the daughter of Doug and Angela Rodgers.

Lexie Johnson won the Best Personal Interview Award and was named the first runner-up in this division. Other awards went to Cierra Fortner, People’s Choice Award; Monika Barlar, Marvelous Model Award; and Darian Miller, Fabulous Fashion Award.

Other contestants in the Junior Miss division included Alexis Gillenwater.

Taylor Gillam, 10, Point Pleasant, W.Va., was crowned the very first Little Miss River City Queen. She is the daughter of Kristi Manville and Jeff Gillam. Gillam also received the Best Personal Interview Award and Fabulous Fashion Award.

Alexis Wothe was selected as the first runner-up. Other award winners were Emma Shamblin, Most Photogenic; Kelsey Lynn Ward, People’s Choice Award; and Kia Satterfield, Marvelous Model Award.

Other contestants included Makenzie Mortiz and Alexandria Wood.

Contestants in the Little Miss and Junior Miss divisions competed in Casual Wear, Party Dress, and On-Stage Interview, while the Miss contestants competed in Casual Wear, Formal Wear and On-Stage Interview.

The emcee for the pageant was Elizabeth Miller Clary, committee chair. She is a former Miss Gallia County. Clary provided entertainment during intermission.

Jenna Arnott of Racine; Judy Kyees of Westerville; and Carrie Layne of Columbus served as judges for the pageant.

Visiting royalty in attendance at the Miss River City Pageant included Riley Sanders, Little Miss South Gallia; and Hailee Swain, Miss Gallipolis River Recreation Festival Queen. Sanders and Swain helped with the crowning of the queens.

The Gallipolis Junior Women’s Club would like to thank all those who helped make the pageant a great success, including the sponsors and the Miller family.

The very first Beautiful Baby and Toddler Contest for the Miss River City Pageant also took place before the older girls pageant.

Winners include:

• Girls 0-3 months, first place, Aubrey Madisyn McCarty, daughter of Felisha and Christopher McCarty. Boys 0-3 months, first place, Carter Layne Sanders, son of Jacob and Chrissie Sanders; and second place, Justin Allen Case, son of Jessica McGuire and Josh Case.

• Girls 7-9 months, first place, Ryliegh Kay Shafer, daughter of Ryan and Rachel Shafer. Boys 7-9 months, first place, Lincoln Marshall Shamblin, son of Amanda and Bray Shamblin.

• Girls 13-19 months, first place, Chloe McCarty, daughter of Courtney and Michael McCarty; and second place, Cheyenne Waugh daughter of Nate and Traci Waugh.

• Boys 16-19 months, first place, Blayde Alan Deweese, son of Tyler and Lindsey Deweese.

• Girls 2 years old, first place, Hannah Pope, daughter of Phillip and Christina Pope; second place (tie), Kennedy Shamblin, daughter of Bray and Amanda Shamblin and Kendra Williams, daughter of Brittani Williams; third place (tie), Emma Kate Sanders, daughter of Jacob and Chrissie Sanders and Alivia Grace McCarty, daughter of Felisha and Christopher McCarty.

• Girls 3 years old, first place, Grace Nicole Reynolds. daughter of Buck and Teresa Reynolds; and second place, Peytin Rossiter, daughter of Wendell and Misty Rossiter. Boys 3 years old, first place, Reid Curtis Shafer, son of Rachel and Ryan Shafer.

• Boys 4 years old, first place, Kraig Micheal Lemley son of Hedi Gilbert and Kraig Lemley.

• Girls 5 years old, first place, Rylee Gaskin, daughter of Sarah Turner.

(Editor’s note: Ohio Valley Publishing reporter Delyssa Huffman is the reigning Miss South Charleston.)