Photos by Jared Soares | The Roanoke Times

Constants hold hands before the eleven finalists are announced during Saturday evening's 2008 Miss Virginia Pageant held at the Roanoke Civic Center.

Miss Arlington Tara Wheeler holds back tears as she is crowd by last year's Miss Virginia Hannah Kiefer at the conclusion of Saturday evening's 2008 Miss Virginia Pageant held at the Roanoke Civic Center.

The crowd was electric Saturday night in the Roanoke Civic Center as Miss Arlington, Tara Wheeler, was crowned Miss Virginia 2008 in a bright, red evening gown.

Miss Virginia 2007 Hannah Kiefer passed on her crown to the Penn State University graduate, whose onstage interview question asked what one would find if he or she Googled Wheeler's name. "My personal Web page, promoting my platform (Breaking Stereotypes, Building Leaders), and my Penn State University ice hockey statistics!" she replied.

Wheeler admitted to Googling herself last week before the pageant began. Wheeler was awarded a $16,000 scholarship and will move on to represent Virginia in the Miss America pageant next year.

Rounding out the top five were first runner-up Caressa Cameron (Miss Hanover), second runner-up Shannon Beam (Miss Central Virginia), third runner-up Elizabeth Crot (Miss Hampton Roads) and fourth runner-up Chinah Helmandollar (Miss Greater Franklin County). Cameron was a top five finalist in 2007 as well.

Wheeler impressed the judges and the crowd in a gold dress with her vocal performance of "Since I Fell for You," which she dedicated to her father, who returned from his third tour of duty in Iraq shortly before the Miss Virginia Pageant. She walked the stage in a yellow and white bikini during swimsuit competition.

For their final question, each of the top five finalists chose a question that a non-finalist had written. Every contestant submitted a question last week.

Also announced Saturday was Miss Virginia's Outstanding Teen 2008, Lexie Overholt, of Oakton, who received a $1,000 savings bond with her win. Miss Virginia's Outstanding Teen 2007 Caitlin Brunell crowned Overholt during the live show.

Miss America 1999 and Miss Virginia 1998 Nicole Johnson returned for the pageant and was recognized onstage. She later returned to the stage to help announce the winner.

The top 11 semi-finalists all competed in swimsuit, talent and evening wear competitions. All 24 contestants were escorted in their evening wear by a significant man in their family before the winner was announced.

Wheeler obtained a B.A. in Journalism from Penn State University in 2006. Her career ambition is to work as a reporter or anchor for a television news station and use her position in the public eye to advocate for female-empowering organizations.

Miss America 1987 Kellye Cash concluded her third night as mistress of ceremonies when Wheeler was crowned.