A dozen young women and teens will compete next weekend for the titles of Miss Butler County USA and Miss Butler County Teen USA. The pageants are scheduled for 7 p.m. April 30 at the Kean Theatre on the campus of the St. Barnabas Health System in Gibsonia.

The newly crowned pageant winners will be entered into the Miss Pennsylvania USA and Miss Pennsylvania Teen USA pageants set for December, which are the official preliminaries to the national 2018 Miss Teen USA pageant and the nationally televised 2018 Miss USA Pageant. They are both part of the Miss Universe Organization.

The master of ceremonies will be Lamont Jones, a fashion editor, stylist and 2011 inductee into the Pittsburgh Fashion Hall of Fame.

Following one-on-one interviews with the judges, which are prior to the start of the pageant that evening, each contestant will appear on stage in an evening gown as well as active wear for Teen title contestants and a one-piece swimsuit for the Miss title contestants.

Judging is based on poise, personality, stage presence and overall appearance.

The executive director and producer of both pageants is Marilyn E. Kane, with Miss Marilyn Kane as the pageants' coordinator.

Tickets to attend both pageants, which will run simultaneously, cost $15. Tickets are available from the contestants, at the Kane Modeling School, 110 Morgan Center, or by calling 724-287-0576. Tickets also will be sold at the door.

This year's contestants are:

[naviga:h2]Miss Butler County USA[/naviga:h2]

- Arielle Alfonso, 18 , is the daughter of Juan and Denise Alfonso of Gibsonia. She is a senior at Mars Area High School, where she is a high honors student. She enjoys lifting weights . She is a referee for the Pa. West Soccer Association.

- Lexie Ball, 17, is the daughter of Bruce and Kathleen Ball of Butler. She is a junior at Butler Senior High School, where she is an honor roll student and on the homecoming court. She volunteers with the Fishbone Ministries and at her church as a day care worker and a worship group singer.

- Haley Loesch, 18, is the daughter of Tony and Trina Loesch of Cranberry Township. She is a senior at Seneca Valley High School, where she is a highest honor roll student and a member of the pom pon squad, chorus and school musicals. She student teaches dance at Star-Syled Dance Center. She plans to attend Mercyhurst University in Erie to obtain a degree in biochemistry.

- Kristi Sipes, 18, is the daughter of Chris Sipes and Barb Sipes of Harmony. She is a 2016 graduate of Seneca Valley High School, where she was an honor roll student. She is a freshman at Butler County Community College. She is employed as a cook at Fox's Pizza Den in Zelienople. She is a volunteer for Riding for the Handicapped of Western Pa.

- Mackenzie Thompson, 20, is the daughter of Doug and Linda Thompson of Volant. She is a 2015 graduate of Grove City High School and a sophomore at Butler County Community College majoring in child development. She is a childcare provider at the Little Treasures Learning Center in Grove City and volunteers at area nursing homes.

- Leah Bowden, 16, is the daughter of Gary and Doreen Bowden of Butler. She is a sophomore at Butler Senior High School, where she is a member of the Sequinette dance team, the varsity track and field team, Student Council and Mock Trial. She volunteers for community dinners and the Wesley Warriors Benefit for Pediatric Cancer.- Danielle Bowser, 16, is the daughter of Tracy and the late Scott Bowser and the granddaughter of Mary Ellen Bowser of Baden, with whom she lives. She is a sophomore at Ambridge Area High School where she is a straight-A highest honor roll student. She is a student at the Kane Modeling School in Butler and volunteers for community service work for several organizations.- Jacquelyn Haniwalt, 13, is the daughter of Tim and Alita Haniwalt of Butler. She is an eighth-grader in the Pa. Cyber Charter School. She is a member of the National Junior Honor Society. She volunteers for local community dinners and clothing drives.- Danielle Peterson, 16, is the daughter of Eric and Sarah Peterson and Tonya Blair Van Tassel, all of Oil City. She is a sophomore at Cranberry Area High School, where she is a member of the National Honor Society, World Language Club and Select Choir. She is a student at the Kane Modeling School in Butler.- Alicia Pflugh, 16, is the daughter of Robert and Christine Pflugh of Butler. She is a sophomore at Slippery Rock High School where she is an honor roll student, National Honor Society member, varsity cheerleader and member of the volleyball team. She is a member of Teens Against Tobacco Use and Teens Against Drugs and Alcohol.- Amanda Pristas, 16, is the daughter of John and Nancy Pristas of Cranberry Township. She is a sophomore at Seneca Valley High School, where she is a highest honor roll student and a member of the pom pon squad, Key Club, District Chorus and school musicals. She also volunteers for Vacation Bible Camp and other activities at St. Kilian Roman Catholic Church.- Tina Roth, 16, is the daughter of Paul and Tracy Roth of Butler. She is a sophomore at Butler Senior High School where she is a varsity wrestling statistician. She is a fundraiser and advocate for the Arthritis Foundation. She volunteers at the Butler County Humane Society.