Pageants attract 21 contestants

March 16, 2005 Last Updated: March 16, 2005 02:09 PM Community

Winners to vie for Miss Pa.

Twenty-one young women from Butler County will be featured this month in two pageants at Butler County Community College.

The 22nd Miss Butler County America and the 9th Miss Moraine State America pageants will begin at 7 p.m. Saturday in the Succop Theater. Tickets may be purchased for $10 at Lee's School of Dance, 122 W. Penn St., or at the door.

Titled "I Go to Work," the joint event will be emceed by Sheena Hollinger, last year's Miss Butler County; and Jessica Megliss, the 2004 Miss Moraine State.

Candidates will be judged in the categories of interview, talent, swimsuit, presence and poise, and on-stage interview. There are 10 Miss Butler contestants and 11 Miss Moraine contestants.

The winner of each title will receive $1,000 in scholarships, plus other prizes. First runners-up will receive $400, second runners-up will receive $200, and third runners-up will receive $100 in scholarship prizes.

First-place winners will go on to compete in the Miss Pennsylvania/America pageant June 23 to July 2 near Allentown.

This year's contestants include:

Lauren Nichole DiMaria,19, a sophomore at Allegheny College, plans to work in public relations. She will perform a hip-hop/jazz/ballet dance routine to "Stronger." She is the daughter of Lou and Marlene DiMaria of Cranberry Township.Miranda Lee Hutchison,17, a senior at Butler High School, is planning a career in hotel and resort management. She will perform a jazz dance to "All That Jazz." She is the daughter of Don and Paula Hutchison of Butler.Katie Keck,18, a senior at Butler High School, plans to pursue a career in dance. She will perform a lyrical dance to "Romancin' the Blues." She is the daughter of Rob and Karen Keck of Butler.

Rachel Lynn Killmeyer,20, a sophomore at Slippery Rock University, would like to teach elementary school in the south. She will perform a line dance to "Callin' Baton Rouge." She is the daughter of Ralph and Darlene Killmeyer of New Castle.Heather Renne Pate,18, a freshman at Westminster College, hopes to earn a master's degree before beginning a career in education. She will sing "A Little Brains, A Little Talent." She is the daughter of Kenneth and Cynthia Pate of Chicora.

Jo Marie Rankin,18, a freshman at Clarion University, is studying to become a music teacher. She will play "Orange Blossom Special" on the violin. She is the daughter of Gary and Sheila Rankin of Butler.Renee Rankin,24, a graduate of La Roche College, hopes to become a law enforcement officer and help fight the war on drugs. She will play "Minuet in G" on the piano. She is the daughter of Jim and Lois Rankin of Butler.Trista L. Tompkins,24, of Butler, will recite poetry. She is the daughter of Daniel and Barbara Tompkins.

Erin O'Reilley Uhl,19, a freshman at Butler County Community College, hopes to earn a degree in business and become a business owner. She will do a lyrical/acro dance to "Angels." She is the daughter of Chip and Heather Uhl of Karns City.Jessica Ann Zajac,19, a senior at Slippery Rock High School, hopes to work in the weather field. She will perform a contemporary Arabian dance to "Sad Diamonds." She is the daughter of David and Regina Zajac of Portersville.

Darcie Faye Bell,23, of East Brady, a graduate of Slippery Rock University, plans to work as a music teacher. She will sing "Fair Robin my Love." She is the daughter of Thomas and Dorinda Aigner.Mandi Marie Fargo,20, a sophomore at Behrend College, will pursue a career in broadcast journalism. She will play "Quando M'en Vo soletta La Via" on the piano. She is the daughter of Rodney and Dolores Fargo of Corry.Elizabeth Gilliland,22, a senior at Allegheny College, would like to earn a master's of divinity and doctor of ministry degree. She will perform a tap dance to "Witch Doctor." She is the daughter of John and Laurie Gilliland of Grove City.

Lucy Ann Hazelet,18, a sophomore at Indiana (Pa.) University, hopes to become a journalist on a major television network. She will play "Le Papillon" on the piano. She is the daughter of Theodore and Paula Hazelet of Indiana.Sonja Marie McCord,24, of Monroeville, a graduate of Duquesne University, hopes to earn a master's degree and pursue a career in dance and choreography. She will perform a vocal and dance presentation of "I Can't Do it Alone." She is the daughter of Deerwood and Miranda McCord.Melissa Rose,23, of Ambridge, a student at Allegheny County Community College, hopes to earn a doctorate in psychology and run a therapeutic riding program. She will do a modern dance performance to music by Madonna. She is the daughter of Thomas and Tammy Rose.

Robin Smith,20, of Ambridge, plans to earn a bachelor's degree in human resource management with a minor in interior design. She will do a vocal performance. She is the daughter of Susan Smith.Allyn Michele Susko,20, a sophomore at Duquesne University, hopes to earn a doctorate in physical therapy and open her own practice. She will play "Prelude in C Sharp Minor" by Sergei on the piano. She is the daughter of George and Suni Susko of Windber.Amy Elizabeth Swonger,19, of Saegertown, is a freshman at Edinboro University, where she is pursuing a degree in broadcast journalism. She will do a vocal performance of "Vanilla Ice Cream." She is the daughter of Randy and Mary Lee Swonger.

Lynda Marie Wachob,21, is a senior at Clarion University, where she is seeking a degree in secondary education. She will play Beethoven's "Fur Elise" on the piano. She is the daughter of David and Susan Wachob of Punxsutawney.Megan Nicole Wasson,19, is working on a degree in pre-medicine at Pennsylvania State University. She will perform a self-written comedic monologue "The Typewriter." She is the daughter of Deborah Wasson of Conneautville.