Girls seek pageant titles

January 31, 2007 Last Updated: January 31, 2007 11:50 AM Community

2 winners to compete for Miss Pa.

Twenty young women in Butler County and surrounding areas will compete next month for the titles of Miss Butler County/America and Miss Moraine State/America.

The pageants will be held jointly Feb. 10 at Succop Theater at Butler County Community College.

Both winners will advance in June to the Miss Pennsylvania pageant, and the winner of that event will vie for the Miss America title in January.

Contestants ages 17 to 24 will be judged on interviews, talent, an evening gown competitor and onstage questions.

The role of master of ceremonies will be shared by Alycia McCullough, 2006 Miss Butler County/America, and Lucy Hazlett, 2006 Miss Moraine State/America.

Special guests will include Tawni Darby, last year's Miss Moraine State Outstanding Teen/America, who also won the state title.

Performers include winners of this year's Little Miss Butler County/America, Junior Miss Butler County/America, Miss Butler County Outstanding Teen/America and Miss Moraine State Outstanding Teen/America.

The pageants are presented by Miss Butler County and Miss Moraine State scholarship pageants. Lee Garrard will direct.

Contestants include:

Lauren DiMaria, 21, of Cranberry Township is the daughter of Louis and Marlene DiMaria. She is a graduate of Allegheny College. She will dance to "Ain't No Other Man." Ashley Duespohl, 18, of Butler is the daughter of Thomas and Colleen Duespohl. She is a freshman at Duquesne University. Ashley will play Beethoven's "Sonata Pathetique" on the piano.

Shawna Hart, 18, of Slippery Rock is the daughter of Donald Hart and Cheryl Cranmer. A freshman at Cedar Crest College, she will do a lyrical dance to "Painted on My Heart." Danielle Hillwig, 19, of Chicora is the daughter of Boyd and Shirley Hillwig. Danielle is a freshman at Thiel College. She will do a vocal performance of "O Come, My Heart's Delight."

Katelyn Kaiser, 19, of Harmony is the daughter of John and Karen Kaiser. A sophomore at West Virginia University, she will do a baton performance to "Barra Barra." Bria Nelko, 17, of Cranberry Township is the daughter of William and Sandra Nelko. Bria is a senior at Seneca Valley High School. She will do a jazz/acro dance to "S.O.S."

Tiffany Shaffer, 20, of Karns City is the daughter of Phillip and Brenda Shaffer. She is a sophomore at Gannon University. She will do a jazz dance to "How Sweet It Is." Erin Uhl, 21, of Karns City is the daughter of Frank and Heather Uhl. She is a junior at Slippery Rock University. She will do a lyrical/acro dance performance to "Suddenly I See." Kristy Weber, 17, of Butler is the daughter of Eric and Sandra Kirby. A senior at Butler High School, Kristy will do a vocal performance of "Blue."

Jo Alspaugh, 21, of Russell is the daughter of George and Linda Alspaugh. She is a junior at Mercyhurst College. She will do a jazz dance to "Mack the Knife." Samantha Clawges, 19, of Hadley is the daughter of Michael and Cynthia Clawges. Samantha is a sophomore at Gannon University. She will do a jazz dance to "Simply Irresistible."

Jenna Collins, 20, of Nazareth is the daughter of David and Joanne Collins. A senior at Millersville University, Jenna will sing "If You Can't Sing it." Brittani DeVore, 17, of Saegertown is the daughter of Todd and Christine DeVore. She is an early access student at Allegheny College. She will do a lyrical dance to "Gold Dust."

Catherine Gabriel, 23, of Slatington is the daughter of Julius and Regina Gabriel. Catherine is a sophomore at Franciscan University of Steubenville. She will sing "When You Are Old." Sarah Hough, 18, of New Eagle is the daughter of Judith Hough. She is a freshman at Thiel College. She will dance to "Save Me From Myself."

Mallory Keith, 22, of Altoona is the daughter of Steve and Patti Keith. A senior at Point Park University, Mallory will do a vocal performance of "My Immortal." Kelsey Pitini, 19, of Baden is the daughter of Kathryn and Robert Copenhaver. Kelsey is a sophomore at Carlow University. She will do a vocal performance of "Crazy."

Amy Swonger, 21, of Saegertown is the daughter of Quinn and Marlene Werner. She is a junior at Edinboro University. She will do a vocal performance of "Non Su Piu Cosa Son." Sarah Timm, 21, of Saint Marys is the daughter of Robert and Sheri Timm. A senior at Westminster College, Sarah will sing "Girl in 14G." Megan Wasson, 21, of Conneautville is the daughter of Deborah Wasson. She is a first- year osteopathic medical student at the Lake Erie College of Medicine. She will do a tap dance to "This Cat's on a Hot Tin Roof."