Miss America titles beckon

February 15, 2008 Last Updated: February 15, 2008 10:17 AM Community

Teens, women in 4 contests hope to advance

Pageants to determine who will compete in the 2008 Miss Pennsylvania and Miss Pennsylvania Outstanding Teen competitions in July are set for next week at the Butler County Community College Succop Theater.

A Feb. 23 pageant will feature seven young women from Butler County vying for the title of Miss Butler County/America. It also will feature 11 contestants from outside Butler County competing for the title of Miss Moraine State/America. The pageant will begin at 7 p.m.

The Feb. 24 pageant will feature six contestants competing for the title of Miss Butler County Outstanding Teen/America and five competing for the Miss Moraine State Outstanding Teen/America title. That competition will begin at 2 p.m.

Contestants in both events will be judged on interviews, talent and onstage questions. The Miss Outstanding Teen contestants will model fitness wear. Contestants in the Miss Pennsylvania event will model swimsuits.

The pageants will be directed by Judy Hughes, Lucy Mudrick and Lee Garrard, who also will serve as director and choreographer.

Winners will advance to their respective state pageants July 11 and 12 in Allentown. Winners of those pageants will compete for the titles of Miss America and Miss Outstanding Teen America.

The Miss America pageants are open to young women ages 17 to 24. The Miss Outstanding Teen events are open to ages 13 to 17.

Contestants include:

Marisa Campbell, 17, of Butler is the daughter of Jeffrey and Susan Campbell. She is a senior at Butler High School who plans to major in broadcast journalism at Syracuse University. She will do a jazz/acro dance to "Never Alone."Chelsea Gregory, 17, of Mars is the daughter of William and Sharon Gregory. She is a senior at Mars High School and plans to major in communication and marketing at Gardner Webb University. She will do a jazz dance to "All That Jazz."Danielle Hillwig, 20, of Chicora is the daughter of Boyd and Shirley Hillwig. She is a sophomore at Thiel College, where she is majoring in history with a minor in secondary education and music. She will do a vocal performance of "Deh vieni, non tardar" from the Mozart opera "The Marriage of Figaro."Rachelle Rankin, 19, of Butler is the daughter of Jim and Lois Rankin. She is a sophomore at Edinboro (Pa.) University, where she is studying graphic design. She will do a monologue "As the Blonde Newlywed."Koren Ryan, 18, of Karns City is the daughter of Ted and Karen Ryan. She is a senior at Karns City High School. She plans to study nursing at Butler County Community College. She will do a vocal performance.Skye Sankey, 17, of Butler is the daughter of Ronald and Veronica Sankey. She is a senior at Butler High School and plans to study physical therapy. She will do a martial arts/gymnastics routine to "Bounce with Me," "I Love Rock 'n' Roll" and "Click Click Boom."Kristy Weber, 18, of Butler is the daughter of Eric and Sandi Kirby. She is a freshman at St. Vincent College, where she is majoring in pre-med with a minor in business. She will sing "Someone Like You."

Amber Alsop, 19, of Knox is the daughter of Edward and Denise Alsio-Rhoades. She is a freshman at Clarion (Pa.) University, where she is majoring in molecular biology and biotechnology. She will do a piano performance of "Courage of the Wind."Samantha Clawges, 20, of Hadley is the daughter of Michael and Cynthia Clawges. She is a junior at Gannon University, where she is studying to be a physician's assistant with a minor in biology. She will do a jazz/modern dance to "Cry."Lexie-Olivia Grant, 18, of Gettysburg is the daughter of James and Tonya Grant. She is studying music performance at Gettysburg College, where she is a freshman. She will play "Old Joe Clark" on the violin.Ashleigh Kaleugher, 19, of Aliquippa is the daughter of Doug and Diane Kaleugher. She is a sophomore at Penn State University, where she is majoring in biology. She will sing "The Trolley Song."Brigid Kearns, 20, of Grove City is the daughter of Michael and Amy Kearns. She is a sophomore at Edinboro (Pa.) University, where she is studying psychology. She will do a dance to "Popular."Jenna Knopsnyder, 19, of Somerset is the daughter of Clarence and Amy Knopsnyder. She is a sophomore at Shippensburg University, where she is studying public relations. She will sing "If My Friends Could See Me Now."Jolene Nieves, 20, of Central City is the daughter of Jacqueline Nieves and the late Juan Nieves. She is a junior at Seton Hill University, where she is majoring in history and political science. She will do a vocal performance of "Come to Your Senses."Melissa Pierce, 21, of Meadville is the daughter of David and Toni Pierce. She is pursuing a graduate degree at the LECOM School of Pharmacy. She will do a dance twirl to "He's a Dream."Kendria Perry, 23, of Pittsburgh is the daughter of Kevin and Shirley Perry. She is pursuing graduate studies at Carnegie Mellon University, where she is a classical piano performance major. She will perform a classical selection on the piano.Meredith Semon, 20, of West Newton is the daughter of Michael and Nancy Semon. She is a sophomore at Allegheny College, where she is majoring in physics and minoring in dance and economics. She will do a lyrical acro dance to "Adagio."Kelsey Pitini, 20, of Baden is the daughter of Robert and Kathryn Copenhaven. She is a junior at Carlow University, where she is majoring in elementary and special education. She will sing "Crazy."

Elizabeth Archambault, 16, of Butler is the daughter of David and Elizabeth Archambault. She is in 10th grade at Butler Intermediate High School. She will do a tap selection to "Stuff Like That There."Sarah Bishop, 15, of Butler is the daughter of Scott and Lori Bishop. She is a ninth grader at Butler Intermediate High School. She will sing "If I Had My Way."Crystal Chilcott, 15, of Butler is the daughter of Donald and Shirley Chilcott. She is in ninth grade at Butler Intermediate High School. She will skate to "March of the Toreador."Kara Fenoglietto, 17, of Mars is the daughter of David and Janelle Fenoglietto. She attends Mars High School, where she is in 11th grade. She will sing "Not For the Life of Me."Eden Gade, 15, of Butler is the daughter of Thomas and Barbara Gade. She is in ninth grade at Butler Intermediate High School. She will do a pointe dance to "Times Like This."Ally Wunsche, 15, of Cranberry Township is the daughter of Bryan and Debbie Wunsche. She is a 10th grader at Seneca Valley High School. She will sing "My Own Space."

Elissa McCracken, 17, of Waynesburg is the daughter of Jeff and Helen McCracken. She is an 11th grader at Waynesburg Central High School. She will do a piano and vocal performance of "Don't Know Why."Kelly McGill, 16, of Grove City is the daughter of Bradley and Kathleen McGill. She is a ninth grader at Grove City High School. She will sing "Many a New Day."Carly Rice, 17, of Meadville is the daughter of Debby Wilson. She is in 11th grade at Meadville High School. She will do a lyrical jazz dance to "What a Feeling."Olivia Thomas, 15, of Grove City is the daughter of Eric and Paula Thomas. She is in ninth grade at Grove City High School. She will sing "Part of Your World."Cassandra Trent, 15, of Grove City is the daughter of Craig and Michelle Trent. She is a ninth grader at Grove City High School. She will sing "Someone Else's Story."

WHAT: 2008 Miss Butler County/America and Miss Moraine State/America pageantWHEN: 7 p.m. Feb. 23WHERE: Succop Theater on the Campus of Butler County Community College, 107 College Drive, Butler TownshipTICKETS: Available for $10 from contestants; from Lee's School of Dance at 122 W. Penn St.; from Dance Connection at 126 W. Penn St.; or at the door

WHAT: 2008 Miss Butler County Outstanding Teen/America and Miss Moraine State Outstanding Teen/America pageantWHEN: 2 p.m. Feb. 24WHERE: Succop Theater on the Campus of Butler County Community College, 107 College Drive, Butler TownshipTICKETS: Available for $10 from contestants; from Lee's School of Dance at 122 W. Penn St.; from Dance Connection at 126 W. Penn St.; or at the door