18 will compete in county pageant

November 28, 2008 Last Updated: November 28, 2008 09:40 AM Community

Event is preliminary to Miss Pa.

Eighteen young women are set to compete Dec. 7 for the title of Miss Butler County USA. The pageant is set for 7 p.m. at the Kean Theatre on the campus of St. Barnabas Health System in Gibsonia.

The competition for young women ages 17 to 25 is a preliminary to the Miss Pennsylvania USA Pageant, which leads to the nationally televised Miss USA Pageant. The Miss USA Pageant is part of the Miss Universe Organization, which is an NBC Universal and Donald Trump partnership.

Each contestant will appear onstage in an evening gown and one-piece swimsuit following one-on-one interviews with the judges before the pageant. Judging is based on poise, personality, stage presence and overall appearance.Master of ceremonies will be J. Eddie Peck of Los Angeles, known for his starring roles on soap operas "The Young and the Restless," "All My Children" and "Days of Our Lives" as well as for his role as Adam Baylin in the ABC Family series "Kyle XY." Peck also has appeared in numerous other prime time series and movies.Awards for the newly crowned winner will include entry fees for the Miss Pennsylvania USA Pageant in 2009; a $500 shopping spree at Prime Outlets in Grove City and other goods and services.

Four runners-up will receive trophies. Semifinalists will receive plaques. Miss Photogenic and Miss Congeniality trophies will also be awarded.The winner will be crowned by last year's winner, 19-year-old Lauren Hribar, daughter of Steve and Beth Hribar of Cranberry Township.The pageant executive director is Marilyn E. Kane. Her daughter, Marilyn Kane, is pageant coordinator.Cost to attend the pageant is $15. Tickets are available from contestants; at the Kane Modeling School in the Morgan Center; or by calling 724-287-0576 or 724-287-3576. Pending availability, tickets also will be sold at the door.

This year's contestants include:Rebecca Barb, 18, is the daughter of Ralph and Patty Barb of Cranberry Township. She is a senior at Seneca Valley High School, where she is an honor roll student, was on the homecoming court and is a member of student council and the Tri-M Music Honor Society.Alyssa Battin, 16, is the daughter of Karla Battin of Valencia and Jeffrey Battin of Wexford. She is a junior at Mars High School, where she is an honor roll student and a member of the varsity volleyball team. She works at The Planet Pulse in Cranberry Township.Sara Bono, 19, is the daughter of Randy and Tina Bono of Butler. She is a 2007 graduate of Butler High School and attends Butler County Community College, where she is a sophomore majoring in human resource management. She also volunteers for the For Your Good Health organization as a newsletter writer.

Stephanie Bonzo, 18, is the daughter of Dan and Shelly Bonzo of West Sunbury and the late Renee Bonzo. She graduated in 2008 from Moniteau High School, where she was named prom queen. She is a freshman at Butler County Community College, majoring in elementary and special education. She belongs to the BC3 volleyball and softball teams and works as a part-time model and a sales associate at Sears.

Michelle Campbell, 17, is the daughter of John and Diane Campbell of Zelienople. She is a senior at Seneca Valley High School, where she plays flute in the marching band, belongs to SADD and the yearbook staff and competes in Academic Games. She works at Cici's Pizza in Cranberry Township.Chelsey Coven, 18, is the daughter of Dale and Judy Coven of Cowansville. She is a senior at Kittanning High School, where she is on the distinguished honor roll, belongs to the National Honor Society and student council and has lettered in track and field. She is a student at the Kane Modeling School and works part-time as a model.Loni DiEmidio, 17, is the daughter of William and Melody DiEmidio of Sarver. She is a senior at Freeport High School, where she is an honor roll student, a member of the ski club and a news editor and anchor for the BEE-TV station. She works at Sheetz in Sarver.Amanda Dillaman, 19, is the daughter of James and Karen Dillaman of Slippery Rock. She graduated in 2007 from Slippery Rock High School. She is majoring in art education at Slippery Rock University, where she is a sophomore. Amanda also competes in equestrian events and works as a part-time model and as a librarian assistant at the college library.Amanda Fernandez, 18, is the daughter of Juan and Cindy Fernandez of Harmony. She is a senior at Seneca Valley High School, where she is an honor roll student, was on the homecoming court and is the drum major for the marching band. She also has earned several letters in track and field. Amanda works at Subway in Zelienople.Kelsey Ferrick, 17, is the daughter of Joe and Debbie Ferrick of Cranberry Township. She is a senior at Seneca Valley High School, where she is involved in Teens for Tots, the ecology club and SADD. She works at Hollywood Tans in Cranberry Township.Brittaney Foster, 16 is the daughter of William and Teri Ann Foster of Butler. She is a sophomore at Moniteau High School, where she is a member of Starfish, Helping Hands and the stage crew.Brittany Hancheck, 18, is the daughter of Paul and Pam Hancheck of Butler. She is a 2008 graduate of Knoch High School and is a freshman at West Virginia University, where she is studying to work in the medical field. She works part-time at Buffalo Wild Wings in Gibsonia.Christa Lamendola, 17, is the daughter of Mark and Barb Lamendola of Mars. She is a junior at Mars High School, where she is on the honor roll and belongs to the National Honor Society, student government and the varsity volleyball team. She works at Bruster's Ice Cream in Seven Fields.Camblin Leonard, 17, is the daughter of Guy and Dr. M. Denice Leonard of Gibsonia. She is a junior at Mars High School, where she is on the highest honor roll, belongs to the anti-drug program REACH and was named varsity volleyball MVP. She works at Red Robin in Cranberry Township.Theresa Nelson, 17, is the daughter of Loretta Sowa and Brad Nelson of Mars. She is a senior at Mars High School, where she is on the high honor roll, has earned several varsity letters on the golf team and belongs to REACH and the Water Protection Program.Kristina Paracca, 17, is the daughter of Ken and Jayne Paracca of Valencia. She is a junior at Mars High School, where she is an honor roll student, a member of the Varsity Club and Water Protection Program, participates in track and field and was named varsity soccer MVP.Shayla Snyder, 17, is the daughter of George and Vanessa Snyder of West Sunbury. She is a senior at Moniteau High School, where she belongs to the dance and drill team and is vice president of the concert choir.Corinna Wells, 17, is the daughter of Rich and Lee Ann Wells of Chicora. She is a senior at Butler High School, where she is an honor roll student and plays flute in the marching band. She works as a sales associate at J.C. Penney.

WHAT: 2009 Miss Butler County USA pageantWHEN: 7 p.m. Dec. 7WHERE: Kean Theatre, 5847 Meridian Road, on the campus of St. Barnabas Health System in GibsoniaTICKETS: Tickets are available for $15 from contestants, at the Kane Modeling School in the Morgan Center or by calling 724-287-0576 or 724-287-3576. Pending availability, tickets also will be sold at the door.