11 women to compete for crown

December 09, 2011 Last Updated: December 09, 2011 02:43 PM Community

Pageant set for 7 p.m. on Dec. 18

Eleven young women will compete Dec. 18 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 LaMont Jones, a former fashion editor that recently was inducted into the Pittsburgh Fashion Hall of Fame.

Awards for the newly crowned winner will include entry into the 2012 Miss Pennsylvania USA pageant and various goods and services.

Four runners-up will receive trophies. Semifinalists will receive plaques. Miss Photogenic and Miss Congeniality trophies also will be awarded.

The new Miss Butler County USA will be crowned by last year's winner, 18-year-old Kelly Cundiff, daughter of Doug and Laurie Cundiff of Cranberry Township. Kelly was named fourth runner-up in the recent state pageant in Pittsburgh.

The pageant executive director is Mrs. Marilyn E. Kane, with Miss Marilyn Kane as pageant coordinator.

Cost to attend the pageant is $15. Tickets are available from contestants, the Kane Modeling School or by calling 724-287-0576 or 724-287-3576. Tickets also will be sold at the door.

This year's contestants include:Stephanie Bonzo, 21, the daughter of Dan and Shelly Bonzo of West Sunbury and the late Renee Bonzo. She is a graduate of Moniteau High School and Butler County Community College. Stephanie attends Slippery Rock University, where she majors in early childhood education and special education. She works as a part-time model and actress and as a waitress at North Country Brewing in Slippery Rock.Marissa Confer, 17, the daughter of Bruce and Kimberley Confer of Cranberry Township. She is a junior at Seneca Valley High School.McKenzie Davis, 16, the daughter of Shawn and Gretchen Davis of Butler. She is a junior at Knoch High School, where she is a varsity cheerleader, member of the National Honor Society and student director for plays and musicals. McKenzie also attends Butler County Community College and is a certified hip-hop instructor at Studio Fit in Penn Township.Alicia Grabiec, 17, the daughter of Bruce and Cathie Grabiec of Sarver. She is a junior at Freeport High School, where she is a member of the National Honor Society and the varsity track team. Alicia also volunteers as a research technician at UPMC Presbyterian Hospital in Pittsburgh.Tiffany Keffalas, 17, the daughter of James and Karen Keffalas of Renfrew. She is a senior at Butler High School, where she belongs to the Chanticleer Singers and girls ensemble. Tiffany also gives voice lessons and sings in her church choir and at nursing homes.Julie Koenig, 17, the daughter of John and Barb Koenig of Mars. She is a senior at Mars High School, where she is first violin in the school orchestra and a letter earner in diving, track, soccer and swimming. Julie also participates in plays and musicals and for three years has been a chairperson in the REACH club. She works as a seasonal lifeguard at the Treesdale Community Center in Gibsonia.

Taylor Maher, 18, the daughter of Bob and Marcia Maher of Butler. She is a senior at Butler High School, where she is a member of Stand Tall. She works as a server at The Brick House in Butler.Hannah O'Donoghue, 17, the daughter of Jack and Patty O'Donoghue of Cranberry Township. She is a junior at Seneca Valley High School, where she is an honor roll student, cheer captain and letter earner for managing wrestling. She works as a server at Bruster's Ice Cream in Seven Fields.Suleyma Palacios, 17, the daughter of Rey Palacios and Maria Ponce of Butler. She is a junior at Butler High School.Marisela Poblete, 16, the daughter of Kelly Caldwell of Butler. She is a senior at Butler High School, where she belongs to the National Society of High School Scholars and plays the flute in the marching band.Hope Vitous, 17, the daughter of Christine Pflugh of Butler and Frank Vitous of Portersville. She is a senior at Slippery Rock High School, where she is an honor roll student and a letter earner in varsity cheerleading and track.

WHAT: Miss Butler County USA PageantWHEN: 7 p.m. Dec. 18WHERE: Kean Theatre on the campus of St. Barnabas Health System in GibsoniaINFO: Tickets are available for $15 from contestants, the Kane Modeling School or by calling 724-287-0576 or 724-287-3576. Tickets also will be sold at the door.