A group of 11 young women will compete June 4 for the title of Distinguished Young Woman of Butler County. The annual scholarship program formerly was known as Butler County Junior Miss.

The competition is set for 7 p.m. at the Butler Senior High School Auditorium.

Scholarships will be awarded to the top three contestants based on personal interviews, scholastic achievements, talent, fitness and poise. Smaller scholarship awards also will be given to individual category winners.

In addition to receiving a scholarship, the 2012 county winner will proceed to the state event July 30 in Johnstown. The state winner will advance to the national pageant in Mobile, Ala.

According to Barbara Brandon, chairwoman of the event, the national nonprofit's name was changed last year to better reflect the focus on scholarship, leadership and talent.

Sarah Bishop, Butler County's Junior Miss 2011, won the state's first Distinguished Young Woman of Pennsylvania title this year. She will compete next month in Mobile for the national title.

Bishop is the daughter of Scott and Lori Bishop of Butler. She is set to begin her freshman year at the Cincinnati Conservatory of Music, majoring in musical theater.

Bishop's success and that of the newly named winner will be celebrated after the pageant in the school cafeteria.

This year's contestants include:

•

Emily Donato is the daughter of Antonette Donato of Butler and James Donato of Cranberry Township. She attends Butler High School, where she belongs to the National Honor Society and Environmental Club and participates in competitive dance. She will do a tap dance to “Here Comes the Sun” by the Beatles.•

Stephanie Gross is the daughter of Ted and Nancy Gross of Butler. She attends Knoch High School, where she belongs to the National Honor Society and varsity volleyball team and received a George Eastman Young Leaders Award. Stephanie will do a dance and twirl performance to “Who Loves You Pretty Baby” from the musical “Jersey Boys.”•

Kaisha Jantsch is the daughter of Pamela Jantsch of Zelienople. She attends Seneca Valley High School, where she is a College in High School honor roll student. Kaisha also is enrolled in pre-professional training for acting and musical theater at Act One Theatre School. She dances competitively at Center Stage Dance Academy. She will sing and tap dance to “Forget About the Boy” from the musical “Thoroughly Modern Millie.”•

Alexandra Lotz is the daughter of Kirby and Lisa Lotz of Prospect. She attends Slippery Rock High School, where she belongs to the National Honor Society, varsity track and field team and Academic Decathlon. She will recite the French poem “Artemis” by Gerard DeNerval.•

Marissa McGovern is the daughter of Mike and Beth McGovern of Slippery Rock. She is a student at Moniteau High School, where she belongs to the National Honor Society and dance and drill team. She also has received the Principal's Honor Award. She will do a hip-hop dance to “Not Your Birthday” by Allstar Weekend.•

Julia McGuire is the daughter of Robert and Patricia Moore. She attends Slippery Rock High School, where she belongs to the National Honor Society, Chamber Singers and swim team, having earned two letters. She will sing “And This is My Beloved” from “Kismet,” composed by Robert Wright and George Forrest.•

Katelyn Straynick is the daughter of Scott and Jennie Straynick. She attends Butler High School, where she belongs to the National Honor Society, marching band and student council, for which she serves as recording secretary. She will do a piano performance of “Gopak” by Modest Mussorgsky.•

Allyson Stoner is the daughter of Roger and Cheryl Stoner of Butler. She attends Butler High School, where she belongs to the German Foreign Exchange Program, National Junior Honors Society and National Federation of Music Club. She will do a piano performance of “The Firefly” by Anton Bilotti.•

Rachel Swain is the daughter of Ralph and Kristen Swain of Evans City. She attends Butler High School, where she belongs to the National Honor Society and has participated in Mock Trial and Model United Nations. She will do a piano performance of “The Promise of Spring” by Dennis Alexander.•

Olivia Swiergol is the daughter of Craig and Heather Swiergol of Butler. She attends Butler High School, where she belongs to the National Honor Society, rifle team and Aquaettes. She also received an American Legion Auxiliary Certificate of Distinguished Achievement Award. Olivia will do a flute performance of “Once Upon a December” by Stephen Flaherty.•

Courtney Zacherl is the daughter of George and Tina Zacherl of Saxonburg. She attends Knoch High School, where she belongs to the National Honor Society, student council and Knochettes dance and drill team. She will do a lyrical dance to “Glitter in the Air” by Pink.

<B>WHAT: </B>Distinguished Young Women of Butler County Scholarship Program pageant<B>WHEN: </B>7 p.m. June 4<B>WHERE:</B> Butler High School auditorium<B>INFO: </B>Tickets are on sale at $15 for adults or $10 for students through 12th grade at May’s Music Shoppe on East Jefferson Street, Butler Center for the Performing Arts on Penn Street or Shelor’s Dance Center on Fairground Hill Road. Tickets also are available by calling Debbi Wellner at 724-822-5823.