19 to compete for pageant title

November 23, 2007 Last Updated: November 23, 2007 01:49 PM Community

It's preliminary to Miss Pa. USA

Nineteen young women are set to compete Dec. 2 for the title of Miss Butler County USA. The pageant will be held at 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.

Master of ceremonies will be J. Eddie Peck of Los Angeles, who has starred in numerous soap operas, television series and movies.

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.

Awards for the newly crowned winner will include entry fees for the Miss Pennsylvania USA Pageant in 2008; a $500 shopping spree at Prime Outlets - Grove City in Springfield Township, Mercer County; and other goods and services.

Four runners-up will receive trophies. Semi-finalists will receive plaques. Miss Photogenic and Miss Amity trophies will also be awarded.

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. Tickets will also be sold at the door.This year's contestants include:Sara Bono, 18, is a 2007 graduate of Butler High School and a freshman at Butler County Community College, where she is majoring in human resource management and communications. She also volunteers as an asthma awareness adviser. Sara is the daughter of Randy and Tina Bono of Butler.Stephanie Bonzo, 17, is a senior at Moniteau High School, where she belongs to the National Honor Society, Teens Against Tobacco Use and the volleyball and softball teams. She works at Sears in the Clearview Mall. Stephanie is the daughter of Dan and Shelly Bonzo of West Sunbury and the late Renee Bonzo.

Dyana Branchen, 18, is a 2007 graduate of Mars High School. She works at the Longhorn Steakhouse in Cranberry Township and at Fox's Pizza in Callery. Dyana also serves as spokesmodel for United Mining Equipment in Penn Township. She is the daughter of Darryl and Terri Branchen of Evans City.Chelsey Coven, 17, is a junior at Kittanning High School, where she is on the honor roll and a member of student council and Teens Against Tobacco Use. She also is a student at the Kane Modeling School. Chelsey is the daughter of Dale and Judy Coven of Cowansville.Heidi Cunningham, 18, is a 2007 graduate of Butler High School who has worked as a promotional model. She is the daughter of Terry and Michelle Cunningham of Sarver.

Holly Davis, 18, is a senior at Knoch High School, where she is on the honor roll and belongs to Future Farmers of America. She was recently named homecoming queen. Holly works part-time at Davis Machine, Inc. in Saxonburg. She is the daughter of Shawn and Gretchen Davis of Butler.Amanda Dillaman, 18, is a 2007 graduate of Slippery Rock High School who attends Slippery Rock University, majoring in art education. She works at the university library and as a part-time model. She is the daughter of James and Karen Dillaman of Slippery Rock.Becky Foertsch, 17, is a senior at Knoch High School, where she is an honor roll student and belongs to the chamber choir, AV club and German club. Becky works at King's Family Restaurant in Sarver and at Mulone Theaters, also in Sarver. She is the daughter of Robert Foertsch of Butler and Amy Foertsch of Sarver.

Amber Grupp, 17, is a senior at Knoch High School, where she is a feature twirler, a member of the National Society of High School Scholars and an honor roll student. She is the daughter of Rick and Amy Grupp of Butler.Kelley Gutshall, 20, is a 2006 graduate of Slippery Rock High School, where she was named 2006 prom queen. She works at Wal-Mart in Butler Township. She is the daughter of Jeffery and Tamara Gutshall of Butler.Crystal Hays, 19, is a 2006 graduate of Butler High School and a student at Butler County Community College. She works at Nextier Bank in Chicora and Sam's Club in Butler Township. She is the daughter of Rodney and Lisa Hays of Chicora.

Javelyn Hollefreund, 18, is a senior at Butler High School and also attends Butler County Vocational-Technical School, where she is enrolled in the health assistant program. She works at Serventi's Restaurant in Butler. She is the daughter of Tom and Debra Hollefreund of Butler.Lauren Hribar, 18, is a senior at Seneca Valley High School, where she is a member of the National Honor Society, chorus, Key Club and Tri-M. She is the daughter of Steve and Beth Hribar of Cranberry Township.Kelly Huth, 17, is a junior at Butler High School, where she is on the honor roll and a member of the track and volleyball teams. She works at Family Bowlaway in Butler. She is the daughter of Bill Huth and Tammy Huth, both of Butler.

Kuljit Kaur, 17, is a senior at Seneca Valley High School, where she is on the highest honor roll, is vice president of Key Club, belongs to the National Honor Society and participates as a pole vaulter in track and field. She works at Residence Inn Marriott and at UPMCPassavant, both in Cranberry Township. She is the daughter of Ranjit Kaur and Avtar Singh of Cranberry Township.Lyric McCommons, 18, is a senior at Allegheny-Clarion Valley High School, where she is a member of the county chorus. She also attends vocational school, where she studies dental assisting, and works as a dental assistant for Brent Bailey, D.M.D., in Parker. Lyric is the daughter of Von and Lynda McCommons of Emlenton.Brea Thrower, 17, is a senior at Knoch High School, where she is on the high honor roll and belongs to the history and German clubs and the varsity soccer team. She also belongs to the Northern Crew Cup Classic Soccer Team and works at J-Barn in Sarver. Brea is the daughter of John and Barbara Thrower of Saxonburg.

Maggie Revilla, 21, is a 2005 graduate of Champlain Valley Union High School and has attended Grove City College. She currently attends the Butler Beauty School and works at Super Cuts in Gibsonia. She is the daughter of Craig and Kathleen Revilla of Williston, Vt.Kristy Weber, 18, is a 2007 graduate of Butler High School and attends St. Vincent College in Latrobe, where she is majoring in pre-med. She is the daughter of Eric and Sandi Kirby of Butler.

WHAT: Miss Butler County USA pageantWHEN: 7 p.m. Dec. 2WHERE: Kean Theatre on the campus of St. Barnabas Health System, 5847 Meridian Road, GibsoniaINFO: Tickets are available for $15 from contestants; at the Kane Modeling School in the Morgan Center; by calling 724-287-0576 or 724-287-3576, or at the door.