Fourteen young women are set to compete Sunday 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 2010; 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 Amity trophies also will be awarded.

The winner will be crowned by last year's winner, 18-year-old Kelsey Ferrick, daughter of Joe and Debbie Ferrick 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:

<B>Taylor Abraham</B>, 17, is the daughter of Todd and Jackie Abraham of New Castle. She is a junior at New Castle High School, where she belongs to the National Honor Society and Peer Leadership and is a varsity cheerleader. Taylor works at Coney Island in New Castle.<BR></BR><BR></BR><B>Sara Bono</B>, 20, is the daughter of Randy and Tina Bono of Butler. She is a 2007 graduate of Butler High School and is on the dean's list at Butler County Community College, where she has completed a degree in human resource management. Sara works as a receptionist and chiropractor's assistant at Rotunda Chiropractic Group in Butler.<BR></BR>

<B>Stephanie Bonzo</B>, 19, is the daughter of Dan and Shelly Bonzo of West Sunbury and the late Renee Bonzo. She is a 2008 graduate of Moniteau High School. Stephanie also is a sophomore at Butler County Community College, where she is majoring in elementary education and belongs to the volleyball team. She works as a waitress at Applebee's in Butler and as a part-time model and actress.<BR></BR><BR></BR><B>Amanda Dillaman</B>, 20, is the daughter of James and Karen Dillaman of Slippery Rock. She graduated in 2007 from Slippery Rock High School and is majoring in art education with a minor in psychology at Slippery Rock University, where she is a junior and on the dean's list. Amanda works as a part-time model and as a librarian assistant at the campus library.<BR></BR>

<B>Annie Fischer</B>, 17, is the daughter of Steve and Sherri Fischer of Butler. She is a junior at Knoch High School, where she is a high honors student and a belongs to the National Honor Society, the volleyball team and the Spanish club. She works at Dairy Queen in Penn Township.<BR></BR><BR></BR><B>Christa Lamendola</B>, 18, is the daughter of Mark and Barb Lamendola of Mars. She is a senior at Mars High School, where she is a high honor roll student and belongs to the National Honor Society and student council and participates in theater. She works as a hostess at FirstWatch Cafe in Cranberry Township and is a crew leader at Bruster's in Seven Fields.<BR></BR>

<B>Ashley Lefever</B>, 19, is the daughter of Ron and Sandie Lefever of Butler. She is a 2008 graduate of Butler High School. Ashley is a sophomore at Butler County Community College, where she is majoring in communications, is on the dean's list and is a reviewer for the student newspaper.<BR></BR><BR></BR><B>Geneveve Miller</B>, 17, is the daughter of Rose Lucas and Robert Miller Jr. of Connoquenessing. She is a senior at Butler High School and also is a dance student.<BR></BR>

<B>Sarah Miller</B>, 17, is the daughter of Keith and Joloyn Miller of West Sunbury. She is a junior at Moniteau High School, where she belongs to the National Honor Society and participates in academic decathlon, dance and drill and track and field.<BR></BR><BR></BR><B>Kayla Mirabella</B>, 21, is the daughter of Paul and Marylou Tate of Pittsburgh. She is a 2006 graduate of New Castle High School. Kayla is a third-year student at Butler County Community College, majoring in computer information systems and web design. Kayla is on the dean's list and president's list and is the Phi Theta Kappa promotions officer.<BR></BR>

<B>Melissa Quattrone</B>, 23, of Butler is the daughter of Frank and Sandra Quattrone of Ridgway. She is a 2005 graduate of Ridgway High School and graduated this year from Slippery Rock University with a degree in communication. She works as a part-time model and as a junior recruiter at Pyramid Consulting Group in Wexford.<BR></BR><BR></BR><B>Blaikley Thompson</B>, 17, is the daughter of Christian and Tasha Werner of Butler. She is a senior at Butler High School, where she is a member of the lacrosse team and an office aide. She works as a salesperson at the Deb Shop in Clearview Mall.<BR></BR>

<B>Sarah Yousko</B>, 17, is the daughter of John and Julie Yousko of Renfrew. She is Pennsylvania Cyber Charter School senior and works at Boston Market in Cranberry Township.<BR></BR><BR></BR><B>Savannah Ziegler</B>, 20, is the daughter of James and Susan Ziegler of Prospect. She graduated in 2008 from Butler High School and is a sophomore at Butler County Community College, where she is majoring in elementary education, is on the dean's list and president's list and belongs to Phi Theta Kappa. She works as a spa assistant at Osiris Wellness and Day Spa in Evans City.

Taylor Abraham, Sara Bono

Stephanie Bonzo, Amanda Dillaman

Annie Fischer, Christa Lamendola

Ashley Lefever, Geneveve Miller

Sarah Miller, Kayla Mirabella

Melissa Quattrone, Blaikley Thompson

Sarah Yousko, Savannah Ziegler