Thirteen women will compete for the 2005 Miss Butler County USA title Nov. 21 during a pageant at the Pittsburgh Marriott North in Cranberry Woods, Cranberry Township.

The pageant is an official preliminary to the Miss Pennsylvania USA Pageant, which leads to the nationally televised Miss USA Pageant.

Master of ceremonies will be J. Eddie Peck, who has starred in soap operas "The Young and the Restless," "All My Children" and "Days of our Lives."

Peck has also been cast in a number of movies and TV series and hosted the Miss USA Pageant in 1998.

Each of the contestants will appear in an evening gown and one-piece swimsuit following interviews with judges before the pageant.

Judging will be based on poise, personality and appearance.

The winning contestant will be crowned by last year's winner, Kelly Molnar of Butler, who is majoring in family and consumer sciences at Indiana (Pa.) University.

Awards for the winner will include a paid entry fee into the 2005 Miss Pennsylvania USA Pageant, a $500 shopping spree at the Prime Outlets in Springfield Township, Mercer County and a variety of other donated goods and services.

Cost to attend the pageant is $15. Tickets can be purchased from the contestants, at the door or by calling 724-287-0576 or 724-287-3576.

Vying for this year's crown are:

<b>Ashley Angresano,</b>17, is the daughter of Paul Angresano and Victoria Angresano of Cranberry Township. She is a junior at Seneca Valley High School and works as a greeter at Eat 'N Park in Cranberry Township.<b>Jessica Daman,</b>18, is the daughter of Dr. Denis and Mrs. Lisa Daman of Butler. She is a senior and high honors student at Knoch High School.

<b>Ashlee Green,</b>17, is the daughter of Stephen and Marsha Green of Butler. She is a senior at Butler High School, where she is a member of youth and government and plays varsity tennis. Green is also a sales associate at Rue 21 at the Clearview Mall.<b>Cara Hindman,</b>20, is the daughter of Jim and Cindy Hindman of Butler. She is a graduate of Butler High School and Butler County Community College. She is a junior at Slippery Rock University, where she works in the academic records office. Hindman also works as a tutoring assistant at Dassa McKinney Elementary School.

<b>Mary James,</b>18, is the daughter of Bill and Patricia James of Evans City. She is a senior at Seneca Valley High School, where she is class president and an honor student. She is employed at River City Grille in Cranberry Township and works as a part-time model and as an American Red Cross certified lifeguard.<b>Amanda Jaskot,</b>17, is the daughter of John and Pamela Jaskot of Butler. She is a senior at Butler High School, where she is an honor student, plays varsity soccer and participates in the college tech prep program. Jaskot is also employed at Panera Bread in Butler.

<b>Amanda Kelly,</b>17, is the daughter of Ken and Sherry Kelly of Evans City. She is a senior at Seneca Valley High School, where she is a student ambassador and on the honor roll. She is employed by Soergel's Orchards in Wexford.<b>Amber Lang,</b>20, is the daughter of Doug and Royce Lang of Cranberry Township. She is a 2002 graduate of Seneca Valley High School and is majoring in business management at Beaver County Community College.

<b>Keisha Lewis,</b>18, is the daughter of Randy and Gail Rava of Cranberry Township. She is a 2004 graduate of Seneca Valley High School and a freshman at Edinboro University. Lewis also works as a part-time model.<b>Katie McCormick,</b>19, is the daughter of Gary and Nancy McCormick of Mars. She is a 2004 Mars High School graduate and attends the Western School of Health and Business Careers in Pittsburgh. She is employed at Hollywood Tans in Wexford and works as a lifeguard at the Four Points Sheraton in Cranberry Township.

<b>Jennifer Melodia,</b>19, is the daughter of Amey Hunter of Valencia and Robert Melodia of New Mexico. She graduated in 2003 from Mars High School and works as a dietary aide for the St. Barnabas Health System.<b>Jo Marie Rankin,</b>18, is the daughter of Gary and Sheila Rankin of Renfrew. She is a senior and on the honor roll at Butler High School. She also attends Butler County Community College and is employed at McVay Music in Cranberry Township.

<b>Reneé Rankin,</b>23, is the daughter of Jim and Lois Rankin of Butler. She is a Butler High School graduate and holds degrees in criminal justice from Mercyhurst College and LaRoche College. She works as a corrections officer at the Butler County Prison.