Twelve young women will 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 the 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, part of the Miss Universe Organization, which is an NBCUniversal Media and Donald Trump joint venture.

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 in the soap operas “The Young & the Restless” as Cole Howard, “All My Children” as Jake Martin and “Days of Our Lives” as Hawk Hawkins, as well as roles in prime-time television series such as “Cheers,” “Dynasty” and “Dallas.”

The newly crowned pageant winner will be awarded an entry into the 2013 Miss Pennsylvania USA pageant and will receive various goods and services.

Runners-up will receive trophies. Semifinalists will receive plaques. Miss Photogenic and Miss Congeniality trophies will be awarded.

The new Miss Butler County USA will be crowned by last year's winner, 18-year-old Kourtnie Regan, daughter of Kevin and Kim Regan of Seven Fields. She is a senior at Seneca Valley High School.

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

Tickets to attend the pageant cost $15. Tickets are available from the contestants, at 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:

Alexis Allen, 18, is the daughter of Fred and Nichole Allen of Slippery Rock. She is a senior at Moniteau High School where she is a member of the National Honor Society, the Homecoming Court and is a varsity cheerleader. She volunteers for VOICE (Victim Outreach Intervention Center) in Butler.

Katie Bell, 20, is the daughter of Daniel and Shellie Bell of Franklin. She is a 2012 graduate of Rocky Grove High School where she played varsity basketball, volleyball and softball. She volunteers for the Bless Dress Ministry, the Pink Splash benefit for the Susan G. Komen Breast Cancer Foundation and Adopt a Highway.

Emma Chieppor, 17, is the daughter of Mike and Mary Chieppor of Cranberry Township. She is a junior at Seneca Valley High School where she is a member of the National Honor Society, the Science Honor Society, the Child Development Club and is a member of the varsity lacrosse team for which she won the Most Improved Award and the Midfield MVP Award.

Kayla Gallagher, 19, is the daughter of Julie Rodgers and Richard Staugh of Butler. A 2013 honors graduate at Butler Senior High, she is a freshman in the nursing program at Butler County Community College. She volunteers at the VNA Hospice in Butler.

Kylie Larkin, 18, is the granddaughter of John and Sandy Altmire of Eau Claire, with whom she lives. A 2013 graduate of Moniteau High School, where she received Principal Honors awards and lettered in academics, she is a freshman at Butler County Community College.

Casey Magdinec, 17, is the daughter of Patrick and Cindy Magdinec of Valencia. She is a senior at Mars High School where she is a high honors student, Interact Club president, Ski Club member and a varsity cheerleader. She is a Miracle League Buddy and volunteers at a nursing home.

Kayley McKay, 17, is the daughter of Tom and Maureen McKay of Harmony. She is a senior at Seneca Valley High School where she is a member of the National Honor Society, the National Society of High School Scholars, S.A.D.D., Teens for Tots and is treasurer of the Medical Careers Club.

Monica Ormay, 16, is the daughter of Robert and Kimberly Ormay of Oakmont. She is a junior in the PA Cyber School where she is a member of the gifted and talented program. She volunteers at her church and as an advocate for bullying awareness.

Randa Reges, 16, is the daughter of Randall Reges and Theresa Sherman of East Butler. She is a junior in the PA Cyber School. She is a volunteer for the Butler County Symphony Association and the Muscular Dystrophy Association.

Emily Rowland, 18, is the daughter of Doug and Tracy Rowland of Karns City. She is a senior at First Baptist Christian School in Butler where she is an honor roll student and captain of the volleyball team. She volunteers at the Slippery Rock Baptist Camp and with the Born to Run Sled Dog Club.

Hope Vitous, 19, is the daughter of Robert and Christine Pflugh of Butler. A 2012 graduate of Slippery Rock High School, she is a sophomore at Butler County Community College. She is a Toys for Tots, Muscular Dystrophy Association and Susan G. Komen Foundation volunteer.

Kristina Wenck, 19, is the daughter of Sherry Wenck of Butler. A 2013 graduate of Knoch High School, she is freshmen in the nursing program at Butler County Community College. She volunteers at the Salvation Army in Butler.

What: Miss Butler County USA PageantWhen: 7 p.m. SundayWhere: Kean Theatre at St. Barnabas Health System, 5850 Meridian Road, GibsoniaCost: Tickets are $15 and available from each of the contestants or at the Kane Modeling School in Butler, or by calling 724-287-0576 or 724-287-3576, or at the door.