Twenty-three Butler County high school seniors will compete Sept. 24 in the 44th Butler County Junior Miss program at 7 p.m. at the Butler Intermediate High School.

Thousands of dollars in scholarship funds will be awarded to the top three contestants based on personal interviews, scholastic achievement and talent, fitness and poise. Smaller scholarship awards will also be given to individual category winners.

The master of ceremonies role will be shared by Junior Miss participants from each of the last five decades of the program. These representatives include Butler's first Junior Miss, Carole Smith Dickson, who won her title in 1963; Lynn Lyman Shaffer, Junior Miss 1970; Pamela Madden Quiggle, Junior Miss 1986; Feather Thomas Bacher, second runner-up in 1995 and president of the board of directors; and Melissa Brown, Junior Miss 2005.

Brown and other past contestants will participate in interviews and present their talents.

Other past competitors will participate in the panel of judges.

Greta Otterson-Curry will choreograph the event. Barbara Brandon, chairwoman for the board of directors, will produce the pageant. Feather Bacher is president of the board.

Although the national organization, America's Junior Miss, announced in May it would discontinue the program due to ongoing difficulty retaining corporate sponsors and securing airtime with television networks, public relations director David Mann said the board rescinded that decision in August after "an unexpected groundswell of support."

Mann said Junior Miss will proceed on a national level without pursuing television participation.

Although all 50 states have traditionally participated in the program, this year could show a decline in involvement, he added.

In addition to receiving scholarship funds, the Butler County winner will proceed to the state pageant, which will be held sometime this fall. The national event will be held the following summer. Details on both pageants are still being determined.

This year's Butler County contestants include:

<B>Maria Danae Adler</B>, the daughter of Dan and Lisa Adler of Butler, is a student at Knoch High School. She belongs to the National Honor Society, Family, Career and Community Leaders of America and the senior executive council.She will do a piano performance to "Hungary Rapsodie Mignonne" by Carl Koelling.<B>Valerie Kathleen Bundy</B>, daughter of Ken and Karen Bundy of Cabot, is a student at Knoch High School. She belongs to the National Honor Society, the senior executive council and Family, Career and Community Leaders of America. She will do a jazz dance to the song "Popular" from the musical "Wicked."<B>Katelyn Lee Carr</B>, daughter of Warren and Susan Carr of Butler, is a student at Knoch High School. She belongs to the National Honor Society and the senior executive council. She was also named in Who's Who Among American High School Students. Katelyn will do a staged vocal musical theater performance to "Popular" from the Broadway play "Wicked."

<B>Susan Joan Davidson</B>, daughter of Chris and Lori Davidson of Renfrew, is a student at Butler High School. She was named in Who's Who Among American High School Students, belongs to the National Honor Society and was a 2005 Volunteer of the Month. She will do a vocal and guitar performance to the original song "Just Hope."<B>Christianna Leigh Dawson</B>, daughter of Jay and Susan Dawson of Valencia, is a student at Mars High School. She belongs to the National Honor Society and participates in competitive dance and the school's chamber ensemble. She will do a lyrical dance performance to "Who Am I" by Casting Crowns.<B>Teresa Lynne DeBacco</B>, daughter of Victor and Sharon DeBacco of West Sunbury, is a student at Moniteau High School. She is tri-captain of the Moniteau High School Dance and Drill Team, vice president of the National Honor Society and a dance instructor. She will do a dance performance to "In My Daughter's Eyes" by Martina McBride.

<B>Ashley Rebekah Duespohl</B>, daughter of Thomas and Colleen Duespohl of Butler, is a student at Butler High School. She was named in Who's Who Among American High School Students, has won high honor roll and gold academic achievement awards and plays piano for the Butler Tornado Big Band. She will play the first movement of Beethoven's "Sonata Pathetique" on the piano.<B>Zackiya M. Grant</B>, daughter of Patrick and Pauline Grant of Slippery Rock, is a student at Slippery Rock High School. She is a member of the National Honor Society, is student council treasurer and named on the high honor roll. She will do a flute presentation to "Phantom of the Opera" by Andrew Lloyd Webber.<B>Melanie Lynne Grinder</B>, daughter of John and MaryJo Grinder of Butler, is a student at Butler High School. She belongs to the National Honor Society, has won high honor roll and academic achievement awards and was nominated for Leaders of Tomorrow. She will do a jazz/acro performance to "My Strongest Suit" from the musical "Aida."

<B>Brittnee Marie Hemphill</B>, daughter of Dennis and Catherine Hemphill of Butler, is a student at Butler High School. She has achieved gold academic achievement and high honor roll awards, belongs to the National Society of High School Scholars and has been named in Who's Who Among American High School Students. Brittnee will do a tap performance to "Dancin Fool" by Barry Manilow.<B>Elizabeth Ashley Keasey</B>, daughter of Ashley and Rosemary Keasey of Butler, is a student at Butler High School. She belongs to the National Honor Society, the United States Achievement Academy for Foreign Language and is a Sequinette co-captain. She will do a piano performance to Frederick Chopin's "Polonaise in A Major."<B>Shelby Amanda Knapp</B>, daughter of Regis Knapp of Saxonburg and Patty Knapp of Cabot, is a student at Knoch High School. She is a member of the student council and the National Honor Society. Shelby was also named in Who's Who Among American High School Students. She will do a jazz dance to the Latin American selection "Sway" from the soundtrack "Shall We Dance."

<B>Sarah Alexandra Kosar</B>, daughter of John and Phyllis Kosar of Butler, is a student at Butler High School. She attended the Pennsylvanian Governor's School for the Arts, majoring in theater; is student council secretary and has received academic achievement and high honor roll awards. She will do a vocal and guitar performance of "Adolescent Tears" with a self-composed poetic introduction.<B>Ashlee Rae McCafferty</B>, daughter of Brian and Ruth McCafferty of Butler, attends Butler High School. Ashlee has been named in Who's Who Among American High School Students, is a student council representative and has received gold academic achievement awards. She will do a jazz performance to "This Business of Love" from the soundtrack "The Mask."<B>Taylor Eve McLaughlin</B>, daughter of John and Margie McLaughlin of Butler, attends Butler High School. She is a Sequinette co-captain and has achieved gold academic achievement awards and Cecchetti ballet scholarships. Taylor will do a lyrical dance to "A New Life" from the show "Jekyl and Hyde."

<B>Kayla Marie Molczan</B>, daughter of Jeff and Terri Molczan of Butler, is a student at Butler High School. She was named Teen Miss Butler County 2005 and is a student council representative. She was also named in Who's Who Among American High School Students. Kayla will do a tap performance to "I Got Rhythm" by David Campbell.<B>Beth Christina Newell</B>, daughter of Rick and Carol Newell of Butler, is a student at the Pennsylvania Cyber Charter School. She participates in debate club, swims competitively for Team Pittsburgh and is a member of the stage crew for the Butler County Community College Succop Theater. She will do a piano presentation to "Clair de lune" by Claude Debussy.</B>Gretchen Marie Perschke</B>, daughter of Dr. Timothy and Mrs. Sharon Perschke of Butler, is a student at Butler High School. She has received high honor roll and gold academic achievement awards and a Butler Little Theatre Special Recognition Award, 2005. She is a member of the school marching band, in which she is a music section leader. Gretchen will perform a monologue from the play "Anton in Show Business" by Jane Martin.

<B>Tatum Elizabeth Risch</B>, daughter of Barry and Kathy Risch of Sarver, is a student at Freeport High School. She is a member of the National Honor Society and the student school board. Tatum has also been named in Who's Who Among American High School Students. She will do an Irish tap performance to "Over the Rainbow" from "Fleet of Flames."<B>Jaimee Elizabeth Stewart</B>, daughter of Gregg and Joan Stewart of Cranberry Township, attends Portersville Christian School. Jaimee belongs to the National Honor Society and the National Federation of Junior Festivals. She also competes in horseback riding. She will play Tchaikovsky's "Piano Concerto No. 1."<B>Channing Anne Sofko</B>, daughter of John and Beverly Sofko of Sarver, attends Freeport High School. She belongs to the National Honor Society, has achieved distinguished honor roll status and has been named in Who's Who Among American High School Students. Channing will do a baton twirling routine to "A Broadway Medley."

<B>Kati Ann Vollmer</B>, daughter of Jim and Mary Kay Vollmer of Butler, attends Butler High School. She has received high honor roll and gold academic achievement awards, was a Butler County Leaders of Tomorrow nominee and is a drill leader in the Butler High School Marching Band. She will play "The Flight of The Bumblebee" by N. Rimsky-Korsakoff.<B>Shannon Rae Walsh</B>, daughter of Tom and Margie Walsh of Saxonburg, attends Knoch High School. She is a member of the National Honor Society, the Family Career and Community Leaders of America and the senior executive council. She will perform a lyrical dance to Jessica Simpson's "Take My Breath Away."