Thirteen young women are set to compete Nov. 19 for the title of Miss Butler County USA. The pageant will be held at 7 p.m. at the Butler Days Inn in Butler Township.

The local competition is an official 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.

The pageant is open to young women ages 17 through 25 who live or attend a state-licensed school in Butler County.

The pageant executive director is Marilyn E. Kane. Her daughter, Marilyn Kane, is pageant coordinator.

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 entree fees for the Miss Pennsylvania USA Pageant in 2007; a $500 shopping spree at Prime Outlets 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.

Cost to attend the pageant is $15. Tickets are available from contestants; at the Kane Modeling School in the Morgan Center; or by calling 724-287-1576 or 724-287-3576. Tickets will also be sold at the door.

This year's contestants include:

<B>Ashley Angresano</B>, 19, is a 2006 graduate of Seneca Valley High School and is majoring in fashion design at Kent State University. Ashley also works part time as a model. She is the daughter of Paul Angresano of New York and Victoria Angresano of Cranberry Township.<br></br><B>Ashlie Bailey</B>, 17, is a junior at Butler High School. She also works as a cashier at Kmart in Pullman Square. She is the daughter of Jason and Tricia Bailey of Butler.<br></br>

<B>Loree Bell</B>, 19, is a 2005 Butler High School graduate who is studying online to be a dental assistant through Penn Foster College. Loree also works as a teacher's aide in the Butler School District. She is the daughter of Larry Bell and Lisa Bell, both of Butler.<br></br><B>Dyana Branchen</B>, 17, is a senior at Mars High School, where she serves as a varsity cheerleader. Dyana works at Fox's Pizza in Callery and as a hostess at On the Border in Cranberry Township. She is the daughter of Darryl and Terri Branchen of Evans City.<br></br>

<B>Heidi Cunningham</B>, 17, is a senior at Butler High School, where she belongs to the girls ensemble and concert choir. She is the daughter of Terry and Michelle Cunningham of Butler.<br></br><B>Holly Davis</B>, 17, is a junior at Knoch High School, where she is a high honors student and a member of Future Farmers of America. Holly also works part time at Davis Machine in Saxonburg. She is the daughter of Shawn and Gretchen Davis of Butler.<br></br>

<B>Alyssa Dugan</B>, 17, is a senior at Butler High School, where she is a College Tech Prep Honor Roll student and a member of the marching band and softball team. She also works as a sales associate at Target. Alyssa is the daughter of Chris Dugan of Harrisburg and Sheri Dugan of Butler.<br></br><B>Crystal Hays</B>, 18, is a 2006 graduate of Butler High School and a freshman at Butler County Community College. Crystal also takes correspondence courses in art. She is the daughter of Rodney and Lisa Hays of Chicora.<br></br>

<B>Javelyn Hollefreund</B>, 17, is a Butler High School junior and a student in the health assistant program at the Butler County Vocational Technical Institute. She also works as a hostess at Serventi's restaurant in Butler. She is the daughter of Tom and Debi Hollefreund of Butler.<br></br><B>Jo Marie Rankin</B>, 20, is a 2005 graduate of Butler High School and is a dean's list student at Slippery Rock University. She is the daughter of Gary and Sheila Rankin of Butler.<br></br>

<B>Ashley Roe</B>, 17, is a junior at Seneca Valley High School, where she is an honor student and a member of the Pom-Pon squad. She also volunteers at The Woodlands Foundation in Wexford. Ashley is the daughter of Doug and Christine Roe of Zelienople.<br></br><B>Kristy Weber</B>, 17, is a senior at Butler High School, where she is a member of the chorus, vice president of the Latin club and a historian of Butler Youth and Government. Kristy's parents are Eric and Sandy Kirby of Butler.<br></br>

<B>Cassandra Yeager</B>, 20, is a 2005 Laurel High School graduate and a sophomore at Edinboro University, where she is on the dean's list. Cassandra is also a student at the Kane Modeling School. She works part time as a model and as a lifeguard at Rose Point Park. She is the daughter of Fred and Debby Yeager of New Castle.

Ashley Angresano, Ashlie Bailey

Loree Bell, Dyana Branchen

Heidi Cunningham, Holly Davis

Alyssa Dugan, Crystal Hays

Javelyn Hollefreun, Jo Marie Rankin

Ashley Roe, Kristy Weber

Cassandra Yeager