BATON ROUGE, La. — A Cranberry Township resident will vie for the crown and roses in the 2014 Miss USA Competition televised at 8 p.m. Sunday on NBC.

Valerie Gatto, 24, is Miss Pennsylvania. The North Hills High School graduate moved to Cranberry about a year ago.

“I hope to bring the title back to the great state of Pennsylvania, and my hometown of Pittsburgh, and my new town of Cranberry Township,” Gatto said Monday during a break from rehearsal at the Baton Rouge River Center in Louisiana, where the pageant will be televised live.

Gatto said she competed for the title of Miss Pennsylvania in 2012 after graduating from the University of Pittsburgh, but lost. Another attempt in December 2013, when the pageant was at the Hyatt Regency Hotel near the Pittsburgh International Airport, proved successful.

She said while preparation for major pageants is important, no personal trainer or runway coach can create Miss USA.

“No one can teach you how to be yourself,” Gatto said. “I believe it's your personality and experiences. No one can mold you into this perfect person.”

Gatto said if she takes the long, tearful walk at the end of the show Sunday night, she will use her Miss USA status to empower and educate people.

“I believe that as Miss USA, you have the ability to reach out to many people for a great cause and be a role model,” Gatto said.

As the product of a violent rape, which left her never knowing her father's identity, Gatto said she is living proof anyone can turn a negative into a positive if they are willing to work hard and stay optimistic.

She said her mother and grandparents raised her to believe she could be or do anything she set her mind to.

“They put their heart and soul into everything they did for me,” Gatto said.

She said she uses the dark origin of her existence to enlighten the public about rape prevention, what to do if it happens to preserve evidence, how to report it and how to get support.

Gatto is frustrated that 97 percent of rapists never spend a day in jail, and she wants to lower that number.

“I hope to raise awareness,” Gatto said.

The cheerful, outgoing young woman said the situation has allowed her to raise the issue in a unique and helpful way. She does not look at her situation as adversity she had to overcome.

“Your circumstances don't define your life,” she said.

Regarding Sunday night's elaborate show, Gatto said she and the other 50 contestants will compete in the interview, evening gown and swimsuit categories. She said pageant organizers also will offer many behind-the-scenes tidbits in the broadcast, so viewers can get a glimpse inside the production and how it is put together.

Gatto is enjoying Cajun country.

“I'm having a great time, and they're excited for us to be here,” she said. “It's a great experience.”

Fans can help Gatto attain the title through Twitter, by tweeting #SAVETHEQUEEN# plus the keyword provided on-screen during the live show Sunday night.

Cranberry Manager Jerry Andree said Tuesday he has met Gatto, and he said she has a legitimate shot at taking the big tiara.

“I'm always excited to see a township resident excel in their passion,” Andree said. “She is a great representative for Cranberry and everything we stand for.”

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