17 to vie for pageant title

August 31, 2007 Last Updated: August 31, 2007 12:22 PM Community

Event set for Sept. 15 at intermediate high school

The Butler County Junior Miss Scholarship Program will celebrate 46 years Sept. 15 as 17 contestants vie for this year's title.

The event will be at 7 p.m. at the Butler Intermediate High School.

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

In addition to receiving scholarship funds, the Butler County winner will proceed to the state pageant, set for Dec. 1 in Johnstown.

The state winner will advance in June 2008 to the America's Junior Miss Program in Mobile, Ala.

Choreographer and director for the Butler County pageant is Greta Curry. Barbara Brandon is producer and chairperson. Feather Bacher is president of the board of directors.

This year's Butler County contestants are:

• Calley Bridges is the daughter of Thomas and Christine Bridges of Prospect. A student at Slippery Rock High School, she belongs to the National Honor Society and was named in Who's Who Among American High School Students. She also is captain of her school's varsity cross-country team. She will do a vocal performance of "I Dream A Dream" from the musical "Les Miserables." • Elizabeth Burris is the daughter of Rick and Estelle Burris of Saxonburg. She attends Knoch Junior Senior High School, where she is a three-year varsity letter winner in soccer. She also was named in Who's Who Among American High School Students and participates in the Ophelia Project. Elizabeth's talent will include an inspirational speech.

• Stephanie Cicero is the daughter of Stephen and Cecelia Cicero of Butler. She attends Butler High School, where she is treasurer of the student council and a Golden Girl feature twirler. She also participated in the National Association for Music Education 2007 All-Eastern Honors Orchestra. She will do a twirling routine to the 2007 PMEA District Orchestra recording of "Pirates of the Caribbean." • Alexandra "Lexie" Elliott is the daughter of Ken and Chris Elliott of Sarver. She attends Knoch Junior Senior High School, where she is on student council, high honor roll and is a co-captain of the Knochettes. She will dance to the song "Popular" from the musical "Wicked."

• Maura Keasey is the daughter of Ashley and Rosemary Keasey of Butler. She is a student at Butler High School, where she is a member of student council and a co-captain of the Sequinette dance team. Maura also belongs to the National Society of High School Scholars. She will do a tap routine to Michael Auble's "Can't Buy Me Love." • Kristen Kowalik is the daughter of Paul and MaryAnn Kowalik of Butler. She attends Butler High School, where she is a high honor student and a member of the Sequinette dance team. She also is a competitive dancer. Kristen will perform a lyrical dance to "Reflection" by Everlife.

• Sloane Lusk is the daughter of Dawn Lusk of Saxonburg. She attends Knoch Junior Senior High School. She is a member of Family Career and Community Leader of America, Knoch Majorettes and the class cabinet. She will do a baton twirling solo to the song "Ease on Down the Road" from "The Wiz." • Chelsie Markle is the daughter of Jerry and Sandy Markle of Butler. She is a student at Butler High School, where she is on the high honor roll. She also is a member of the National Honor Society and the Sequinettes dance team. Chelsie will do a jazz dance to "It's Oh So Quiet" by Bjork.

• Christine Marty is the daughter of Dr. John and Marion Marty of Sarver. She is a student at Freeport High School, where she is president of the executive student council and participates in mock trial. She also is a member of the National Honor Society. Christine will do a jazz dance to "I Got You." • Elisa Nesbitt is the daughter of Scott and Susan Nesbitt of Butler. She attends Butler High School, where she plays varsity tennis. She also is National Honor Society secretary and a member of the National Society of High School Scholars.

• Skye Sankey is the daughter of Ron and Ronnie Sankey of Butler. She is a student at Butler High School, where she is a two-year letter winner in varsity track. She also is on the high honor roll and a member of the National Society of High School Scholars. Skye will do a tae kwon do and gymnastics presentation. • Brittany Scott is the daughter of Carrie Scott of Butler. She attends Butler High School, participating in marching band and PMEA festivals. Brittany is an Academic Achievement Award winner. She will do an operatic performance of "O mio babbino caro" from the opera "Gianni Schicchi" by Giacomo Puccini.

• Megan Seger is the daughter of Brian and Karen Seger of Butler. She attends Knoch Junior Senior High School, where she has participated in Spanish club, varsity lacrosse and the spring musical. Megan will do a vocal performance of "Stuff Like That There" from the musical "For the Boys." • Britney Vokish is the daughter of Paul and Donna Vokish of Valencia. She is a student at Mars High School, where she belongs to the National Honor Society. Britney also has won a Tribune Review Outstanding Young Citizen Award and a United States Achievement Academy National English Merit Award. She will do a lyrical dance to "Sorry" by Maria Mena.

• Samantha Weston is the daughter of Reid and Pam Weston of Valencia. A student at Mars High School, she belongs to the German club and student class council and was named on the honor roll. She will do a harp performance of "La Gimblette" by Bernard Andres. • Christina Wick is the daughter of Eric and Kimberly Wick of Karns City. She is a student at Karns City High School, where she is drum major in the marching band. She also belongs to the National Honor Society and practices se-jong tae kwon do. Christina will do a vocal performance of "Love in Any Language" by John Mohr and John Mays. • Gina Zidek is the daughter of Thomas and Deborah Zidek of Sarver. She attends Freeport High School, where she is majorette captain of the marching band. She also belongs to the National Honor Society and was named in Who's Who Among American High School Students. Gina will do a jazz dance to "Two Little Girls from Little Rock" from the movie "Gentlemen Prefer Blondes."