BUTLER TWP — A field of 22 young women will compete June 2 for the title of Distinguished Young Woman of Butler County. The annual scholarship program had been known as Butler County Junior Miss. The competition is set for 7 p.m. at Succop Theater on the Butler County Community College campus, 107 College Drive.

More than $12,000 in scholarship awards will be given out, according to Barbara Brandon, the chairwoman of the event. The scholarships will go directly to the college or university the award-winners will be attending following their graduation from high school in 2013.

Scholarships will be awarded to the top three contestants based on interviews, scholastic achievements, talent, fitness and self expression.

In addition to winning a scholarship, the county winner will proceed to the state event in August in Johnstown. The state winner will advance to the national pageant in Mobile, Ala., in June 2013.

“The Distinguished Young Woman is the largest scholarship program in the United States for senior high school women,” said Brandon.

Emily Donato, the 2012 Distinguished Young Woman of Butler County, won more than $16,000 in scholarship awards at the local and state level. She will be graduating June 6 from Butler High School. She plans to attend the College of Wooster in Ohio.

Following are this year's contestants:

Amy Powell Achenbach is the daughter of Keith Achenbach of Butler and Laurie Powell of Butler. She attends Butler High School where she is a member of the National Honor Society and has participated in Mock Trial and high school musicals and plays. She will do a vocal performance to the song “Let Me Be Your Star” from the TV show “Smash.”

Stacy Renee Arner is the daughter of Ron and June Arner of Valencia. She attends Mars High School where she is a member of the National Honor Society and the German Club and is featured twirler for the high school marching band. She will do a dance twirl performance to “Walking on Sunshine” by Katrina and the Waves.

Rebecca Kathleen Arturo is the daughter of Ron and Cindy Arturo of Butler. She attends Butler High School where she is a member of the National Honor Society and participates in Mock Trial and track and field. Her talent presentation will be a gymnastic performance to “Marche Du Toreador” by the Slovak Philharmonic Orchestra from Floor Express Magic.

Samantha Elizabeth Barnhart is the daughter of Roger and Janice Barnhart of Butler. She attends Butler High School where she is a trumpet player and vocalist with the Tornado Big Band, a first-place winner of the Butler American Legion Writing Contest and a member of the model United Nations, both at Butler High and at the University of Pittsburgh and Duquesne University. She will sing “Send in the Clowns” from the Broadway musical “A Little Night Music.”

Abigal Marie Benninger is the daughter of Douglas and Laura Benninger of Butler. She attends Slippery Rock High School where she is a member of the National Honor Society and the Slippery Rock High School Band Color Guard, and she serves as a candy striper at Butler Memorial Hospital. She will perform a lyrical dance to “Suggestions” by the Orelia Has Orchestra.

Amelia Ann Bishop is the daughter of Scott and Lori Bishop of Butler. She attends Butler High School where she is a member of the National Honor Society, the Lehigh University Pennsylvania Global Entrepreneurship Summer Program and where she won “Best Attorney” award in Mock Trial. She will give a point ballet performance to “Anna's Theme” from the movie “The Red Violin.”

Alexis Cara Brockway is the daughter of Larry and Tracy Brockway of Cranberry Township. She attends Seneca Valley High School where she is a member of the National Honor Society (Top 2% of class), University of Pittsburgh Health Scholars Academy and the Westinghouse Science Honors Institute. For her performance, she will speed paint to “Chasing the Sun” by The Wanted.

Samantha Jean Eckstein is the daughter of Brian and Connie Eckstein of Mars. She attends Mars High School where she is a member of the National Honor Society and is a public speaking II qualifier for the Future Business Leaders of America. She volunteers at St. Kilian Church. She will perform an Irish Dance to the set Planxty Drury (Speed 70) by Gerry Conlon and Seamus O'Sullivan.

Dezera Lai La Firouzi is the daughter of Houman and Samantha Firouzi of Renfrew. She attends Knoch High School where she is a member of student council, class cabinet and the Knochette dance and drill team. She will do a jazz dance performance to “Alex on the Spot” from the movie “Madagascar.”

Jennifer Elizabeth Harris is the daughter of David and Mary Harris of Renfrew. She attends Butler High School where she plays violin and is a member of the National Junior Honor Society and the JAL District Youth Group. She will perform on the violin to “Concertino in Ungarischer Weise” by J. Rieding.

Michaela Lynn Henry is the daughter of Jennifer Farmerie of Harmony and James Henry of Cranberry Township. She attends Lincoln Park Performing Arts Charter School where she is a member of the National Honor Society and the National Dance Society and dances at the Star Styled Dance Center. She will perform a lyrical jazz dance to “Rolling in the Deep” by Adele.

Amanda Marie Mock is the daughter of John and Marie Matthews of Moniteau. She attends Moniteau High School where she is a member of the cross country team, the North Washington Flames and Flickers and the Academic Decathlon and Academic Sports League. She will baton twirl to “Use Somebody” by 2 Cellos.

Marie Elena Noel is the daughter of Robert Noel of Butler and Elena Flores-Noel of Butler. She attends Butler High School where she is a member of the National Honor Society (#1 in junior class) and the Gifted Program, as well as being president of the Spanish Club. She will perform a hip hop dance to “Blackout” by Breathe Carolina.

Alexandra Nicole Pacinda is the daughter of George and Barbara Pacinda of Cranberry Township. She attends Seneca Valley High School where she is a member of the National Honor Society, the Tri-M Music Society and the girls tennis team. She will do a musical theater tap and vocal performance to “Good Morning” from the Broadway musical “Singing in the Rain.”

Dana Rae Palumbo is the daughter of Virgil and Bernadette Palumbo of Cranberry Township. She attends Seneca Valley High School where she is a member of the National Honor Society, the Seneca Valley Madrigals and the varsity diving team. She will do a vocal performance to “You'll Never Walk Alone” from the Broadway musical “Carousel.”

Olivia Deborah Pascazi is the daughter of Thomas Pascazi of Butler and Deborah Pascazi of Herman. She attends Butler High School where she is a member of the National Honor Society and thespian and all-school musicals and is a trumpet soloist with the Golden Tornado Marching Band. She will do a vocal and trumpet performance to “Georgia on My Mind” by Stuart Garrell and Hoagy Carmichael.

Elizabeth Bernadette Posney is the daughter of David and Lois Posney of Sarver. She attends Freeport High School where she is a varsity cheerleader, a member of the National Honor Society and participant in the Intel International Science and Engineering Fair. She will perform a jazz dance to “Hollywood Tonight” by Michael Jackson.

Brenna Mae Ritzert is the daughter of Patrick and Denise Ritzert of Chicora. She attends Karns City High School where she is a member of the track team, student council and National Honor Society. She will perform a self-composed poetry slam “What Is Poetry?”

Brittany Lynne Slupe is the daughter of Michael Slupe of Butler and Kristine Slupe of Butler. She attends Butler High School where she is a member of the National Honor Society, National Junior Honor Society and Golden Tornado Marching Band. She will give a violin performance to “Csardas” by V. Monti.

Taryn Marie Testa is the daughter of Dan and Kristen Testa of Cranberry Township. She attends Seneca Valley High School were she is a member of the National Honor Society, Youth and Government and the Newspaper Club. She will give a persuasive speech on “Encouraging the Youth to Be Involved in Politics.”

Jamie Ann Walters is the daughter of Dean and Claudine Walters of Cranberry Township. She attends Seneca Valley High School where she is on the high honor roll and the PMEA State Choir 2012, and she is a sales associate at Old Navy.

She will do a vocal performance to “Astonishing” from the Broadway musical “Little Women.”

Breanna Muriel Wong is the daughter of Earl and Lisa Wong of Renfrew. She attends Butler High School where she is a member of the National Honor Society, the Butler Junior Classic League and is a Young Musician of Note. She will give a piano performance to “Without You” by David Guetta.

<B>WHAT:</B>Distinguished Young Woman of Butler County annual scholarship program<B>WHEN: </B>7 p.m. June 2<B>WHERE:</B>Succop Theater on the Butler County Community College campus, 107 College Drive, Butler Township<B>ADMISSION: </B>$15 for adults and $10 for students, available from the contestants or by calling Debbi Wellner at 724-482-9262. Tickets also will be available at the door.