Eight young women, dressed in bright red tops and black pants, hustled around a dressing room cluttered with sparkling gowns, high-heels, curling irons, jewelry, lotion and lipstick.

It was less than 30 minutes to showtime Saturday evening, and the contestants for the 2008 Miss Lexington Scholarship Pageant were ready for their chance to battle it out for the crown, scholarships and the opportunity to compete in the Miss Kentucky competition this summer.

It is no secret that physical appearance plays an important role in winning a pageant, said the 2008 winner, Dana Elliott, but many do not see what lies beneath the makeup, the hairspray and the handy “butt glue,” used to hold the swimsuit in place and avoid any embarrassing slips.