CHRIS CODUTO/Arizona Daily Wildcat UA sophomore Sarah Harvey is presented with the Miss Tucson 2003 crown by Miss Tucson 2002, Jerusha Rubi, Saturday night after winning the pageant at Flowing Wells High School.

Beneath yards of taffeta and folds of satin, with their tummies tucked, shoulders back and white smiles beaming through lacquered lips, the Miss Tucson/Miss Pima County Scholarship Pageant contestants prepared for their one chance to go to the Miss Arizona Pageant.

Backstage before the pageant, the eight competing women stood before mirrors perfecting their images and passing the time before they went on stage.

At the end of the night, four of the six UA women competing left with awards in tow, two with crowns pinned atop their heads.

Sarah Harvey, 21, a dance sophomore, was crowned Miss Tucson, winning a $1,250 cash scholarship to further her education.

Harvey also received the Quality of Life Award, a $200 scholarship sponsored by Wells Fargo. She also won the overall Talent Award, a $500 scholarship sponsored by Ventana Medical Systems.

"I'm so overwhelmed," Harvey said. "It could have gone either way, but, overall, I felt that I did really well."

Jaclyn Cline, 20, a biology sophomore, was crowned Miss Pima County, and awarded a $1,250 scholarship.

Harvey and Cline each also received an evening gown and wardrobe allowance for the Miss Arizona Pageant, a $125 Pima Community College voucher, a $50 gift certificate to Metropolis Salon, an official Miss America pin and crown and a paid trip to the Miss Arizona Pageant 2003.

The pageant began amid eager anticipation. As the lights in the auditorium dimmed, the velvet curtains moved aside to reveal the contenders, onstage for a musical rendition of "All That Jazz," sung by the current Miss Tucson, Jerusha Rubi, a theatre arts junior.

Initial impressions were cast as the women performed a modified dance on chairs before heading offstage to change into swimsuits for the lifestyle and fitness portion of the pageant.

"It's a lot of work to make sure that you're not falling out of your dress or looking weird in your bathing suit," said Pima Community College student Emily Arnold.

A Miss America contender needs to be in top physical condition, as Miss America travels 20,000 miles a month ÷ the equivalent of commuting to El Paso daily for work, according to Miss Arizona 2002 Laura Lawless.

Displaying talents such as an ancient Chinese ribbon dance, baton twirling and dancing to the rhythm of a spoken poem, the talent competition was stiff as contestants took a break to change into their evening wear.

As judges tallied the scores, Rubi delivered her farewell speech.

"The memories made this last year will certainly last a lifetime," Rubi said, smiling through tears. "I got involved because I love the women who are involved, and that is why I keep coming back."

The first and second runners-up in the pageant, Diana Jung, a journalism senior, and Courtney Celia, a theatre arts freshman, received a $500 and a $250 cash scholarship, respectively.

"I just want(ed) to go out there and have a good time and show the judges who I am," Jung said. "Even if you lose it builds character."

Remaining contestants were awarded $50 cash scholarships and $25 gift certificates to Metropolis Salon.