Many beauty queen hopefuls, spend the weeks before the pageant preparing and hop on stage when the big day comes. For some pageant girls, however, the race to the crown doesn’t begin or end — it’s a way of life.

Dani Delso, University College freshman and a competitor in the 2008 Miss OU Pageant, said pageantry is a key ingredient in her life — one that has been ingrained in her since she was a little girl.

“My family directed the Miss Broken Arrow pageant growing up, so I’ve been around pageants almost all of my life,” Delso said.

After spending her childhood watching young women transformed into title-holders, Delso began for competing for herself at the age of 15 and hasn’t stopped living the pageantry lifestyle since.

Delso said preparing for pageant day is more intense than most people would suspect. On top of looking flawless at all times, a beauty queen hopeful must display poise, brains and talent.

In the Miss America pageant system, girls compete in interview, answer an on stage question, swim wear, evening wear and talent categories.

Delso said preparing for pageant season has became a semi-easy task that keeps her well-rounded.

“For interview, I talk to my grandpa who keeps me up to date,” she said. “For swimsuit, the Huff is very convenient and is a great way to get away from studying.”

Delso said she spends a lot of time researching childhood obesity, which is her platform for the Miss OU Pageant. She said she also takes time to brush up on her talent of 10 years, clogging.

Like many Oklahoma pageant girls, Delso has her evening wear designed by Jonathan Kane, a former “Project Runway” contestant, and has a “red coat,” or pageant assistant, at her side throughout the show.

Kimberly Hulsey, the reigning Miss OU, said pageantry has been very rewarding and helped pay for almost 70 percent of her college expenses, but is an endeavor that takes much commitment and endurance.

“Preparing ... is a very long process,” Hulsey said. “You have to be dedicated.”

Hulsey said she works out for two hours at the gym each day during pageant season. She said she also makes it a priority to spend a lot of time watching the news and always perfects her dance routine before going on stage.

“For me, since I have been in the organization for so long, pageant days are just normal days,” she said.

Josh Hammers, the Miss OU Pageant director, said at the college level, a pageant contestant has to be able to juggle many obligations.

“For a girl in the Miss OU Pageant, pageant day is especially busy,” Hammers said. “Not only are the girls doing the interview and pageant but they are also going to class. A girl has to be disciplined and dedicated and organized, it takes a lot of time to practice talent, know the news and be physically and mentally prepared for a pageant.”