In pictures: The modern-day beauty contest

On the night of the show, the whole Putnam family turns out to cheer on contestant Katherine (left) - even her father, a Methodist minister (right). He has no problem with the beauty pageants.

"Beauty does not have to be seen as evil," he says.

To prepare for the contest, Katherine says she prays and puts on "worship music".

"You decide yourself that you are going to be positive. You have the power to make it a good thing," she says.