Earlier we told you about one group of college students whose work is far from over after finals -- the Seattle Pacific University Women's Basketball Team. Here's another co-ed who's got plenty to be nervous about after her two finals next week -- Michelle Font, a.k.a. Miss Washington USA.

Michelle Font, Miss Washington USA 2008

"I've worked really hard to be there and I don't want to think about what I could possibly do wrong, but think of everything I can do right," Font said in a phone interview this morning. "I guess I could just pretend that the camera doesn't televise throughout the country." On March 26 the 26-year-old University of Washington engineering student flies to Las Vegas to compete in the world famous Miss USA Pageant, broadcast live on NBC April 11.

But first, Font must survive UW's finals week. That's an electrical engineering exam Monday and a paper-making operations final Wednesday, "at 8:30 a.m.," she said.

"I just want to say this is for all my nerds out there," Font said about Miss USA. "I hope I make them proud." The only engineer at the pageant, she took a leave of absence from her job at Boeing in January and initially thought she'd major in math.

Engineer she may be. Still, it's hard to apply the label "nerd" to a salsa-dancing, yoga-loving, drop-dead gorgeous Latina beauty queen. Not to mention her workout habits. Mondays, Wednesdays and Fridays have been all school, but to be in top shape for that all important swimsuit portion, Font sees a trainer Tuesdays and Thursdays and spends hours at L.A. Fitness locations as far north as Mill Creek and as far south as Renton doing cardio and abdominal exercises.

Also -- how many nerds do you know who get regular facials at Gene Juarez?

Font is no stranger to beauty contests, but she's no lifelong pageant princess, either (read more on her bio and the one from the Miss Washington USA page). This year could mark the fortieth year Miss Washington hasn't won Miss USA. Font intends to do all she can to change that.

"I have this opportunity that almost nobody in the nation gets." she said. "Since I was little I always watched every pageant that's ever been on TV. I actually saw them as untouchable, something that was – some superpower women, I had no idea that I could be up there with them. It really is encouraging to know you don't have to have any special powers, you just have to be able to do it."

Font will travel to Las Vegas on her own and meet up with Miss Idaho, her roommate for the pageant. Font's parents arrive April 5, the day of the preliminary competition to select the top 15 finalists. Her sister, her aunt, her cousin, and relatives from Puerto Rico, Miami, Texas and Chicago – "even family I've never met is going!" Font said – will follow.

But one thing at a time. She still has to pick out a gift that represents Washington to give to the other girls. Still has to fly to Puerto Rico March 19 to pick up her dress. Still has to train, to model, to practice. And then, of course, there's finals.

As long as she has fun, works hard, avoids unnecessary drama and remembers that no matter what, there is life outside the Miss USA Pageant, she'll be fine.

"I will be prepared. Absolutely," Font said, and laughed. "I have no choice."

Update: This post has changed to correct Miss Washington USA's official title.