Andina stands out among the more than 30 young women vying to be the next Miss Indonesia -- not because she is any more beautiful than the others but she is the only one wearing a traditional "jilbab" Muslim headscarf.
"I'll prove that with my jilbab I can win," said Andina, 18, quoted by the state Antara news agency.
Indonesia is the world's largest Muslim nation but most people follow a moderate strain of the religion and only a minority of women cover their heads.
Andina, who prefers to be known as Dina, is from western Indonesia's staunchly Islamic province of Aceh, where jilbabs are more common.
Despite her determination, she said she was surprised to be picked.
"I just did it for fun, and what do you know? I got accepted," said Andina, whose hobbies are swimming and painting.
"I'm nervous and afraid," the high school student told AFP Thursday as she and other candidates talked about the upcoming competition and posed for photos in traditional dress.
The judges said they have to look at Andina a little differently from the other finalists. Instead of assessing the beauty of her hair, they will assess how she arranges her jilbab, Antara said.
Putri Kuswisnuwardhani, chairwoman of the Miss Indonesia Foundation, said brains, beauty and behaviour would all be under scrutiny at the August 6 final.
Kuswisnuwardhani was quoted as saying she dreams of the day when conservative public sentiment will change to allow Miss Indonesia to contest the Miss Universe title.
"There is no prohibition from the government but the impact of it for the people of Indonesia until now still has to be considered," she said.