ASHLAND — Parking at her antique dressing table, I daubed-on Mamaw’s radiantly fuchsia lipstick, pinched my cheeks for a prim and proper tinge, doused the very concentrated Interlude eau de toilette across my wrists, and slipped on her patent platforms in a rush.

All ready. Ken would soon show up in black bow tie and tails, wrist corsage in hand, ready to promenade with this little Barbie.

Grandma grinned and wagged her finger. “Remember, pretty is as pretty does.”

It’s easier said than done, especially at high school dance time when cosmetic appearances mean everything.

Near the three-way mirror at downtown Delmar’s, a salesgirl sucked me into an unbendable, beaded frock, battling a zipper against too many late-night runs to the Taco Bell border.

Prom court, I ain’t.

It’s a nerve-racking time for debutantes. Updos, nail tips, and spray tans are called for. Physical flawlessness means a date with the cutest, most popular boy.

In the midst of posh, perfect prettifying, prom-bound daughters should live by the basic lesson my grandmother taught — we’re beautiful from the inside, out.

Try to be a bit more like Miss Congeniality.

I know a teen living just like that. That’s why I’m singing her praises this morning — and asking for your help, too.

Kathryn Robinson is a junior at Russell High. I’ve known her since she was 7 months old, a little princess bobbing with oversized floaties in the “Mommy and Me” swimming class at the Ashland Area YMCA pool.

A bashful baby, she budded into a prima ballerina with the Ashland Youth Ballet, training hard, en pointe at Ashland Regional Dance Theatre.

She just turned over her crown as last year’s Miss Ashland’s Area Outstanding Teen, but was soon heralded royalty as the 2011 Miss Monticello’s Outstanding Teen. She’ll compete in the state pageant in June, sounding off with her platform, “The No Phone Zone,” urging no texting while driving.

Guess you might say she’s the girl in class we all wished to be — bright; artistic; well-liked; designer clothes; cool car; football player boyfriend.

She has it all —looks, brains, tiara, the whole enchilada — but Kathryn is so much more.

There’s no snootiness or  

coldness. She speaks to everyone in her school hallways, doesn’t matter your clique or social order. She never judges a book by its cover. In her eyes, we are all superstars.

Recently the Russell girl entered a Facebook contest for Jovani Fashions, a trendy prom dress name brand. The winner receives a $15,000 modeling contract.

Not expecting much, moments before the contest closed, the 16-year-old hurriedly uploaded an untouched snapshot taken at her house before heading out to winter formal with her funny valentine, Miles Mussetter.

Competing against a vast sea of professional, glamorous supermodel, very-edited, air-brushed headshots, humble Kathryn frankly didn’t expect much or to go far — until she was watching her beau, Miles play a high school tennis match the next day.

Sitting on the bleachers, checking messages on her cell, she got word via e-mail, announcing she was one of 100 semifinalists chosen by Jovani to advance.

“It was very hard refraining from screaming during the match, but I quickly began to tell almost everyone that was there,” she giggled. “And that’s what I’ve been trying to do since then, just get the word out.”

I am, too. I can’t think of a better pick to represent girls across the USA, chicks getting all gussied-up for springtime galas.

You see, Kathryn isn’t just a pretty face. She’s works hard in smart school academic clubs; is a member of the gifted and talented program; serves as secretary of her class in student government; and benefits “Focus on Leadership” — an optimistic group of teens bringing positive change to the Tri-State.

She recently heard an area social service organization was in acute need of blankets. Within a few days, her family’s garage was chock full of quilts to keep the needy warm. She went to school and asked everyone she crossed in the corridors for help on her mission.

Now that’s what I call a true prom queen.

I asked her mom and dad, Deanna and Mike Robinson, what makes Kathryn so special.

“When I look at her, I always ask how I ever deserved her,” said Mrs. Robinson. “She meets new friends wherever she goes and is a devoted friend. She brings energy and life to any situation. She’s compassionate and generous and always finds time to help volunteer throughout the community.”

Both Ashland accountants, her parents know how to mark and register real worth …

“She has given us countless moments of joy watching her grow from a shy little girl to the outgoing, confident young lady she is today,” her father said. “We never have to worry about her when she’s away during the summers at various ballet schools, as she always makes friends wherever she goes — friends which she continues to keep in contact with through the years.

“We are proud of her in so many ways, her passion for dance, her choices in her friends, how much effort she puts into everything she does,” Mr. Robinson continued. “But, most of all, the kindness of her heart — I don’t believe this can be taught; it’s part of what you are. We’ve seen this in so many ways. … This is what we are most proud of.”

She is someone our Ashland should support in this online prom girl competition.

Please “like” the Jovani Fashions page on Facebook. Once there, look for Kathryn Anne Robinson’s name-labeled photo posted among the competitors. The dark-haired doll is smiling brightly in a lovely red ball gown. Vote by clicking her photo and “liking” it, with a thumbs-up.

“Whoever gets the most Facebook ‘likes’ wins, and there are some girls who are definitely racking up the votes, so it’s so important that everyone takes, well, just a minute, to go vote,” she said.

It’s easy and worth it. Because teens like to put on airs and turn up noses. Not Kathryn. Like my grandma reminded, we should teach youngsters that beauty’s only skin deep.

That means Kathryn must have pretty thick skin.