With 50 percent of her score coming from the interview portion of the pageant, Lindsay Garrick is brushing up on current events and any other subject that might trip her up.

"I watch the news and get information from my mom," said Lindsay, a rising junior at North Augusta High School who will compete in the Little Miss-Teen Miss South Carolina Pageant beginning Tuesday in Hartsville.

She also has practiced with mock interviews involving her parents and friends.

Lindsay started competing in pageants three years ago and was crowned Miss Teen North Augusta, making her eligible for the state title.

Her other titles include Junior Teen Miss Augusta and Miss Peach Blossom.

She got involved in pageants through her friends. She said she continues to do them because she enjoys being on stage and modeling.

Participating in pageants has increased her self-confidence and made her more comfortable when speaking in public, she said.

"I had to give a speech as secretary of the junior class," and the pageant experiences eased her fears, she said.

In addition to being the recently elected junior class secretary, Lindsay is involved in other school activities. She is a varsity cheerleader, has played volleyball on the junior varsity team, writes for the school newspaper (The Yellow Jacket) and was a member of Sophomore Advisory.

Outside school, she volunteers with the annual Spooky to Be Hungry food drive and teaches a class of third-graders at TrueNorth Church.

Lindsay said she plans to continue in pageants and would like to participate in some that lead to national titles.

Reach Charmain Z. Brackett at czbrackett@hotmail.com.