Haley Marsh, 15, from Fuquay-Varina, practices her competitive dance piece at Center Stage School of Performing Arts in Garner as Christian Reed, 14, right, waits her turn. The two young women are preparing for the talent portion of the third annual Garner and Wake County Outstanding Teen Pageant on Nov. 3-4.

In addition to taking a variety of dance classes several times a week, Haley and Christian need to prepare for other requirements of the pageant as well as attend high school. They must develop a social platform and present a speech as well as prepare for the modeling segment of the pageant. There are costumes and outfits to coordinate, speeches to rehearse, community service to perform and, of course, dance routines to rehearse.

For Haley, these preparations are the most difficult aspect of competing in pageants while Christian cites the interview as her challenge. When asked what they have learned from taking part in pageants, Haley says, "It's a really good experience because you get interview skills and I actually got an internship because of my interview skills through pageants and it's a good way to show off your talents and overall who you are. It's a way to feel good about yourself."