Canberra's Rosa Green is well-aware of the "glamorous side" of the pageant world but hopes months of fund-raising and volunteer work will help equip her for a career as a doctor.
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Rosa, 15, has been gearing up to vy for the title of Miss Teen Galaxy Australia at the pageant's national final on the Gold Coast in March.
A friend encouraged Rosa, of Deakin, to sign up for the pageant last year and she competed in the NSW finals held in December.
She has spent the past three months since volunteering, promoting the pageant and fund-raising for wildlife conservation organisation Australia Zoo Wildlife Warriors.
"I've just been to Queensland three weeks ago and it was amazing to see the work they do.
"I love animals. My mother's a vet so I usually volunteer with her as a junior nurse."
Rosa's juggled charity work with training for rhythmic gymnastics and her studies at St Clare's College in Griffith - her favourite subjects are English, maths and science.
"When I grow up I want to be a doctor, travelling in my mother's footsteps I guess.
"I just love helping people. And when people are sick they're in so much pain."
Rosa said she'd gained a fresh perspective on life and a new sense of gratitude through her work in the community in recent months.
"Before that I never really got into fund-raising or volunteer work, now that's practically all I'm doing.
"It helps you grow so much as a person, it opens your eyes to the world."
While she was aware of the myriad pressures placed on teenage girls when it came to their appearance, Rosa said her pageant experience had boosted her self-confidence.
"It is definitely not just about dressing up. Of course, the pageant has its more glamorous side and it still has judging of formal wear.
"But being in the pageant has helped me love myself more as a person.
"No-one's perfect and you should love your body because it's the only place you've got to live in."
Rosa said she was honoured to be selected for the finals and, with the national crown in her sights, looked forward to continuing with community and charity work.
If she wins the Australian competition, she will travel to the United States to take part in the pageant's global final.
The Miss Galaxy Australia pageant started in 2011 and the first Miss Teen Galaxy Australia was crowned in 2013.
