Sequins, spotlights and sparkling smiles. It is the stuff that makes up many little girls’ dreams, and for two lucky contestants, those dreams are about to come true.

The 2008 Miss South Carolina and Miss South Carolina Teen pageants will take place July 1-3 and July 5 at the Spartanburg Memorial Auditorium in Spartanburg. The pageants will involve a total of 92 contestants from across the state competing for scholarships and the chance to represent South Carolina in the Miss America and Miss Teen America pageants.

Several contestants from the area will be competing in the pageants. Appearing in the Miss South Carolina competition will be Miss Anderson, Amber Finley; Miss Clemson, Halie Johnson; Miss Easley, Ambra Yarbrough; Miss Liberty, Karin Von Kaene; Miss Pickens County, Sarah Yates; and Miss Powdersville, Heather Peele.

Appearing in the teen pageant will be Miss Clemson Teen, Ashleigh DeAnn Williams; Miss Easley Teen, Amanda Danielle Parker; Miss Pickens County Teen, Leslie Spearman; Miss Tri-County Teen, Luci “Melle” Morgan; and Miss Upstate Teen, Taylor Hanna Fitch.

At stake is a $30,000 scholarship to be used for education for the Miss South Carolina contestants and a $5,000 savings bond for the teen contestants.

Finley, a lifelong Anderson resident, said she feels like she is trying to complete God’s plan for her by returning to the pageant stage.

“It means so much to represent my community,” she said. “I’m grateful for this opportunity, and I’m so glad Anderson has embraced me so much.”

Finley first competed in the Miss Anderson pageant as a sophomore at Clemson University. Now 24 and a third-grade teacher at Starr Elementary School, Finley said if she were to win the Miss South Carolina title, she would use her reign to promote The Children’s Miracle Network.

While in college, Finley began an annual dance marathon at Clemson. Now in its third year, the event has earned more than $50,000 for The Children’s Miracle Network.

Finley is also working on securing a grant to provide car seat vouchers for low-income families.

Fitch, 17, another lifelong Anderson resident, said competing in pageants has helped her learn how to speak in public and feel more comfortable with herself.

“It’s an opportunity like you wouldn’t believe,” she said. “I’ve learned so much about myself.”

Fitch said her role as Miss Upstate Teen has taught her how to be a leader and example for young girls.

Should she win Miss South Carolina Teen, Fitch, who has worked with children with disabilities since she was a young girl, said she would focus her reign on her platform “Overcoming Physical Challenges: Heart, Mind, and Hand.”

“I’ve seen the discrepancy between so-called ‘normal’ kids and kids with disabilities,” Fitch said. “I want to try to bridge that divide in some way.”

For her, the chance to be Miss South Carolina Teen means the opportunity to bring her platform to a larger audience.

“I can go all over South Carolina and be able to speak and share my platform all over the state,” she said.

Fitch recently was the first recipient of the Miss America Presidential Achievement Award.

Aside from pageant competitions, Fitch also earned a fourth-place award this summer the social and behavioral sciences category at the Intel International Science and Engineering Fair. After high school, she said she hopes to attend medical school at Duke University.The pageant isn’t all glitz and glamour. The participants also must compete in preliminary phases during the week leading up to the finals July 5. Phases include evening gown, talent and answering an on-stage question. The Miss South Carolina contestants must also compete in the swimsuit phase while the teen participants face off in sportswear.

These preliminary phases will take place July 1-3 at 2 p.m. for the teen contestants and at 8 p.m. for the Miss South Carolina contestants.

Participants also must appear before a panel of five judges to face eight to 10 minutes of questioning. Topics covered could include world affairs, politics, religion, families, or the girls’ future plans according to Jan Scalisi, media director for the Miss South Carolina pageant.

“We can be pretty tough about asking them,” said Scalisi.

Contestants also must demonstrate a “top-quality talent” according to Scalisi. Talents include singing, playing a musical instrument and gymnastics.

“They have a huge variety of talents, and some of these talents will just knock your socks off,” Scalisi said.

Finley and Fitch both plan to perform dance routines. Finley will execute a lyrical routine, while Fitch will perform a jazz number.

The teen finals are set to begin at 2 p.m. July 5 and will end with the announcement of the top five contestants. The winner will be announced at 8 p.m. at the start of the Miss South Carolina finals.

Tickets to the pageant are available at the Spartanburg Memorial Auditorium box office, ticketmaster.com or any Ticketmaster outlet.

A full dress rehearsal for both pageants is scheduled to take place at the auditorium Monday starting at 7 p.m. The rehearsal is open to the public for a $5 per person fee at the door.

The last Miss South Carolina to win the Miss America title was Kimberly Aiken, now Kim Aiken Cottingham, who won the crown in 1991 at the age of 18.