[3] She would work with photographer Michael Petry, assisting him with make-up and hairstyling, and was pursuing a career in hospitality and tourism at Trident Technical College prior to her winning Miss South Carolina USA.

[1] Smith's first foray into pageantry came in 2004 while she was a junior in high school, when a local pageant director asked her to participate in Miss Teen Charleston USA, a title she would win.

At the next level, Smith realized she needed to learn more in order to win a state title and took this experience as a stepping stone to her future participation in pageants.

Feeling close to the crown, Smith competed in 2007, this time as Miss Summerville USA, and again finished fourth runner-up.

[3] As the official representative of South Carolina, Smith participated in local events[5] and competed in the 2009 Miss USA pageant, broadcast live from Las Vegas, Nevada on April 19, 2009, where she placed as one of the Top 10 finalists.