IT was only 12 months ago that Patti Fawcett took stand-up comedy more seriously.
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Now the Bendigo South East College year 10 student will compete in the national final of the Melbourne International Comedy Festival Class Clowns competition.
In the lead-up she has honed her skills with the help of comedians such as Sammy J and Geraldine Hickey.
Their feedback has helped her feel more prepared to make people laugh than ever.
"Before each round we had a workshop and they worked through our set with us," she said.
"It's so helpful. How many stand-up comedians do you know that do it as a profession?
"It's generally not something you have workshops on at school. Careers guidance counsellors never say you should be doing (comedy)."
One of the big things Patti has learned has been building a proper comedy set as opposed to using too much improv in her routine.
"If you've got a structured set you know works, you can still do stuff with improv," she said.
"If your improv is working you can keep going or you go back to your jokes you know will work."
Before turning to stand-up comedy, Patti took part in drama classes and is a member of BSE Academy of Creative Arts.
"I have loved comedy in general for years and done drama but I wrote couple of funny songs and was told by one of my teachers to enter class clowns," she said.
"Last year I won the regionals and competed at state but this year I was given a wild card entry and won the state competition."
In preparation for the national competition, has been testing some jokes out on her friends and teachers during class and at lunch.
"I do some things at lunch times and test jokes in class," she said. "At the moment it's a bit political so i have stuff on climate change about how people don't believe it and making fun of the politicians who don't believe in it. I also do some stuff with my family as well."
The final of the Melbourne International Comedy Festival Class Clowns will take place at the Melbourne Town Hall on Friday, March 29.