Category: News

Miss Samoa Pageant

2 days ago

Talofa lava si o'u atunuu pele Samoa

I'd like to share more of my journey on a more personal level with you all.

Growing up, Samoa was always my home away from home and as a young girl my family and I would travel here every year. In the beginning of last year I had made the decision to permanently move to Samoa. Education being my passion I bought with me the skills and knowledge I had collected over the years through school and University in hopes that I would be able to make a positive difference in at least one person’s life. I started off volunteering at Peace Chapel Primary School, Mulivai Primary and Solosolo, but god had much bigger plans for my purpose in moving to Samoa blessing me with a platform where I am able to serve our beautiful country.

Being apart of the Brown Girls Woke program, is such a humbling experience. Being able to create bonds and provide guidance to our young university students (who I forget are around the same age as me lol) displaying leadership to the youth of Samoa through school programs prompting performing arts, self expression & self love, and also reading programs, but most of all the importance and power education holds and how it will allow doors to open for you with hard work and determination.

A big part of my current roll as Miss Samoa is to promote Samoa through Samoa tourism and being the ambassador of Samoa I feel it is my duty to do all I can reaching audiences far and wide. Growing up in this generation we are so fortunate that we have many different resources available. I encourage you to post as much as possible when you want to be heard. Be loud and don’t let anyone overlook you especially when your message is positive. Don’t allow others to discourage you.
Unfortunately we are also living in a generation where instead of lifting each other up, it is found easier to tare each other down. Despite this I urge all my brothers and sister to rise and not allow this to slow you down from goals you have set yourself. Whatever you may be doing that allows you to spread love and positivity do it with pride and be proud of your achievements.

Personally with my reign I wanted to show people that when you trust in God and work hard at your goals the effect of spreading love and positivity and taking risks and stepping out of your comfort zone, ANYTHING can be possible.
I have been able to meet with young pacific leaders and been able to partner and work on programs that promote relevant issues in our community such as climate change, women empowerment, language and preservation of our Island.
Whether it be walking on a catwalk, dancing on stage to sustain our samoa siva or island style dancing or even walking along the beach front picking up rubbish. I encourage you to share your stories, flood your social media not to boast, but to spark an interest in your audience and provide motivation.
Thanks to my work, organization, committee, family and friends I was so heavily advised the importance of having to post my journey.

In my experience don’ let anyone dictate or define who you are, there will always be those who question you and things may not always end in your favor, but see this as an opportunity to reflect and challenge yourself, help you grow and most of all help you to become a better version of yourself.

Fashion has always been an interest of mine. The way I feel internally I express externally. Bright and strong, there is nothing wrong with wanting to look your best and in the wise words of pastor Samoa Unoi “your mind is a courtroom and there are ears and eyes here to witness.” Express your interpretation of beautiful. To me beauty is more than just a garment of clothing or a pretty face. Beauty comes in all forms, shapes and sizes through intelligence, humility, grace and so much more.

Being the Tausala of Samoa doesn’t consist of only sitting and looking pretty as some may assume, you take it upon yourself to carry a portion of the weight of a whole country and also the weight of your family hoping to do them and everyone proud.

My reason for this post is not only to share my journey, but to share my feelings. As the Miss Samoa Pageant approaches I hope to inspire a young strong Tama’itai Samoa that if she has the same flame burning inside as I do, then I encourage you to come out of your comfort zone and help lead our young generation to make what they feel might be impossible, POSSIBLE.

What an absolute blessing and honor it is to be the Miss Samoa, but what an even bigger blessing through the grace of God I am able to serve my country, my reign may be coming to an end, but my service to my home and commitment to the children and generations to come in Samoa will be eternal. Samoa will forever by my home.

Soifua maia manuia
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