Talofa Lava...
and Welcome to the Miss Samoa Pageant 2009!
It is indeed a great pleasure for me to welcome you all to this special event where we come together to celebrate and recognize the true potential of our young women. “Humility, Elegance, and Purity…Celebrating the Tamaitai Samoa” is our theme for this year. It truly defines the women of our culture and the importance they have in our society today.
My life has truly been blessed as I’ve been living in Samoa this past year with the honoured title of Miss Samoa. I’ve grown immensely and have experienced so many things that have helped to strengthen my character and increase my love and longing to serve others more. Its as if I’ve been living a dream these past months because of the joy I’ve felt while being here and I thank you all for making it such an enjoyable and memorable experience for me. I know my Heavenly Father has made all of this possible for me for a reason and to him I am grateful, as well as to my Parents, Family and friends for the sacrifices they’ve made and their never-ending love and support.
I also would like to thank my original sponsors Serenicare Inc. and the Miss Samoa USA committee for their huge support, as well as to the Samoan Communities throughout the USA. If it weren’t for their belief and faith in me I wouldn’t be where I am today. I especially thank the Samoa Tourism Authority as they’ve been my 2nd family this past year for welcoming me with open arms and helping me through everything. I pray God will bless each one of them with continued success in their future endeavors.
Thank you to SamoaTel, Mena, Janets, Salon Sheree and all other supporting sponsors for your continuous support in our pageants annually. It was because of you that my job was more easy.
To my 9 sisters who are competing I applaud you for your courageousness and desire to serve Samoa. We are all so proud of you and know each of you truly emulate what our theme stands for.
To my successor, my advice to you: “just smile”. May God bless you with strength, humility, patience and love throughout your journey this year. Enjoy every minute of it…I know you’ll do great.
Lastly, thank you Samoa. You truly are the greatest place of all. Your natural beauty, your sweet hospitality, and smiles of gold. Thank you for your friendship and love, I’ve been so lucky to call you home and will never forget my precious time with you. May God forever keep you in his care.
Faafetai tele lava,
Soifua ma Ia Manuia
Gwendolyn P. Tuaitanu