Talofa Lava...
and Welcome to the SamoaTel Miss Samoa Pageant 2010
It is an honour to welcome you to our Beautiful Samoa. Our country is indeed this and more, our islands lush and green, our waters cool and clear, and our seas bursting with exquisite life. Our people are beautiful, filled with pride, honour and love for their families, land and culture.
The Miss Samoa pageant is an excellent avenue for young Samoan tamaitai to truly embrace their country and people and to demonstrate their wonderfully unique culture. This year our theme is Beautiful Samoa. I am happy yet humbled to be a daughter of our beautiful Samoa and I know there are many tamaitai who reflect these feelings. Samoa is our home and to be able to portray Samoa to the world is indeed an honour.
Receiving the "Miss Samoa" title has been an unexpected blessing for me. This year has been a wonderful and fulfilling educational life experience. I have met inspiring people and learned many new things about myself, our people and culture. This year I have had the pleasure in being involved with different projects, community activities and sporting events. I am so proud of what our country has achieved this year. It has really shown that although Samoa has been through many hardships in the last year we are a people of tenacity, insistent in overcoming our plights and moving forward with optimism and determination.
To my Family I love you so much. You have helped me in everything, made sacrifices and have been my foundation throughout this year. My friends, you were always there to keep me laughing and in check with reality. I love you all.
I would like to thank the Samoa Tourism Authority Family, it has been an enjoyable and eventful year and I thank you for your commitment towards my role and meeting the expectations of being Miss Samoa. I have learnt a great deal working with you.
To the McDonalds Family Restaurant, having you as my sponsor went beyond what I could expect during the pageant, thank you for all your assistance during my reign. To the Miss Samoa pageant sponsors, thank you very much for supporting this pageant and my reign. Your continuous efforts allow many Samoan ladies to growth and portray their Samoan identity.
To the lovely young ladies entering this year I congratulate you for stepping up to the challenge. Remember to stay true to yourself and your personal uniqueness as you encompass all the possibilities and opportunities involved in the Miss Samoa Pageant.
To my successor you will be put through some life learning challenges. Take it all in and embrace it. Life has many blessings coming your way; this is just the first of many blessings and exciting challenges you can look forward to as Miss Samoa.
My advice for all the young Samoan tamaitai is to achieve to the best of your ability your dreams and goals. Celebrate who you are and seize the day.
Lastly, faafetai tele lava Samoa for all your support this year. May God bless you all. I am so proud and humbled to have been your Tausala Samoa 2009.
Soifua ma ia manuia
Tavalea R Nilon