The first week of September has been one of classes, trips to town, judging speeches, and so on.
The pictures this week will be from the Miss Samoa Pageant that we attended on Saturday morning from 10 a.m. to 2:15 p.m. This is the first time that the pageant has been held in Savaii rather than Upolu. The villages made special preparations to decorate and post WELCOME banners along several miles of the main road creating an aura of celebration.
The pageant had several categories: Introduction, Best recycle dress creations, Best Talent, Best Puletasi (cultural dress), and an Interview question.
Below is the account from the newspaper, Samoa Observer, and this link posts a video with snippets from the talent portion.
Miss Susana o Samoa, Sonia Piva, is your new Miss Samoa 2018-2019.
She was one of nine contestants who vied for the title during the pageant finale at Don Bosco Hall at Salelologa, which was packed by supporters, families and friends. Ms. Piva takes over from outgoing Miss Samoa, Papali’i Alexandra Iakopo.
She is the daughter of Maria and Terry Piva of Australia, Fagali’i and Salelesi.
The incoming pageant queen also won the National Tourism Award, Best Puletasi and Best Interview categories.
The other contestants included Dolores Cassandra Satiu Cufi (Miss Salimu Fagaloa), Lanuola Giselle Tuiletufuga Price (Miss Samoa Melbourne), Norah Lio Setu Aloianai (Miss Samoa Victoria), Levalasi Vivian Su’a (Miss Le Naumati Creations), Georgina Mulipola (Miss CCK), Erin Noelani Taefu (Miss Samoa Australia), Christie Retalila Temareti (Miss Samoa South Wales) and Cecilia Tufuga – Fatu (Miss Samoa New Zealand).
Dolores Cassandra Satiu Cufi (Miss Salimu Fagaloa) was named Miss Personality, while Levalasi Vivian Su’a (Miss Le Naumati Creations) was named Miss Photogenic, Best Sarong, Best Traditional Wear.
Miss Internet was Georgina Mulipola (Miss CCK), and Best Talent was Cecilia Tufuga – Fatu (Miss Samoa New Zealand).
Erin Noelani Taefu (Miss Samoa Australia) was named fourth runner up, Christie Retalila Temareti (Miss Samoa South Wales) third runner up, Levalasi Vivian Su’a (Miss Le Naumati Creations) second runner up and Cecilia Tufuga – Fatu (Miss Samoa New Zealand) first runner up.
Piva stayed with Salelologa Methodist Rev. Samuelu Areta and his parish over the week long activities for the contestants in Savai’i.
The announcement of the new Miss Samoa was welcomed with cheers and applauding by a crowd of people, who made their way to the stage when the newly crowned Piva did her first official Samoan dance as the winner.
Speaking minutes after the crowning, the new Miss Samoa was in tears and told the Samoa Observer “the overwhelming feeling of joy that goals were met, is quite fulfilling”.
“Each of the contestant was totally deserving and we all worked hard. I am so happy to have met everyone,” she said.
Ron's pictures below:
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The new Miss Samoa in the stunning lime green dress.
Behind her is the outgoing Miss Samoa. |
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| Dress from recyclable materials |
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| Another dress from recycled materials. |
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| Ultimately she was crowned Miss Samoa |
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| Each modeled a Sarong and the narrator cited the meaning of it from the contestant. |
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| Another Sarong |
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| Interview Question |
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| Puletasi |
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| Another recyclable dress. |
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| Puletasi (& winner of pageant) |
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| Runner Ups being announced. |
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| Hall at the Dom Bosco school where pageant was held. |
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| THE NEW REIGNING MISS SAMOA |
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| Performance by young men opening the pageant. |
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| Young men were throughout the Hall for their dance. |
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ADDITIONAL PICTURES OF VILLAGE DECORATIONS: |
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| Tires colorfully painted. |
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| Coconuts painted in many shiny colors. |
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| Fabric flags in Tapuele'ele |
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| More flags in Tapuele'ele |
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