Miss Samoa Pageant

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.

http://www.samoaobserver.ws/en/09_09_2018/local/36617/Savai'i-welcomes-new-Miss-Samoa.htm

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:

The new Miss Samoa in the stunning lime green dress.
Behind her is the outgoing Miss Samoa.

Dress from recyclable materials

Another dress from recycled materials.

Ultimately she was crowned Miss Samoa

Each modeled a Sarong and the narrator cited the meaning of it from the contestant.

Another Sarong

Interview Question

Puletasi

Another recyclable dress.

Puletasi (& winner of pageant)

Runner Ups being announced.

Hall at the Dom Bosco school where pageant was held.

THE NEW REIGNING MISS SAMOA

Performance by young men opening the pageant.

Young men were throughout the Hall for their dance.

ADDITIONAL PICTURES OF VILLAGE DECORATIONS:

Tires colorfully painted.

Coconuts painted in many shiny colors.

Fabric flags in Tapuele'ele

More flags in Tapuele'ele

Flags

This week has been routine except for the assembly first thing Monday morning after the weekend of Champ of Champs.  The vice principal pulled everyone together to congratulate the athletes and to remind them that it is okay to feel happy about their successes but they should not be prideful.  He reminded them of their long hours of practice and teamwork that got them first overall.  A round of applause was acknowledgment enough. However, on Saturday the athletes were taken to a beach at Lano for a day in the sun with beach activities and lots of food.  We did not  go out to the beach.

Vice Principal Taleni Tufuga addressing the assembly.

Trophy & Medal for the school.

During the week there has been a hustle and bustle all along the main road.  Communities are cleaning their yards, painting their trim, painting decorative tires, painting their rubbish receptacles, and pruning trees and shrubbery.  We figured out that it is in preparation of the Miss Samoa pageant that will take place on September 8^th.  It is the first time that the pageant is being held in Savaii.  Many, many bamboo poles have been erected for miles along the roads and strings of flags have been attached in anticipation of welcoming the young ladies.

They use rocks in some of the villages to decorate the road.
These are freshly painted.

They pile coconuts at the base of the poles for decorations.
Each village does their color.  These are green and white.

These coconuts are painted a metallic gold paint.

Lots of flags streaming from the church to the road.

We've seen Samoa, New Zealand, and the U.S. flag posted.

Ron is especially time involved with internship observations and action research papers.  Five admin students (teachers) are really working hard so they can earn their administrative certificate before we leave.  Our EDU students found the midterm test a bit difficult although they pulled through with passing grades.  We complete that class by September 14^th.

One thing we have learned through our experiences in the past year and a half is that we all have talents to be shared; we all have areas for improvement; we all are continually learning; we share wholesome desires for successful families; and we all value friendship.  The Lord has blessed us!  There are days that we are immensely aware of His guiding hand.  While we set out to make a difference in the lives of others, ultimately it is they who have made a powerfully good difference in our lives that will long be remembered.

August: Priest class, Champ of Champs, Circus, Hiking

In the last three weeks, we have been to Apia twice and spent a week being sick.  This past weekend we journeyed to Apia to attend the Champ of Champs (COC) for the Samoa National Track and Field competition.  It was a great day to support the youth in a really nice facility with covered seating, roomy  seats, good sound, and a tron for viewing events.  A few of our students set new records and Vaiola placed first overall with more than 30 Colleges (high schools) participating.  We sat with our school, coaches, friends, and fellow missionaries.

 

From the August 25th Samoan Observer newspaper

One side of the facility

Mahonri set high jump record.

Head Coach & Sports Master Salanoa

August 6th-13th:

On Monday, August 6^th, we provided an in-service training for the Primary School staff after school.  Ron adapted the version presented at the high school level.  It was hands-on and fun.  That night we held a special Family Home Evening for the families in our administrative classes and showed the movie, Wonder, complete with popcorn.  The movie was well received.  Tuesday was an early morning TVET planning meeting for TVET Day calendared for September.  Karla assisted a teacher in judging or critiquing PowerPoint presentations for her computer and TALL classes.  Then she helped judged the Level 6 spelling bee and followed up the next day doing the same.

Thursday morning, August 9^th, the sister teachers on staff prepared a surprise Father's Day breakfast for the male teachers/workers.  There was plenty of food and Koko Samoa.  The male staff were presented with hand fans, a laminated family picture, and a lei of greenery.  It was all very nice.

Mid morning on that Thursday there was a devotional in which three assistant professors from BYU-Hawaii encouraged students to higher standards of learning and character.  Before closing all the boys and girls participating in the zone field and track competition were recognized and cheered.  There was no high school on Friday because so many students were involved in the track and field.  Vaiola College took it all for Savaii.  Two weeks later they advanced to the nationals in Upolu as has been mentioned.

Being that Father's Day was a long holiday weekend and no school on Friday, we took advantage and made a trip to Apia August 10-13.  Sister Little and I shopped the market and later Friday evening, Ron and I attended a temple session and went out for pizza at Giordano's afterward.

The temple is now closed for a month for routine maintenance.

We spent that Saturday getting some packages ready for shipping from the mission home.  We had lunch with Elder and Sister Kinghorn as they will be released from their mission August 24th. 

Sister & Elder Kinghorn on the left.

Saturday evening, August 18th, was a stupendous night at the Magic Circus of Samoa.  What an entertaining evening enjoyed in the company of many of our fellow senior missionaries and mission president.  We loved the magic, the acrobats, the high wire, the balancing acts, and the bicycle ball in which 3 motorcyclists rode at the same time!  The MC was a delightful man and the lights and music enhanced everything.  All had a great time!  This circus travels around the Pacific Islands. 

Owner & MC of the circus.

Our group that was rewarded for attending the Circus complete with a magic sideshow.

August 12^th was Father's Day here in Samoa; we enjoyed a breakfast of German pancakes before church and a dinner of chicken fettuccine after church at Elder & Sister Little's home.  The two single sisters joined us for dinner. 

Monday morning (August 13^th, still the holiday)  Ron ventured a hike with some missionary buddies to the Malololelei Recreation Reserve.  The return ascent is quite steep but support ropes are in place.

Halfway through the hike.

Elder Scott Cameron, Br. Michel Haney, Elder Joe Schwenke, Ron, Elder Ed Kinghorn

Meanwhile, Sister Cameron and myself took Sisters Kirkham and Westenskow to the small Faagalii airport and said our final good byes to them.  They returned to American Samoa where they teach seminary and institute now that school is resuming after summer break.

On the ferry leaving Apia the first trip:

The International airport is just down the road from the wharf.

Sitting up top.

Pulling away from shore.

Here are some miscellaneous pictures from the past week:

Ron captured these crepuscular rays one evening. 
They are unique because the rays come from the direction of the sun.

3 Red mangoes from Upolu and 5 white Soko from Ron's garden

Saw these cute chicks coming up Vaiola road yesterday.

Favorite young men that Ron teaches on Sundays.
Most are from Solomon Islands---that is why they have Ron teach in English.
Brother Nemes (originally from the Philippines & Vaiola teacher) is in the
middle back row but looks young enough to be one of the boys.

We are back to work with a very full load for our last month.