Arts & Entertainment
First Woman with Disability to Compete in the Miss Samoa Pageant
By Lagi Keresoma
APIA, SAMOA – 17 AUGUST 2023: Miracle Afele is the first woman with disability to compete in the Miss Samoa Pageant 2023.
Miracle is from Vaitele and currently works at the administrative division of SENESE and she represents the Association of Sign Language Interpreters.
She was confirmed among the ten contestants registered for the Miss Samoa pageant announced yesterday by Onomea Productions and Digicel Samoa – the organisers and major sponsor for the pageant.
According to Onomea Productions Board member Dr. Fetaomi Tapu, the Miss Samoa Pageant holds a personal place in the hearts of tamaitai Samoa as it embodies custom, tradition, beauty and connects and empowers the community.
The pageant also boosts aspiration, elegance, leadership, self-confidence and an ideal platform for their voices to be heard.
She said Onomea Productions is humbled to be part of the girls journey in the past few months and to the Samoa Tourism Authority for the opportunity to render such service to the girls and the community.
“We convey absolute joy at being a part of a journey that continues to privilege tamaita’i Samoa and honour Samoan culture and heritage,” said Dr. Fetaomi.
Digicel Acting Chief Executive Officer Rahul Anand also conveyed gratitude for allowing them to be part of the journey.
The Contestants
- Vaelei Von Dinklage – Miss JADS Samoa
- Tashana Lee Opelu – Miss Lavashe Couture
- Siliva Siaea – Miss Digicel Samoa
- Nicolina June Ah Kuoi – Miss Apia Insurance Company
- Moemoana Safaatoa Schwenke – Miss New South Wales
- Moeloto Vitolia Willimina – Miss Lototau Agency
- Miracle Afele -Miss Samoa Association of Sign Languages Interpreters
- Karameli Sarah Purcell – Miss Arallel Couture
- Helen Vera Isitolo Lemisio
- Cherish Faamanu Nanai – Miss Samoa New Zealand.
