Judges of 30th Annual MASI Pageant have their work cut out for them

Pago Pago, AMERICAN SAMOA — The judges of tonight's 30th Annual Miss American Samoa Pageant have their work cut out for them, as there is no question about the beauty and intelligence of the five contestants who will be vying for the crown.

To give our readers (and judges) a pre-pageant peek at their personal, educational and professional backgrounds, Samoa News got up close and personal with the five young ladies in brief one-on-one informal interviews, where they opened up about their life journeys and future aspirations.

CONTESTANT #1: FRANCINE IOPU-MASOE (MISS INTERSECTIONS INC.)

[photo: Asi A. Fa’asau]

Francine Me Ruta Vailoa Iopu-Masoe is the second child of Manaia Saolele Iopu-Masoe and Matafai Vailoa Iopu-Masoe of Fagaima, Tafuna.

She has three sisters and five brothers and is a proud born-again Christian and disciple of Christ. Through her parents, she has relatives in the villages of Sa’anapu and Satalo in Upolu, and Salelologa and Asau in Savai’i.

Her hobbies are traveling, cooking, socializing, singing and photography.

Francine started her educational journey at Tafuna Elementary, then progressed to the Nu’uuli Vocational Technical High School where she graduated.

“I’m really glad I spent my high school years at Nu’uuli VocTech because it was a defining period in my life, which pretty much mapped out the path I was to take in my education and the kind of career I was going to pursue,” she recalled.

“It not only molded and shaped me to become a leader, it also taught me a lot of invaluable knowledge and skills I use at work and in family life, like the importance of hygiene and healthy living and the culinary skills my family enjoys when I cook for them.”

After graduation, she began her tertiary education at the American Samoa Community College (ASCC) where she acquired her Associate of Science Degree in Family & Consumer Science, then continued at Portland State University where she graduated with a Bachelor of Science in Public Health.

Subsequently, Francine has become an ardent public health advocate, and is currently a project coordinator and researcher with Olaga Research in conjunction with the Yale School of Public Health.

She credits her parents and late Nana, Faletua Vaoita Logovale who helped raise her, for her success.

Representing the villages of Tafuna and Fagaima, Francine wishes to utilize this platform to advocate for Health and Leadership.

Asked what her future plans were, the ambitious 26-year-old told Samoa News that she plans to start a business with branches in the mainland in areas where many of our people reside.

The company which will be called Beyond the Reef or BTR will cater for Samoans living there especially the ones that have never been off island before, to assist them in getting the resources they need to get the necessary documentation and services required live and work in the States.

Asked if she had done any research or feasibility study on her proposed venture, she replied that the problems her proposed company would resolve were the same ones she and many others she knew went through when she first went to the mainland.

Responding to the final question of the interview which was what her advice would be for the young generations of American Samoa who were starting out in life, “I truly believe that our young generations if given the right tools and are equipped well, will make an impact that will last for generations to come. Live to impact, not to impress.”

Francine concluded by stating her belief that the title of Miss American Samoa would give her an additional avenue to better serve her community.

CONTESTANT #2: PENICIA HUNKIN-PENE (POINT OF BEGINNING PROFESSIONALS/ TWO OCCASIONS ELEIS & DESIGNS)

[photo: Asi A. Fa’asau]

Like Francine, Penicia Jade Hunkin-Pene also aspires to a career in the Healthcare industry, but as a medical doctor.

However, unlike Francine who has three sisters and five brothers, Penicia is the only child of Pastor Ben Pene and Faletua Mabel Hunkin-Pene

Life as an only child was a humbling journey according to the 21 year-old because she did not have the luxury of having siblings while growing up, and missed out on the experience and camaraderie siblings usually share.

She revealed that her mother has been the one constant throughout her life and her interactions with older relatives made her mature beyond her years.

Penicia hails from the villages of Leone, Nu’uuli, Fagatogo, Pago Pago, Laulii, Aua and Falealupo in Savaii.

She is no stranger to the catwalk, having won the Miss Samoa Hawaii 2021/ 2022 title and is vying for the Miss American Samoa crown so that she can continue her platform of educating, empowering and reviving healthcare here in the Territory.

Penicia began her early education at Waialae Charter School, moving on to Ewa-Makai Middle School and then to Sacred Heart Academy for her high school education.

By the time she started her tertiary education at Seattle University, she had already decided that she wanted to be a medical doctor and she enrolled in Pre Medicine major with a minor in Business Entrepreneurship..

She first felt drawn to the profession when her mother was hospitalized for a life-threatening heart condition which was a very traumatic experience for her.

However, the professionalism and empathy of the doctors and nurses who treated her resulted in her mother surviving the ordeal. This made her appreciate their service and calling and she decided there and then, that it was what she wanted to pursue as a career.

Her passion for her proposed career which she feels is her calling, her made her resolute in pursuing not only four years of college, but also three more years of medical school, plus a further year of internship before she finally becomes a full fledged qualified medical doctor specializing in Plastic surgery.

She is a former collegiate volleyball player, national honor society member, surgical technician and owner of two private businesses.

She enjoys strength training, esthetics, dancing, volunteering, sining for the praise and worship team and teaching the youth siva Samoa.

Penicia hope that her return to her roots will be the beginning of reviving healthcare and empowering women to seek entrepreneurship success.

CONTESTANT #3: PAULIANA FELISE-VITALE (MISS INTERPLAN INC./EZJ CONSTRUCTION)

[photo: Asi A. Fa’asau]

Representing the villages of Ili'ili, Pago Pago and Sa'ilele, and Saleimoa and Safune in Samoa, Pauliana Angelfromheaven Felise-Vitale feels it is a great honor to grace the pageant stage tonight.

Her parents are Moamoaniua Ino & Palu Vitale and Paulo & Suni Felise. Raised by both families, she has three brothers and one sister on her Vitale side, and eight brothers and three sisters on her Felise side. She is the youngest.

Pauliana or Angel as she is called by her family and friends, spent her early years in the Territory and she attended Manumalo Academy after which she moved to Hawaii where she continued her education at James Campbell High School in Ewa Beach.

She then progressed to Chaminade University for her tertiary education and graduated with a bachelor's degree in Historical and Political Studies with a minor in English.

Her friendly demeanor put many at ease and she was very popular among her peers at Chaminade.

A born leader, she was elected to posts in two associations within the university community and aside from her studies, she was juggling roles as president of the Samoan Students Association or Lumana’i O Samoa Association and Head of Internal Affairs of the Chaminade University Student Government Association.

These leadership roles prove that the easygoing, humorous and confident 25-year-old beauty is not just another pretty face.

She is in fact, a deep-thinking person who strongly believes that mental wellness is just as important as physical wellness, an issue she intends to promote and advocate using tonight's pageant as a platform, with an emphasis on youth.

"We must create and cultivate a safe space for our youth so their minds and bodies can blossom and grow," she stated. “We must change their mindset and encourage them to stay away from drugs, because drugs can cause severe and sometimes irreparable damage to the brain as well as the body.”

CONTESTANT #4: DESTINY LAUVAO (MISS MELVINA COUTURE, FAMILY & FRIENDS)

[photo: Asi A. Fa’asau]

Destiny Tamalii Faleomavaega Lauvao is a 25 year-old young lady whose sunny disposition has a way of rubbing of those around her.

 She hails from the villages of Nu’uuli, Au’asi, Pava’ia’i and Poloa.

Destiny is the third of seven children born to Feao Lauvao, Jr. and Faafeo Lagafuaina-Lauvao and has three brothers and three sisters.

Her educational journey began at Manulele Elementary School going on to Tafuna High School where she graduated as a member of the Class of 2017.

She is currently enrolled at the Tacoma Community College studying towards an Associate of Applied Science in Business Administration degree.

Her hobbies are hiking, going to the gym, gaming and traveling.

Destiny grew up in a family where the Samoan culture played an integral part in everyday life, with parents from prominent clans. Her father is from the Lauvao clan of Aunuu/Auasi and her mother is from the Lagafuaina clan of Nu’uuli.

She is currently residing at Nu’uuli after recently arriving from Washington State where she was employed by Amazon as a CDL Class A part-time driver.

She recognizes the need for the young generation to embrace their culture and language, something that is very difficult especially for those born outside of our shores.

“Our Samoan culture and language is our identity, it is our birth right,” she declared. “It was passed down from our ancestors more than a thousand years ago, and it is our inherent responsibility to pass it on to our children and future generations.”

Other issues she is advocating for in her platform is the empowerment of women and combatting bullying in all its forms in schools and in communities.

She revealed that her decision to compete for the Miss American Samoa title was made on the spur of the moment, after she was approached by her sponsor.

“I decided it was worth pursuing for the experience and to learn more about the Fa’asamoa,” she said. “Now the pageant is just hours away and my heart is filled with excitement and humility. It is an honor to share this experience with my beautiful pageant sisters and this platform provides a unique opportunity for me to give back to our beloved America Samoa. For that, I am truly grateful.”

CONTESTANT #5: JENAVEE HERRERA (MISS FALANA’I ALA & IOSEFA FAMILY)

[photo: Asi A. Fa’asau]

Jenavee Herrera, who at only 19 years of age, is the youngest of the five contestants who will be vying for the Miss American Samoa title tonight.

She represents the villages of Ili’ili and Malaeloa.

The teenager was born in California, raised here in American Samoa for five years, then moved back to the mainland with her family.

She is the third of Esau and Lorraine Herrera’s six children, with one brother (who is the eldest), and four sisters.

Jenavee has lived most of her 19 years in the mainland and only recently moved to the Territory from Utah where her family resides, and where she attended La Entrada Adult High School.

After graduation, she decided to attend the American Samoa Community College (ASCC) for spring semester and continue on to pursue her Accounting major.

She is currently living with her grandparents Paul and Upulelei Iosefa in Malaeloa.

Despite having lived most of life stateside, the soft-spoken young lady who is the most reserved of the five contestants, is a proud Samoan and has the marks to prove it.

A tattoo sleeve — of traditional Samoan motifs and designs with the word ’Samoa’ covers about 3/4 of her upper right arm, which she proudly displays by wearing mostly sleeveless dresses and tops.

She explained that she wanted everyone to know that she was Samoan.

That is also part of the reason why she decided to compete in the Miss American Samoa Pageant, to immerse herself in the Samoan culture and build appreciation for our Samoan values.

“I wanted to try something new and get out of my comfort zone, most of all to experience and embrace my Samoan culture,” Jenavee revealed.

She is also a staunch advocate in efforts to raise awareness and battle social and cyber bullying which she plans to promote using tonight’s pageant as a platform.

“Many lives have been lost either by direct bullying or by suicide because of bullying,” she stated. “Others have taken their own lives because of threats and hurtful words by heartless people who use social media to spread this negativity. This has to stop.

“My advice for the young people in our territory is not to be afraid to take risks, enjoy life while you have the chance, embrace, love and lear more about our culture and go to school to better yourself for the future.”

Jenavee who is passionate about the beauty and fashion industry hopes to pursue and acquire qualifications so that she can start a massage parlor in the Territory eventually branching to other services of the industry.