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Miss American Samoa is ready — Let the pageant begin!

Miss American Samoa Antonina Lilomaiava, during her Siva Samoa in Savaii earlier this week. Antonina and all the other contestants visited Savaii as part of their pre-pageant activities.  (Miss Pacific Islands Photo: Su’a Hessed Ieremia)
It’s not only about “the glittery stuff, it’s so much more”
joyetter@samoanews.com

Apia, SAMOA — Miss American Samoa Antonina Lilomaiava is putting everything into her preparations for the Miss Pacific Islands pageant with the main goal of bringing the title home to American Samoa.  

Samoa News coverage of the Miss Pacific Islands pageant is brought to you by the Sheraton Hotels & Bungalows in Apia and Polynesian Airlines.

“The last time American Samoa won the title was back in 2002 during Lupe Aumavae’s time and that was 12 years ago... it’s about time we get that title back,” said Antonina. Responding to Samoa News question over the weekend, Antonina said she along with her strong support team are ready to take on the pageant this Friday (Samoa time). 

“We’re ready for the Miss Pacific Islands pageant. I have a strong support system and that is why I am very confident in all of my preparations.” She said that there is only one goal she and her team are after and that is winning the Miss Pacific Islands title. “We came here for one reason only, this is it. As soon as I was crowned Miss American Samoa, this was my next mission, the Miss Pacific Islands title and I am ready to take up this challenge.

Regarding her preparations, Antonina said her talent would focus around the similarities and the differences between American Samoa and Samoa. “It’s one of the most common questions asked by outsiders, what is the difference between the two Samoas. Being a Pacific islander let alone a Samoan, is something to be proud of, because in all of the Pacific, we Samoans are unique in our very own ways.” Antonina told Samoa News that at the end of the day “we are Samoans, whether we are from American Samoa or Samoa, we are one and we come from the same roots.

The daughter of Talitiga and Koreta Vito Lilomaiava, Antonina was a student at the American Samoa Community College majoring in business prior to being crowned Miss American Samoa and is currently employed by the Samoa’s Visitor’s Bureau. A devoted member of the Catholic Parish in Aua, Antonina said she’s overwhelmed with the support of her family, village and church as she prepares for the Miss Pacific Islands pageant.

Antonina told Samoa News that she’s fortunate to have met her sister contestants and while it’s a competition between the islands, it’s not really a competition for us when we get together. In conclusion, Antonina said she’s humbled by the support of everyone back home (American Samoa) and she hopes to gain more experience and take it back home and share this empowerment with the young women in American Samoa.

“It’s not all about beauty, heels and the glittery stuff, it’s so much more than that and I am fortunate to have had this opportunity to be a part of this, especially since it’s the 30the year for the pageant. Ten years from now I can look back and say that I was part of that... this and we made history being participants.”

She extended her heartfelt thanks to the Miss American Samoa Inc., President Meafou Imo for being by her side throughout the preparation stage of the pageant. Antonina also thanked Governor Lolo Moliga and Lt Governor Lemnanu Peleti Mauga who attended the church service to launch the Miss Pacific Islands pageant last Sunday.