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Ms Eden Brown crowned the new 2017-18 Miss SOFIAS

Contestant Eden Brown, in the first category — Lady Sofia look, which she won last Friday night at the Gov H. Rex Lee Auditorium in Utulei. Ms. Eden was crowned Miss SOFIAS after winning the categories of Lady Sofia, Swimsuit, Talent and Interview. See more photos in slideshow. [Photo:EM]
ese@samoanews.com

Friday night the Society of Fafafine in American Samoa held their 34th annual Miss SOFIAS pageant at the Gov. H. Rex Lee Auditorium in Utulei. This year’s winner, Ms Eden Brown, will go on to become an ambassador of the society, promoting a culture of love, respect and organizing future charities and outreaches.

Ms. Brown, who is a teacher at Tafuna High School won the SOFIAS crown by winning the categories of Lady Sofia, Swimsuit, Talent and Interview.

The territory’s renowned transgender pageant this year, had five contestants. Others who competed were: Aruni Talaifaga- 1st runner up, Valentana Faumuina-  2nd runner up, Lima Schwenke- 3rd runner up and Francine Tuutatau- 4th place.

The pageant with the theme was “Carousel of Curiosity” was a great success, bringing excitement, colors, animation and glitter with Wilma Thompson and Ioane Aysha Talo who kept the crowd entertained with smiles and laughter. The Fale Laumei was packed — SRO.

There was great entertainment by former Miss SOFIAS Marion Mageo of Pago Pago, Uni Tanielu and the team, students from Samoana High School as well as the outstanding performances by the participants themselves during the talent category.

Also present was the Miss Samoa Faafafine organization from Samoa and their committee,who came to support the event.

During the pageant, SOFIAS made a donation of $1,000 to the Red Cross and $2,000 to the Hope House. According to one of the SOFIAS members, every year they always make a donation to give back to the community.

In Ms. Eden’s interview category, done separate from Friday night’s event, and where the judges included Samoa News, KHJ Radio and Bluesky Communications representatives, Eden spoke of encouraging SOFIAS to embrace more outreach programs in the community, embracing their role as participating and contributing members of the local community. She won this category.

Congresswoman Aumua Amata, who attended the pageant, opened her taualuga with a $1,000 donation to the SOFIAS. She shared on her Facebook page, “had a great time at last evening’s SOFIA’s charity pageant, an annual event that raises money to help the local Red Cross, the Hope House for the elderly and also for scholarships.

Pele Chun of Argosy University also presented scholarships of more than $10,000 worth to the SOFIAS for the winner.

Congratulations to Ms. Eden Brown and best of luck during your reign!