The Society of Fa’afafine in American Samoa (SOFIAS) has never failed to give the public a “show of the year” each time they hold a pageant. It is always a night of ferocious talent, beauty, high heels, sparkle, glamour and feathers, and the next one will be this Friday night at the Governor H. Rex Lee Auditorium called the 31st Annual Miss Sofias Beauty Pageant — “Diamonds, a Tale of Everlasting Beauty”.

Six of American Samoa’s finest fa’afafine will be vying for the crown of Miss SOFIAS 2014. They are Maya Blaque, Viva LaJuicy Couture, Briseis Tilo, Erikah Fonoti, Anse Rafael and Vina Leuta.

The current Miss SOFIAS 2013 is Roberta Laumoli who earned her crowned last year.

According to the SOFIAS, this year’s pageant was postponed for a week in honor of Easter weekend and Good Friday to give everyone time to observe Easter. During Flag Day week, the SOFIAS held several events, beginning April 12, 2014, when they held a “Meet The Contestants” evening, where the girls conducted their platform presentations at the government Fale Tele.

On Easter Sunday, Apr. 20, 2014, the SOFIAS and contestants attended the CCCAS Church in Vailoatai and the current Miss Roberta Laumoli & Family hosted the luncheon. The next day, SOFIAS visited the Fatu-o-Aiga Hope House, where Roberta and contestants provided lunch for Hope House residents and they also cleaned the compound.

The following day, Roberta and the contestants then visited the pediatric ward at LBJ Medical Center, where they handed out gifts to the little ones. They also visited the third grade class at  Pava'ia'i Elementary, where Miss SOFIAS Roberta is a teacher, and gifts were also presented there. 

Roberta in her reign has been keen on the issue of Child Abuse. She says it is important yet sensitive to her, as she works closely with young students. “Child abuse is more than bruises and broken bones. Physical abuse might be visible, but other types of abuse, such as emotional abuse, sexual abuse and neglect also leaves deep scars.

“While physical abuse is shocking due to the scars it leaves, not all child abuse is as obvious. Ignoring children’s needs, putting them in unsupervised, dangerous situations, or making a child feel worthless or stupid are also child abuse. Regardless of the type of child abuse, the result is serious emotional harm,” she told Samoa News.

Roberta said child abuse is an issue across the globe and it’s her goal to raise awareness about it. She noted that studies show that abused children are more likely to repeat the cycle as adults, unconsciously repeating what they experienced as children and this is why the call to raise awareness must be in full force.

Roberta said the highlight of her reign was visiting the Pediatric Ward and the Hope House, as well as playing a role in efforts to help support troops and work with the local Red Cross in different areas.

“It’s been a fulfilling year for me, to be part of something miraculous and to view the face of a sick child when he or she is given a gift — it’s just priceless. Hugging an elderly patient at the Hope House is something that is embedded in my heart, and this year was amazing,” she told Samoa News. 

Roberta thanked her sisters of SOFIA for their support, her village of Vailoa and her family for their utmost support of her efforts as she held the SOFIAS crown for 2012-2013.

SOFIAS motto “Ia e ola malamalama I lou Fa’asinomaga” ( Be of virtue and take pride in your identity). SOFIAS aims to align and work collaboratively with fa’afafine in the territory, Asia Pacific Region and the world.

“SOFIAS is an organization that focuses on improving life through the balance of our Samoan-identity and western influences. “We are dedicated to building relationships grounded in the Samoan values, promoting a positive attitude toward the Samoan fa’afafine community, the empowerment of people, protection of the environment and respect for cultural diversity in our community.”

The SOFIAS mission is to foster stable relationships amongst the fa’afafine community in the territory, and do so by providing educational outreach events and promoting maturity and respect towards others that will enable individuals to achieve educational goals and to contribute to the social and cultural well being of every fa’afafine that resides in American Samoa.