The Annual Miss SOFIAS Pageant always promises a night of talent, fashion and beauty, however this year’s 31st pageant — “Diamonds, a tale of everlasting Beauty" and its six contestants — took it to a whole new level.

While the crowd is usually being entertained by the breathtaking outfits, outrageous performances or hilarious antics as seen in past pageants where the focus was mostly theatrical, in this year’s Miss SOFIAS pageant there was the emotional impact of overwhelming surprise at how elegant the contestants were; astonishment at the high level roller-coaster of feelings brought out by the gorgeous decor of the auditorium; wonder brought on by the beautiful jewel-encrusted designed gowns on display; and, pride at the contestants ingenuity during the interview category.

Perhaps most remembered from the night will be the wave of emotions brought on by some of the contestants and performers when they touched on the issues of domestic violence, bullying, and emotional and physical abuse. Particular poignant, April is Sexual Assault Awareness Month, was Samoana High School’s choral presentation of a chant written by Pacific Islander Roma Potiki about 19 women murdered due to violence.

Also for the first time the contestants were offered more than $20,000 in educational scholarships by the Argosy University and Bluesky Communications, SOFIAS’ partner for the pageant. 

Queen of the evening was Miss Maya Aphrodite Blaque of Tula, a nurse by profession who was sponsored by her friends and family. Miss Erikah Fonoti was first runner up, crowd favorite Miss VivaLaJuicy Couture came in second runner up and Miss Anse Rafael came as third runner up.

The day of the pageant, April 26, 2014, marked the second year since Maya’s mother passed away,and while none of her family members attended the pageant she performed her heart out as she dedicated this pageant to the one woman who has been her role model, her mother, the late Talatalaga Fu’a Ierome.

She told Samoa News that Friday evening her family and siblings had committed their time to a lantern ceremony near her mother’s grave, where they fly lanterns and balloons in her honor and it has become a family tradition.

“Which is why throughout the entire pageant I was very emotional, as I had missed my mother’s lantern ceremony, yet I know she would have wanted for me to attend the pageant which I have committed myself to participate.”

Also during the interview category, Miss Maya was posed with the question that made her more emotional when she was asked, who was her role model — the one person that was influential in her life. 

The winning queen fought back tears, however her voice broke when answering that it was none other than her mother, who played a huge role in what and where she is today in life.

Maya is a nurse by profession which is why during this reign she’s looking at raising awareness of the preventative measures needed to prevent kidney diseases and in the long run wants to create a Kidney Foundation for the public.

Maya, who is a nurse at the Dialysis Unit of the hospital, said her heart is set with her dialysis patients which is why during her reign she will dedicate it to raising awareness on the preventative measures to avoid kidney disease, because it can be prevented — especially those with End Stage Renal Disease (ESRD) the last stage of chronic kidney disease.

“It’s a concern in the community and it’s a growing disease because the numbers of our dialysis patients have increased tremendously, which is a bad sign. Even worse, we have teenagers as patients, on up to middle aged people.

“It’s heartbreaking, my youngest patient is a 14-year-old male and we have teenagers who are treated at our dialysis clinic. This disease is usually diagnosed with the elderly population, but recently it’s slowly coming down to the middle aged people and the teenagers.”

She said it’s a huge concern that sooner or later a newborn baby may be diagnosed with kidney disease, yet kidney disease is preventable just by eating healthy and having a healthy mindset, exercising and working out.

ESRD is permanent, it cannot be fixed and in most cases ESRD is caused by diabetes or high blood pressure.

“Some problems you are born with, some are reactions to medicines, and some injuries can also cause ESRD,” she said. You are more at risk for ESRD if you have, chronic kidney disease (CKD); injury or trauma to the kidneys and major blood loss. Miss Maya told Samoa News that the best way to prevent ESRD is to prevent CKD.

Diabetes and high blood pressure are the two leading causes of CKD, she said.

“You can help to protect your kidneys by keeping these in control. Get your blood sugar and blood pressure checked often. You an also help protect your kidneys with other healthy habits,” she said. Maya further stated that each individual should have regular check-ups with your doctor; eat a low-fat, low-salt diet; exercise; avoid tobacco and drink alcohol only in moderation.

“Also, take medicines the way your doctor tells you and talk to your doctor before you start any new medicine or supplement.”

Asked how she felt when she won the crown after her fifth time running, Maya said, “I feel accomplished, great and awesome and I have been ready for this, after running in the pageants for the fifth time, winning does feel great and I finally won the crown I fought so hard to get on many occasions.”

Maya was also named Miss Photogenic, Miss Elegance, Bluesky People’s Choice and for the category awards she was named Lady SOFIAS.

First runner up Erikah Fonoti was named Miss Silhouette, Best Swimsuit and best evening gown.

Second runner up was the crowd favorite, Miss VivaLaJuicy, who was named Miss Internet and aced the talent category when she rode on the stage in a toddler bike lip syncing a compilation of comedy pieces. Miss Viva also won Miss Personality.

The Miss SOFIAS third runner up was Anse Rafael, who also won the best Platform presentation and Best Interview category.

PHOTO BELOW: The 31st Annual Miss SOFIAS Pageant showcased a powerful choral reading rendition of a chant about 19 women murdered — due to violence. It’s a chant written by Pacific Islander Roma Potiki, and it was performed by Samoana HIgh School’s English Class. The choral reading had been prepared for the now cancelled DOE Speech Festival 2014.

How many of us were sitting in the crowd during the pageant biting back the familiar helpless cry of "Help me" as seen in this photo and then swallowing the cry back down as we realized that because of fear, pride, cultural views, and fear for our reputations, our families, our very lives — we hopelessly can't? How many of us?