I Gave It My Hardest, Miss Samoa

Written by Sue Fale
Thursday, 30 October 2008
Determined work and lots of public support almost paid off at the weekend for Samoa’s reigning beauty queen, 24-year-old Gwendolyn Tuaitanu. She was unlucky to miss out on the crown for the Miss South Pacific Beauty Pageant in American Samoa, won by Miss Niue, Vanessa Toriana Tracey Limatoa Marsh. She happily settled for first runner up and accepted the role of lending support to the work of the region’s new reigning queen. Gwendolyn did claim some of the spoils for the night as winner of Best Talent, Miss Tourism and Miss Internet. Her version of Destiny’s Child hit song, ‘Stand Up For Love’ was unbeatable in the lineup of talents on display during the night. The Miss Tourism was hers by decision of the organizers of the pageant for a bubbly personality and ‘for being punctual, which I have to thank my chaperon Jade for, she was the one who was always calling out to hurry up.” The length and breadth of support for her was aptly demonstrated when she collected enough vote to claim the Miss Internet title. Back again in Apia this week and reflecting on her performance, she has no regrets about the effort she left on the stage at the Lee Auditorium in Pago Pago. She felt confident of competing well all night, and like all the other contestants she was hopeful of winning. “I tried my hardest, I did my best, and when it didn’t happen I said okay…everyone gave it their all and everyone in the audience could feel it too,” Miss Samoa told Newsline. The memories of the pageant are not about winning or losing, as far as the Samoan beauty is concerned, it is the nurturing of a true personal character and the shaping of a specific goal in life. The personality changes is dated to when her journey of glamour started by becoming Miss Samoa USA, and since then it has been a whirlwind. In only a few months into her 12 months reign, the responsibilities and the role required of her has been eye opening, and the weekend experience in American Samoa opened them even further. “ The experience so far is helping me begin to see what person I want to be or grow into or wanna become. “ My involvement has made be feel empowered, like it has made me a stronger person, motivated to see the world beyond just playing sports, wearing shorts or doing whatever I want.” One of the pageant highlights the Miss South Pacific brought home for her was the sharing of important issues about the region with fellow contestants. “”We were bringing the issues out on what we can do to promote the region in general conversation at that was quite important, I felt.” The sharing of opinions took a bit of doing at the start for the contestants because of the getting to know process. “I was actually nervous at the start because we all felt the competition and it was intimidating the way some of the girls were talking. “I felt that I can talk fine but the way they presented themselves was very intimidating. I thought oh my goodness I have no word up against these women because they were very intelligent, they came with their degrees, knowledge, intellect, huge vocabulary and they would show it.” Gwendolyn found a lot of local support while in the territory from her mother’s home village of Nu’uuli and as a regular visitor herself she was among family. She was also no stranger to the village population thanks largely to winning the Miss Samoa crown this year and to returning family members who were in Apia to cheer her on. “My aunty took back a CD of the song I sang and played it on the radio, they also put up large posters of me in front of their homes in Nu’uuli. Miss Samoa will be required to accompany the reigning Miss South Pacific around the region, as part of the requirements for being runner up. So when she is not traveling the region, she is back home with her aunty from Manono who is staying with her . “I’ll be staying with my aunty from Manono when my mom is not visiting, so I know I will miss my family.” The chance to grow up in the fa’aSamoa is an opportunity she is looking forward too, and especially of learning to speak Samoan. She has never played netball but is willing to learn. Just don’t pick her in the national team. Comments (7) Subscribe to this comment's feed YOU GAVE IT YOUR BEST written by FRED TAALA, October 30, 2008 NO NEED TO WORRY ABOUT IT NOW. YOU HAVE MADE US ALL IN UTAH PROUD. KEEP YOUR HEAD UP AT ALL TIMES. THERE IS NOTHING TO BE ASHAMED ABOUT. MALO FAI OLE FAIVA. MOVE FORWARD ON YOUR ROLL. YOU HAVE A LOT TO DO THIS YEAR. MOST OF THE YOUNG LADIES ARE LOOKING FORWARD TO MEETING YOU AND TRY TO EMULATE YOU IN ALL YOU DO. DO NOT LET THEM DOWN. YOU ARE A ROLE MODEL IN ALL YOU DO, SO DO NOT BE DISCOURAGE BE HAPPY AND BE PROUD OF WHO YOU ARE. FRED TAALA. congratulations Gwen! written by T Charved, October 30, 2008 I dont know you Gwen but after watching your performances during the miss Samoa and a bit of the miss south pacific, I came to know a great personality and character behind the beauty of that face. A big congratulations for becoming 1st runner up. I thought you should have been the winner, but Im also happy for the result All the best for your term as miss samoa. Im sure the travels and duties this year will keep you busy and not feeling homesick. You will make many good friends and relationships, and you will never regret it. God bless and prayers! T Mrs.. written by Maria Taouma, October 30, 2008 We all love you Gwen, U R DABOMB!!!! You represented your family, Utah, all of Samoa, and your Faith(LDS) very well.. YOU, are an excellent AMBASSADOR for SAMOA.. Ku i lou kofi, dear.. We love you.. LDS Utahs... LIVE IN THE MOMENT! written by jenny, October 30, 2008 YOU DID ACCOMPLISH SOMETHING! YOU BECAME THE 1ST RUNNER UP! UNFORTUNATELY SOMEONE ELSE TOOK THE CROWN! SHE WORKED AS HARD, AND SO DID THE REST OF THE CANDIDATES GOING FOR THE SAME TITLE. THAT'S LIFE! MOVE FORWARD AND LIVE IN THE MOMENT! SOMETHING MUCH BIGGER IS WAITING FOR YOU OUT THERE! CONGRATS TO MS. NIUE, MS VANESSA MARSH WHO TOOK THE TITLE AND CONGRATS TO MS SAMOA FOR BEING THE 1ST RUNNER UP. TAKE CARE Gwen... written by SamoanGal, October 31, 2008 Congratz Gwen!! Utah is so very proud of you!! Heritage misses your beautiful smiling face. Take care and try not to miss the snow too much...lol! Congrats Gwen! written by VY, November 01, 2008 Hey Miss Samoa, Congratulations and job well done! You are a winner in our eyes. Regardless of the outcome, you have made us all proud! You are a great example to us all. See you in a year! I love you! good job written by pretty, November 19, 2008 I think you did a great job. God Bless in everything you do. pretty from american samoa Write comment Name Email Title Comment
Last Updated ( Friday, 31 October 2008 )

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