Miss Samoa cheats death twice

12 September 2017, 12:00AM

Alexandra Iakopo cheated death twice to walk away last Saturday night as the 2017 McDonald’s Miss Samoa.

“It’s been a challenging journey for me and I thank the Lord Almighty for his grace which has given me the will and opportunity to stand before you today as your Miss Samoa,” says Alexandra as she acknowledged her Sponsor House of Gold, her parents as well as host of the pageant, the Samoa Events Incorporated at the prize giving Sunday to officially conclude the pageant events. 

As a survivor of rheumatic fever, the 23-year old from Sapapalii, Fusi Safotulafai, Togafuafua and Moamoa had two life threatening heart surgeries in 2007 and 2011.  

“I am convinced this is the reason why I survived and that is for me to represent and serve my country as their Miss Samoa,” added the Samoa Qualification Authority’s officer.

 And her parents Deacon Isaako Iakopo and Mrs. Fagamalama are grateful for the Almighty’s blessings.

“We’re blessed to have her as a daughter and we’re thankful to our father in heaven for his divine love for our daughter,” said Deacon Iakopo.

“She is straight forward, no beating around the bush.”

For instance, as the second youngest of a family of one sister and three brothers, Deacon Iakopo says she is the only one of their five children that tells him off for smoking too much.

“She scolds me as if I’m her son and not her father,” says the proud father.

“She speaks her mind,” added Mrs. Iakopo.

“Alexandra is obedient and well disciplined.  She is quite a character and she always knows when to push her father’s buttons.  But we love her for her honesty and for respecting her elders and parents.”

Educated in Samoa and a graduate from the Colorado Monarch High School in California USA, as her parents who are devout Catholics  move wherever the Church needs their services, the newly crowned Miss Samoa is ready for the unexpected.

“I have faced challenges that have strengthened my faith, eager to grow as an individual, serve and share my culture with the world, and contribute to the sustainable development of Samoa,” she says.

The new Miss Samoa vows to give it all her best to return the Miss Pacific crown to Apia in the upcoming pageant in Fiji.

12 September 2017, 12:00AM
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