Miss Arilei Couture loves to dance, and being a product of the Anofale mentorship program, she hopes to portray the true values of a Tama’ita’i Samoa which she believes will propel her forward. 

Karameli Serah Purcell, 24, of Vailele, Mulivai, Safata, Vaiee and Aleipata has five older siblings and two younger ones and is a part-time student at the National University of Samoa (N.U.S.) doing her Bachelor of Commerce degree. 

“Since I was little, I’ve always dreamt of becoming Miss Samoa and I know that I will face a lot of challenges but I believe I can overcome them,” said Ms. Purcell. “I look up to all the former Miss Samoa pageants and the story of their journey.

"It gives me so much inspiration to hear about their experiences and I hope one day I could be standing alongside them.” 

Ms. Purcell said her time with the Anofale mentorship program has helped her realise her dreams of being a true Tama’ita’i Samoa and an ambassador for Samoan culture.

“I learnt the moral and cultural values and the proper way to carry and conduct yourself wherever and whenever as a Tama’ita’i Samoa,” she said. “It’s the way you talk, it’s the way you walk and how you carry yourself. 

"Being born and raised in Samoa I am familiar with the challenges our young girls face. I want to learn how I can be the voice for them and I believe being Miss Samoa will be a great voice for them.” 

Having put a lot into her preparations, Ms. Purcell hopes that her performance during the upcoming pageant will inspire young girls to be themselves and enjoy every moment of life. 

“I will do my best to walk into every room God sends me to. I will belong there and I won’t let self-doubt rob me of anything that God has planned for me," she said.

Ms. Purcell added that her strongest point was her faith in God and her complete trust in Him, especially during this journey as well as being skilled in the performing arts.