The youngest contestant for this year's Digicel Miss Samoa pageant, Tashana Opelu sponsored by a Sydney-based Samoan fashion house, Lavashe Couture, is a proud tama'ita'i Samoa, on a mission. 

The 18-year-old from the villages of Vaimoso, Sataua, Fasito'o-Uta, Afega, Vaovai, Elise-Fou and Taga is a true believer that one must not wait to chase their dreams. 

She is one of the beautiful 10 contestants vying for the Digicel Miss Samoa crown 2023-2024. 

Ms. Opelu said this is a "stepping-stone" for her, but she is taking up this challenge with the hope to empower other young Samoan women to pursue their dreams as tomorrow is not promised. 

She is hoping to use this opportunity to learn more about her Samoan culture, and to find herself. 

"Being in the pageant is something I have always wanted to do," Ms. Opelu said. 

"I decided to take up this challenge now, because why wait until next year when you can do it now? Life is too short and I honestly believe that if you are passionate about something, you go for it. 

"This year is my gap year and what better way to enter adulthood than entering the pageant and connecting with my culture and roots with the hope to inspire and empower other young girls out there to pursue whatever their hearts desire.

"I see this also as an opportunity to learn more about my culture because growing up and living in Sydney, I felt out of touch in embracing who I am and my culture. 

"But this is a great way to learn more about the true values of a tama'ita'i Samoa. I also want to connect with my people, build a relationship with God, learn about the history of our people and the struggles of our ancestors that led to the freedom we now enjoy in our beautiful Samoa."

Being on stage is nothing new to Ms. Opelu. She is a member of the Spirit of the Islands Polynesian Dance company back in Sydney. 

She also participated in the Miss Teen Face of Beauty International 2023 held in Bicol Philippines in March of this year, where she was second runner up representing Samoa. 

Having great confidence in her preparations and with the strong support from her community back in Sydney as well as her family and friends in Samoa, Miss Lavashe Couture is in it to win the crown. 

And as a customer service assistant back in Sydney, Ms. Opelu understands the value and significance of serving the community with a smile and it is one of the things she hopes to advocate on the Miss Samoa platform. 

She also hopes to advocate for inclusivity in education and encourage young Samoans to be educated as they are the future leaders of the country. 

She shared with the Samoa Observer how she enjoys her visits to her homeland whenever they come for holidays. 

"I love it here and it's so humbling to come back and enjoy the simplicity of life in Samoa," she said.

"It reminds us of who we are, how beautiful our culture is and what our country has to offer to the world. I always enjoy coming to Samoa as it keeps me humble and reminds us of where we come from as well as keeping us connected to our culture and motherland."

Asked about why she should be crowned as the new title holder, Ms. Opelu said she feels that she has what it takes to be Miss Samoa. 

"I feel as though people might find it that I stay true to myself and who I am. I stay true to the values instilled in me by my parents and family. 

"I wear my heart on my sleeve and I am passionate about serving people with all that I am and all that I have."

She also believes that even at 18-years-old, a true tama'ita'i Samoa knows how to rise above adversity, keep the spirit afloat and serve the community with a smile. 

Ms. Opelu also shared that she is interested in pursuing a career in acting. 

"Drama and plays excite me and that's something a lot of people don't know about me," she giggled. 

"There's just many things I want to pursue and passionate about, but I enjoy watching drama and plays and I was into it when I was in school, but I definitely would like to pursue a career in that if it's in the cards for me. 

"But I am using this gap year to find myself and to really look into what I want to study and pursue next year."

Miss Lavashe Couture is excited to meet the other contestants and get to know them in the coming days.