Teuila Emmy Alofipo, a 24-year-old proud daughter of Samoa born in America, is making her debut on the Samoan stage with a powerful vision: to champion the cause of progressive education. 

For Ms. Alofipo who is sponsored by Liahona Consultancy, education is more than a stepping stone. It's a transformative force that can uplift individuals and entire communities alike.

Raised in the United States, this is Ms. Alofipo's first visit to Samoa. 

Her participation in the Miss Samoa pageant is not only a personal milestone but also a significant cultural exploration. 

Ms. Alofipo, who has spent her life on the basketball court, admits she was initially ambivalent about pageantry. "It was kind of a on the whim thing," she shares with a laugh. 

"I think Moemoana really set the bar and I was truly inspired seeing how our young Samoan women on the map and how other Polynesian women my age excelled greatly using these platforms. I was truly amazed and inspired."

Ms. Alofipo's journey to the Miss Samoa stage has been one of personal growth and reflection. 

She acknowledges that Samoans in America often don't receive the recognition they deserve, and her own experience in the Miss Samoa U.S.A. competition underscored this. 

Although she initially signed up for the Miss Samoa U.S.A., she chose to withdraw due to concerns about potential favoritism and the impact it might have on her family. 

"Being the daughter of the Co-Founder of the Miss Samoa U.S.A., there was a lot of scrutiny and contentions. There were talks of favoritism," she explains. Despite the challenges, she supported the pageant behind the scenes and focused on the Miss Samoa platform.

Now, stepping into the spotlight in Samoa, Ms. Alofipo embraces the opportunity to advocate for education. 

"I hold that to a high standard and I understand that that's something that needs progress here," she says. Her mission is clear: to highlight the importance of education as a tool for community advancement. 

"There's a lot to progress here but I feel like the more we are informed and educated the more we understand everything better. Because information is key. Especially with the rise in technology and the internet, there's a lot to learn from there."

Ms. Alofipo's commitment to education is matched by her desire to connect with her cultural roots. Although she was born and raised in the U.S., she feels deeply connected to her Samoan heritage and values. 

"I truly understand the values and aspects of a tama'ita'i Samoa such as love, respect, and service," she explains. "These are values that have followed us from the motherland to America." Her experience with the Miss Samoa pageant is a chance for her to further embrace her culture, including learning the Samoan language.

In her preparations for the pageant, Alofipo draws parallels between her athletic training and pageant readiness. "You know the nerves before going into a game and it's the same feeling," she says. 

"But it's the anticipation that makes you nervous. Once you're in it, it's very exciting and something amazing. I feel like it's the same thing preparing for the pageant."

Beyond the competition, Alofipo is inspired by her mother, Tofuola Alofipo, whom she credits as a source of strength and resilience. 

"She's an amazing woman and I don't think I tell her enough," she says. "She is strong and courageous, and despite her health, she's always putting me first. I hope to serve her in the same way she has been serving me all my life." 

As the eldest of six, Alofipo juggles a career as a legal secretary, studies, and rigorous training, all while proudly representing her Samoan heritage from Saipipi, Avao, Saleaula, Vaitoloa, Lepea, and Aleipata.

As Teuila Emmy Alofipo steps onto the Miss Samoa stage, her journey symbolises more than personal ambition—it represents a commitment to education, cultural connection, and the empowering values that define her.