Caption: Six of the eight contestants in this year's Miss ASCC Pageant gather for a photo around reigning Miss ASCC Danielle Jennings. (Standing l-r) Salina Vai, Alofi Meredith, Felicia Maloa, Keresesia Puailoa, Nellie Stowers and Triplyn Matai. Not pictured: Anneliese Sword and Denise Solia. (Photo: J. Kneubuhl)

Every spring semester, the College’s various clubs, organizations and academic departments sponsor a student who wishes to serve as Miss ASCC for the fall semester and spring semester of the following year. During the pageant, the contestants compete in different categories, which this year include Career Wear, Talent (performance), Traditional Wear & Kava Mixing, Puletasi, and Question-and-Answer. Based on points awarded by the judges during the competition, one lucky young lady will emerge as the winner of the title, and she will represent the College at public events and act as an ambassador for the faculty, staff and students during the next 12 months.

            Besides the competition segments, the pageant will also feature entertainment from winners in the College’s recent Mango Thirst talent show, members of SGA, and the contestants themselves. ASCC Social Science instructor Okenaisa Fauolo will co-host the proceedings as Mistress of Ceremonies, alongside Master of Ceremonies Galu Satele Jr. Outgoing Miss ASCC 2006-2007 Danielle Nafanua Jennings will close the evening with her farewell speech and siva. Whereas previous Miss ASCC pageants have followed a selected theme, this year the SGA, who organize the event, have opted to go theme-less. “Over the last few pageants, we’ve found that requiring the contestants work around a single theme has proven unnecessarily restrictive,” explained Tuiolemotu, “so this year, we’ve decided to try a more open approach and see how it works.”

            SGA have added another new twist to this year’s competition in the form of an automobile float competition. Each ASCC organization sponsoring a contestant will decorate an automobile to serve as float for a mini-parade taking place on Wednesday, April 25th.  Following a mid-day competition, in which judges will select one float as the best of the bunch, the entire flotilla will take to the highway and travel from the College to Hong Kong Restaurant, with each of this year’s Miss ASCC contestants riding in the float created by their respective sponsor.   

THIS YEAR’S CONTESTANTS
           
            Felicia Faleiva Maloa, 20, is the daughter of Mr. Laloniu Maloa of Lauli’i, American Samoa, and Mrs. Susana Maloa of Lalovaea and Leulumoega, Samoa. An Accounting major, Felicia describes her ambition as, “to be one of the best and most honest future accountants on island.” An active member of the Lauli’i Methodist Church Sunday School Youth and Choir, Felicia also enjoys volleyball, music, reading and writing. Felicia’s sponsor is the Phi Theta Kappa Honor Society.

            Triplerlyn Lilu’uokalani Kaio Matai, 19, majors in Business Management, and says she wants to one day open a business of her own. Her parents are Mr. Muaimalae Kaio Matai of Fagatogo and Mrs. Poloaiga Fefiloi Auro Fern Matai of Vatia. For her Platform, Triplerlyn wishes to encourage high school students to join the ASCC Business Club. A choir member of the CCCAS, Sunday School, Vatia Youth, Triplyn’s sponsor is the Business Department.

            Nellie Sapioamoa Stowers, 19, studies Health Science and says she “wants to become a nurse in the future and help out our Territory.”  The daughter of Mr. Ilario Sonny Stowers of Salelologa, Savai’i, Samoa, and Mrs. Kilisitina Stowers of Pavaiai, Nellie’s interests include “reading, writing, surfing the ‘net, singing and church.” For her Platform, Nellie wants to “encourage young people by showing them that there is more to life than they may think.”  Nellie is sponsored by the Marine Science Department.

            Keresesia Leiataua Lesa Puailoa, 19, also studies Health Science and has an interest in Nursing. The daughter of Mr. Aea Faleao Puailoa Jr. and Mrs. Fa’ananu To’oa Puailoa, Keresesia lists her ambition as “to travel the world”. Her platform is, “To become a successful role model for those who have given up on their dreams,” and her interests include sports, poetry, dancing, singing, school and church. Her sponsor is the 685 Club.

            Salina Carol Vai, 18, majors in Criminal Justice and also studies the Performing Arts. Her parents are Mr. Taleu’u To’o Vai and Mrs. Naomi Vai of Tafuna.  For her platform, Salina wishes to “work with troubled teenagers”, and her ambitions include the diverse professions of lawyer, actress, and social workers. A member of Crossroads Theater for Youth, Salina says she likes to sing, dance and act, and also enjoys playing basketball and writing. She is sponsored by the Criminal Justice Department.

            Anneliese Fa’aitumalo Sword, 19, majors in Liberal Arts with an interest in eventually working in Media Broadcasting. Her parents are Mr. Gary Sword and Mrs. Lori Sword of Tafuna. For her platform, Anneliese would like to make ASCC classes more engaging in ways that increase student interest and achievement. Her ambition is to someday work in the local media such as radio and television, and her hobbies include studying sign language, working at KNWJ FM 104 as a DJ, surfing the net, creating websites, dancing and engaging in other performing arts. Anneliese is sponsored by the House of Flying Daggers student club.

            Denise Apolonia Mosegi Solia, 20, is yet another Miss ASCC contestant from the fields of Nursing and Health Science. The daughter of the late Mr. Mosegi Petelo Solia and the late Mrs. Timena Solia of Leone, for her platform, Denise wishes to promote the Nursing profession by encouraging the youth to pursue Nursing as a career. Her ambitions are to graduate from the ASCC Nursing program, then pass the exam to become a licensed Practical Nurse and work at the LBJ Hospital. For her hobbies, she sings and loves participating in her church youth activities. Denise’s sponsor is the ASCC Nursing Department.

            Sialofioaana Meredith, 19, studies Accounting. Her parents are Mr. Fred Meredith and Mrs. Maina Meredith of Taputimu. “Lofi” has adopted a platform of providing improved services and creating better opportunities for students. Her ambition is “to become one of the best accountants in the Pacific” and her hobbies include running, reading and dancing. Alofi enjoys the dual sponsorship of the TRIO Program and the Trades & Industry Division.

            Looking back over her 12-month reign as Miss ASCC, Danielle Jennings says the highlights included serving as a judge in the first ever Little Miss Samoa Philippines Pageant, and later accompanying the volunteers of the South Pacific Christian Missionaries of Hawaii on their mission to Safotu, Savai’i, and Nofoali’i, Upolu, Samoa. She says she felt privileged to compete in the Miss American Samoa Pageant this past fall as Miss ASCC, where she came in as first runner-up and also won the Miss Congeniality award.

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