As preparations continue for next month's Miss Samoa Pageant, 21-year-old Lotonu'u Taumaloto is preparing to represent the National Council of Early Childhood Education Samoa (NCECES) with a platform centred on preserving Samoan culture.
A teacher trainee at the NCECES campus in Sogi, Taumaloto said entering the pageant is the fulfilment of a long-held ambition inspired by former Miss Samoa and Miss South Pacific Islands Litara Ieremia Allen.
Speaking to the Samoa Observer, Taumaloto described Allen as "someone so humble and quiet" and said watching her compete encouraged her to pursue the national title.
Before earning her place in Miss Samoa, Taumaloto competed against six other contestants in an NCECES community pageant, where she was selected to represent the organisation.
She said her involvement with NCECES also reflects another lifelong dream of becoming a preschool teacher.
