Miss Samoa Victoria, Tiafau Zahriya Sina Leaoasoma, wants to make a difference when it comes to children's mental health issues.

The 24-year-old from Satupa'itea and Sasina is among the nine contestants vying for this year’s Bluesky Miss Samoa Pageant.

She was born in Wellington, New Zealand but was raised in Australia by her grandmother, Vagana Tauvasa Leaoasoma, after losing her mother to breast cancer.

That experience informed her perspective on loss and the ways children deal with trauma.

“I feel like children should understand that it’s okay for them to share and speak about the things they encounter that affects their lives whether it be positive but critically the negative things,” she said.

She is currently an Assistant Educator. She graduated from Roxburgh Park Secondary College and has completed her early childhood education certificate. 

“I joined this year’s pageant because I love to serve people and that is my calling in life. My grandmother raised me because she loved me so much to take care of me and I want to do the same to everyone else," she said. 

“The work I do involves child care which is something that took on from watching my grandmother teach the young kids that inspired me to be just like her. I love children my work revolves around infants children aged one. 

“I am a nurturer, I love to take care of them not only that but supervision is key but also interaction."

Her hobbies include singing, spending time with families and at church.

“I hate competitions despite being my being in a contest. I am also here to empower the girls competing.

“I want to also encourage other girls to come on this platform it’s not about how you look like it’s about the heart to serve our people.

“I know that I was born in New Zealand and raised in Australia but my heart is with Samoa and everything is a learning process.

“If my grandmother can see that I can be a great leader or a role model to others then hopefully I can do the same in Samoa.”