Miss Lauru Elsie Polosovai is the newly crowned Miss Solomon Islands after claiming the Miss Solomon Islands Pageant (MSIP) 2024 title over the weekend.
The six hours program was held on Saturday at the Pacific Crown Hotel (PCH) in Honiara.
New Zealand based Polosovai was crowned the winner after two days of event which commenced on Friday with a speech contest and float parade through Honiara city.
The climax of the program came on Saturday night where six contestants showcased their talents through a number of categories.
Deputy Prime Minister (DPM) currently acting Bradley Tovosia was the guest of honour.
He was able to witness the former Miss Solomon Islands Ms. Tiare Haro formally handed over the official MSIP crown to the winner new Miss Solomon Islands – Ms. Polosavai during a colourful official crowning ceremony at the Pacific Crown Hotel on Saturday night.
Speaking at the official handover ceremony at the MSIP 2024 the new Miss Solomon Islands Ms Polosovai said, it is a great honor and privilege to take on the role as Miss Solomon Islands.
“I am humbly accepting this role, and I will do my best to the best of my ability to represent all of us on the Pacific stage and to carry the pride of Solomon Islands with me everywhere I go.”
She also expressed special thanks to the Lauru People’s Association for their recognition and support.
“Thank you for trusting me and taking me onboard and sponsoring me on this year’s pageant,” she emotionally stressed.
She further acknowledged her team (Miss Lauru team) Loretta Tahaka, Jasmine Do’oro and also her Fashion designer Clayton Tahaeka for work in putting up her dresses and her attires.
She commended Solomon Host (the organizer for MSIP 2024), for providing the contestants with the opportunity to raise awareness on issues that are really important to them.
“We are so grateful to have this platform and I like to congratulate my beautiful five sisters who are in this journey as well and a big thank you to all of you for the support you all showed us (all the contestants) over the past weeks,” she concluded.
The six young women were judged in different categories before the overall official result was announced.
The categories included, the speech category, Social Media Award category, Introduction category, Sarong category, Talent category, contemporary traditional attire (wear) and Questions and Answers (Q&A) category depending on their skills, ability, creativity and talent displayed.
The contestant number five Miss Lauru won six categories in the pageant which is the speech category; social media award category, Introduction category, and attire category, contemporary traditional wear including Questions and Answers category and eventually won the crown as the new Miss Solomon Islands.
Meanwhile, contestant No. 6 Miss Coral Sea Resort and Casino Sharllyma Aruhane won the Sarong category in the pageant competition.
The contestant’s official results are as follows:
- Winner contestant No. 5 Miss Lauru Elsie Polosovai
- 1st Runner Up contestant No. 1 Miss Tourism Kerrie Faradatolo
- 2nd Runner Up contestant No. 6 Miss Coral Sea Resort & Casino Sharllyma Aruhane
- 3rd Runner Up contestant No. 2 Miss Tulagi Jayn Zayniellar Soakai
- 4th Runner Up contestant No. 4 Miss Solomon Islands Climate Action Network-SICAN Azarinna Zolela Stevens
- 5th Runner Up contestant No. 3 Miss Guadalcanal Erinma Keni Kausua
Solomon Host Event Manager Lynette Adomea thanked DPM Tovosia for sponsoring all the prizes for the Miss Solomon Islands Pageant 2024.
Ms. Polosovai’s mum Mary Polosovai and dad were present to witness their daughter claiming the queen’s title.
They emotionally expressed their gratitude on their daughter’s history making on the crowning ceremony and said it is a big win for their family and it doesn’t win, but it also comes with responsibility as well.
“So now we can do all the best that we can, just like how we continue to support where she achieved her dreams.
“For Elsie, I think her dreams come true.
“So I think we must render the most support needed either whether be in finance, moral and the right support that she needs to run more in the Miss Pacific Pageant 2025,” her mother stressed.
Ms. Elsie, 23, born to parents from Dara and Vuruleke in Choiseul Province and Bina, West Kwaio in Malaita Province said, she’s proud to represent the interests and promote the welfare of the Lauru people, also known as the Choiseul people.
“First of all, thank you so much to the Lauru People’s Association for having the confidence in me to represent my beautiful homeland, Choiseul province.
“I aim to raise awareness and drive initiatives that advocate for women’s health. In doing so, I hope to contribute to a healthier and more empowered generation of women,” she expressed this in an exclusive interview with Solomon star after the crowning event.
As the winner Ms Polosovai will represent the country (Solomon Islands) in the upcoming Pacific Island Miss Pageant show which will be hosted early next year in Honiara.
Solomon Host and the organizers who runs the Miss Solomon Islands Pageant for over 7 years under the directive leadership of the organization owner Ms. Joyce Konofilia will be in full preparation to host next year’s event in the country.
The official Miss Solomon Islands Pageant 2024 ceremony saw many colorful activities and displays being put on show for the various categories which highlights the full beauty of our diversity and uniqueness.
The show had brought so much excitement for many crowd, fans, supporters and major sponsors who turned up to witness the sold out event.
Meanwhile, the contestants for this year’s show are;
- Erinma Keni Kausua (Miss Guadalcanal),
- Kerrie Faradatolo (Miss Tourism),
- Sharllyma Aruhane (Miss Coral Seas Resort & Casino),
- Elsie Polosovai (Miss Lauru),
- Azarinna Zolela Stevens (Miss Solomon Islands Climate Action Network-SICAN),
- Jayn Zayniellar Soakai (Miss Tulagi).
Photos & Story
By RAYMOND HULANGA
Solomon Star, Honiara.