Name
Wilhelmina Elizabeth Saelua

Age
24

Occupation
Volunteer for the Center for Families of Individuals with Development Disabilities (CFIDD)

Hobbies
Looking after my grandmother, challenged uncle and assisting people with disabilities

About Me
Born to Fiu Ioane Saelua and Catherine Aigamaua Saelua, I am the first child of five.  I have two sisters and two brothers and have lived in Leone all my life.  My siblings and I were fortunate enough to be raised by both our parents and grandparents alike and it is such a blessing to have been able to grow up knowing most of the elders in my family.  I also consider myself very fortunate to grow up in a Christian home which was not always easy with so many rules set out to follow.  For some reason, I always felt left out when my friends went to the movies or the beach or just on regular outings.    I am actually thankful for those rules and all the “no’s” I got from my father.  It was a blessing in disguise.   I’m glad they took the time out to impose restrictions on my life for it has taught me discipline, respect and introduced me to the Lord.  I am thankful for many things in my life but especially for being born to such wonderful parents who did everything in their power to make sure I was raised in the right way.

I grew up in a big family which included my uncle who is mentally challenged, my grandmother (father’s mother) and aunty and uncle and on occasion some distant relatives.  I was mostly raised by my grandmother, the late Mrs Laloifi Fiu Saelua while my parents took care of my other siblings.  When my grandmother got older, it became harder to take care for her but we did so nonetheless.  Caring for my sick grandmother and challenged uncle gave me a soft spot for disabled people.  I have always been partial to the underdog and I am always willing to help those who cannot really help themselves.  They are the inspiration behind my chosen platform which is to focus awareness on our disabled population and ways to better care for them.  This includes both our physically and mentally challenged communities.   Not very many families are experienced enough or financially fit to care for their disabled family members.  Most times they are neglected and poorly cared for.  With more people informed and educated on ways to take care of their disabled or challenged family members, the better chances they’ll have to survive, improve their quality of life and on some occasions gain independence.

When I was a young girl, I had all sorts of ideas I wanted the world to hear.  It was always a dream of mine to represent my people one way or another but it was going to be on something that mattered.  To me being Miss American Samoa was never a thought in my head.  It wasn’t until recently that the whole idea and concept of Miss American Samoa or Miss anything changed for me.  It’s not about wearing a crown, being a beauty queen or even being a social icon.  It is about being a representative of your people and ambassador of your culture and your beliefs, a leader through and through.  I would like to see some of my beliefs and concerns come to life and it is through this that I would at least be able to voice a great concern of mine and hopefully spark the mind and heart of someone who has the power to make it happen if not myself.