Committee farewells former Miss Pacific

The National National
Miss Pacific Islands Pageant PNG committee chairman Molly O’Rourke (left), Leoshina Kariha and communication specialist Euralia Paine during the farewell luncheon recently.

FORMER Miss PNG and Miss Pacific Islands 2018-19 Leoshina Mercedes Kariha was farewelled by the Miss Pacific Islands Pageant PNG committee recently.
The committee also acknowledged her for earning a scholarship to study in the United States provided by the US Bureau of Education and Cultural Affairs in 2020.
However, due to the Coronavirus (Covid-19) pandemic, Kariha remained in Port Moresby and completed her two-year study programme online.
Kariha is currently doing a four-year Bachelor of Arts degree majoring in political science at the University of Hawaii’s Hilo campus. She will travel to Hawaii this week for her studies.
Kariha thanked the US government in Port Moresby, Miss Pacific Islands Pageant Papua New Guinea, her family and friends for supporting her studies and scholarship endeavours.
She said it was challenging to do virtual studies but she had learnt so many new things.
“Education is very important to me. My intention is to develop myself academically, before I can return to contribute to national and regional development,” she said.
Kariha added that it was humbling to have been given this opportunity to continue her studies under a US Government’s programme for Pacific islanders.
Her challenge to young women in PNG and the region is to challenge themselves and strive for change.