Leoshina wins hearts as she takes Pacific crown

THE people of Madang are overjoyed at the crowning of local girl Leoshina Kariha as Miss Pacific Islands in Tonga on Saturday.
Businessman Sir Peter Barter, who sponsored Kariha as Miss Madang Resort in the Miss PNG Pageant, said it was more than her beauty.
“Leoshina is an extremely confident intelligent young lady who has already done a lot to speak about empowerment of women in PNG, and will continue to do this throughout PNG and the Pacific after achieving this honour,” he said.
Leoshina initially entered as Miss Diwai Pharmaceuticals in the Miss Madang Pageant. She won with her team from Divine Word University.
Madang Resort then sponsored her in the Miss PNG Pageant which she also won.
“To be chosen as Miss Pacific Islands is the icing on the cake,” Sir Peter said.
“Leoshina has the ability to improve the image of PNG and has already become a role model for other young PNG women to take up the challenges and contribute towards the development of PNG.”
The 18-year-old was the youngest of the six contestants.
She becomes the second Papua New Guinean to win the crown since 2011. Abigail Havora won in 2015.
Kariha received the Miss Tourism, Miss Personality, Best Topic Presentation/Interview and Best Talent awards.
She won cash prizes and the crown. She was the crowd favourite, according to Matangi Tonga.
She has just completed her first year in the Bachelor of Arts degree programme at Divine Word University in Madang.
She is expected to take next year off from studies to fulfil her role as PNG and Pacific cultural ambassador.
The first runner-up was Miss Cook Islands Lydia Simonis, with Miss Samoa Sonia Piva as second runner-up.