Epi’s Dream Comes True
The Qamea Island lass was the second runner-up for the 2015 Vodafone Tebara Carnival in Nausori.
One bad experience did not deter Alitia Epi from winning the Miss Vodafone Festival of the Friendly North and Miss Charity. The 23-year-old sponsored by Miss Fiji Sugar Corporation wasn’t surprised when she was crowned on Saturday night at Subrail Park in Labasa. The Qamea Island lass said she was the second runner-up for the 2015 Vodafone Tebara Carnival in Nausori. “Everyone thought I would be Miss Vodafone Tebara but that crowning night turned different for me,” Miss Epi said.
“When I got transferred to Fiji Inland Revenue and Customs Authority in Labasa from Suva this year, one of my good friends suggested I send an application of interest to be a queen contestant.
“I entered into this competition without telling my parents because I know they would worry and avoid me from having another bad experience,” the only girl in the family said. “One of my dreams is to represent Fiji in the Miss South Pacific Pageant and I feel proud that finally after winning in this festival I would be competing in the Miss Fiji Pageant this year.” “I would like to thank God and my parents Esita Niumataiwalu and Aminiasi Epi for their blessings,” Miss Epi said. “Without their blessings I would not have reached where I am today.” Miss Epi holds a Bachelor’s degree in Management Public Administration, Human Resources and Tourism studies and currently pursing Post Graduate studies in Management at the Fiji National University. “I would like to thank my sponsor FSC, all its employees, the queen’s committee, my hair dresser Ashneel, designer Mrs Ali and the Northerners,” Miss Epi said. “I am so happy because with these two return tickets which I was awarded, I can travel to my dream destinations which are France and Hawaii.” Her mother, Esita Niumataiwalu, 48 said she was proud of her daughter. “I am a proud mother not by Epi’s achievement but how she puts her trust in God and manages her studies, work and life diligently and living her dreams,” Mrs Niumataiwalu said. Miss Epi’s father is a money lender in Labasa Town while her mother does domestic duties. Edited by Rusiate Mataika