The Miss Pacific Islands Pageant wrapped up last Saturday in Nauru with Miss Samoa Moemoana Schwenke being crowned Miss Pacific Islands 2024.
Miss Marshall Islands Claret Chong Gum was honored with the Third Runner Up title for the pageant and was recognized and praised by hundreds of Marshallese who watched the weeklong event playout on social media.
It was a gala week for Nauru and its normally isolated population — that saw seven Pacific island contestants and their teams descend on Nauru for a week of activities that culminated last Saturday in the awards ceremony.
Miss Marshall Islands had a 30-strong team in the preparation prior to heading to Nauru, and about 10 who went with her. This was similar to the effort put in by each contestant, each of whom was supported by their home islands in a big way.
The seven young women from Samoa, Papua New Guinea, Nauru, Marshall Islands, American Samoa, Palau and Tonga competed in multiple categories, including for best best interview, best talent, best sarong, best traditional wear, most photogenic, people’s choice award, national tourism and miss personality.