Melania Tora, the newly crowned Miss Hibiscus 2024, remained grounded amidst the excitement of her recent victory by attending church to express her gratitude to God. The 24-year-old highlighted the importance of thankfulness and praise, stating that it was essential for her.
With maternal ties to Vanuabalavu in Lau, Tora is eager to celebrate her win with her family in Sabeto. After a service held at Fiji Connect at the USP Laucala Campus, she shared her personal journey and faith, acknowledging her imperfections but expressing her deep appreciation for the guidance she feels from God.
“Being with Jesus is so wonderful. I can do things like these because He is with me, and because He is with me, I know I am victorious with the crown or no crown, since the victory is already with Him,” she remarked.
Tora expressed her gratitude for the support she received from her community, which exceeded her expectations. She plans to celebrate with them soon and feels blessed by their encouragement during the past week.
Looking forward, Tora is committed to advocating for marginalized groups, having devoted the past two years to working in her community with cancer survivors, sex workers, and youth support organizations. She believes her new platform will enable her to further these causes and create sustainable change.
Reflecting on her experience, she praised the other contestants and the collaborative efforts of everyone involved in the event. She acknowledged the challenges faced during the competition but described them as rewarding, fueled by her faith and strong support network.
For those considering entering the competition next year, Tora encourages them to take the leap, regardless of their background. She believes that anyone with a passion for making a difference can benefit from the unique and transformative experience the pageant offers.