American Samoa born Meagan Taulaimoana Palelei Ho-Ching, 24, will represent American Samoa at the Miss United States pageant in July.  The Miss American Samoa United States Organization in a press release said Meagan is the first native Samoan to compete in the pageant.

About participating in the pageant, Meagan said, "Initially I had some reservations but realized this was an opportunity to change preconceived notions and stereotypes of Pacific Islanders; to encourage Pacific females — I simply couldn’t pass up such an amazing opportunity.”

Meagan, the middle child of five, is the daughter of Faitala Ho-Ching and Sinatala Melissha Palelei from Nu’uuli, American Samoa. Born in Pago Pago, Meagan graduated with honors from Alta High School in Sandy, Utah.

Currently an undergraduate student at Harvard University in Boston, Massachusetts, she has a year left of study toward her degree in Social Sciences with a concentration in Government. Presently, Meagan has taken the year off from her Harvard program to study abroad at the University of Auckland, New Zealand, deepening her understanding of challenges that face Pacific Islander communities and creating viable solutions to address those challenges.  When she completes this, she will return to Harvard to finish her degree work.

To support Meagan’s journey as she strives for the 2014 Miss United States crown at the pageant that takes place July 1-6 in Washington, D.C., you can find out voting information by going to the following Facebook fan pages:

https://www.facebook.com/MissUnitedStatesOrganization and

https://www.facebook.com/missamericansamoa

Interested individuals who would like to represent American Samoa in future beauty contests can contact the Miss American Samoa United States Organization by emailing: directormissamericansamoaus@gmail.com

Source: Miss American Samoa United States Organization