BY INDY MAEALASIA
GROWING up, 20-year-old Sharllyma Aruhane was captivated by the glitter and glam of the Miss Solomon Islands Pageant, eagerly following it year after year. It had never crossed her mind that she would one day compete herself.
However, fast forward to 2024, and Aruhane finds herself vying for the prestigious title, competing as Miss Coral Sea Resort & Casino.
As a young woman, Aruhane is driven by a fiery passion to help others of her gender.
“I have a passion to help other young girls and women realize their worth,” she remarked.
Upon her return from the Marshall Islands earlier this year, where she spent eight years, Aruhane soon realized her calling to advocate for ending violence against women and girls.
“I realize that domestic violence is an issue, and this has motivated me to join the pageant and try to advocate for the issue,” Aruhane said.
Hailing from East Are’Are, Malaita Province, and Simbo, Western Province, Aruhane is a first-year law student at the University of the South Pacific (USP), the second of three siblings, and is making history for her family.
“I would be the very first one in my family to ever contest in the Miss Solomon Islands Pageant,” she said proudly.
Aruhane’s journey to the pageant was inspired by her mother, Esther Aruhane, whom she sees as a “role model” and deeply adores.
“My role mother is my own mother; she is hardworking; she has gone through a lot of struggles, but she has never shown this to her children and kept it all to herself.” Aruhane beamed while describing her beloved mother.
“As I grew older, I started realizing what she went through and regarded her as a strong woman. I want to have those qualities,” she said.
Her mother initially pushed her to give it a try. “I was hesitant at first because it would be my first time and I didn’t know what to expect, so eventually afterwards, I decided to participate,” Aruhane said.
Reflecting on the memorial moment she was selected as a contestant, Aruhane felt a surge of shock, excitement, and worry all at the same time.
“I was worried, as I have always struggled with self-doubt. I thought I wasn’t good enough to join, but when the feedback came and I was accepted and I was representing Coral Sea Resort, I was happy. I was like, is this real?” she said.
The journey ahead to the crowning night on August 31st proves to be an exciting but competitive one; however, Aruhane is excited for what is to come.
“For me though, if i do not take the crown; it is still okay because I have learned something from the show, and I could keep that for the rest of my life,” she said optimistically
