Sinia Maile
Hometown: West Valley City, Utah
Tongan Utahn, University Neighborhood Partners and Gault Center
My family came from Tonga to West Valley City and we’ve been here ever since. Utah was home to my parents after being born in the islands. They attended the city’s rival high schools then met later in life and started their family of eight here. When the building of Mountain View Corridor began, we had to move to Utah County, which was a culture shock but a blessing in disguise because it afforded me the opportunity to attend the Utah County Academy of Sciences, where I earned my Associates degree from Utah Valley University with my high school diploma. Since then I’ve been able to earn my bachelor’s degree at the University of Utah where I also hope to continue my education to give back to my city. I am the 2023 Miss West Valley City as part of the Miss Utah Scholarship Pageant, where I hope to change the narrative around the village that made me the woman I am today.
Sinia’s Top Places, Spaces, & Things that Help Make Utah Home:
- Redwood Drive In
- Chuck-a-Rama (buffet, family-style)
- Festival of Trees
- Beautiful holiday tradition for a good cause!
- Beautiful holiday tradition for a good cause!
- Football Holy War
- University of Utah versus Brigham Young University Football!
- University of Utah versus Brigham Young University Football!
- Friendly Island Tongan Festival
“Don’t be afraid to create space for yourself; if you’re lucky enough, you’ll find others trying to do the same. Luck favors the bold and creatives create the world!”
Sinia Maile