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Young Russians Moved by ‘Inner Beauty Pageant’
Written by Anna Kozlitina
Saturday, April 25, 2015
Moscow, Russia—In the weeks leading up to the "Mr. and Miss University 2015" finale, the nine finalists came to realize “What was important is not the title, but the path that I followed.”
Writing their reflections afterward, the contestants made such comments as: “The objective of this contest was … giving the participants an opportunity … to change for the better!” “The contest for me was a good soil, which I continue to fertilize!” “The pageant … opened a new world for me.” “I have expanded the circle of people whom I now consider my second family!” “I’m still cherishing the sea of positive emotions in my heart.”
The "Mr. and Miss University” competition is known as a beauty pageant of character and lifestyle, not just external appearance and talents. The finale took place in the House of Culture of the Russian State Social University on April 25, 2015.
Following are excerpts from the reflections of the nine finalists, collected by the winner of the Miss University 2015 crown, Anna Kozlitina:
The concert is already over, the music stopped. ... What remains in our hearts—in the hearts of those who have got through the competition from start to finish? It's time for each to share impressions!
Clara Klarkina, "Miss Style 2015": Participation in the "Mr. and Miss University 2015" pageant for me was something special that made us shake off the patina of everyday life and find the way toward new achievements! In preparing for the finale, we were together with other participants and organizers of the competition almost six months. During this time we not only came to know each other better, but also became really good friends, having discovered anew the people we already knew. The objective of this contest was not just giving the participants an opportunity to show their best qualities but also to look at themselves with the eyes of others, to rethink their actions and values, and change for the better! Social projects, roundtables and workshops engendered in many of us radically new thoughts, intentions followed by actions. I would like to thank the organizers of the contest who day and night were helping in word and deed, giving real-life lessons on unselfish mutual aid!
Roman Lee, "Mr. Talent 2015": After the day passed for which we all had prepared so much,I was overwhelmed with emotion! I won in three nominations: Mr. Talent, Mr. Uniqueness and Mr. Audience! I want to express my gratitude to my family members for their support, understanding, love and care; to my mother and brothers, who were always there! I want to say a big “Thank You!” to my dear friends for supporting and assisting me throughout the contest, for their kind words and warm wishes, for their believing in me, for having come from the other end of Moscow to support me on this rainy Saturday!!! Thank you! Thanks, everyone!!! I would like to express my warm gratitude to the organizers: Elena, Darya, Katya, Sasha and Masha, and the whole team, for this cool event!!! The participants of the contest, you are very cool and mega-positive!!! I was happy to meet you, collaborate, communicate, and now become friends! I am sincerely happy for Anya and Pasha!!!! You are a big rock!))) Participation in the contest helps us understand how many relatives and friends one has! Thank you all for being with me during this event! I wish you good luck, much goodness, and love!!! I am your Roma Lee!!!
Elena Kitchenko, "Miss Talent 2015": I at first did not really understand what it was, but gradually I realized what kind of competition it was, and what kind of people were the contestants! I have always been interested in attending beauty contests, but this one was special! It was like my dreams realized. I had long wanted to visit a children’s home, and, behold, I was given this opportunity. As for the emotions after the visit, they overwhelmed me! These kids encouraged me, showed how important in our world is support, the warm attitude of others, mutual help! Besides, at the contest I met good and openhearted people! All this is very important to me! Finally, we became very close friends! This contest gave me experience and a lot of new friends! One thing I know for sure: The contest for me was a good soil, which I continue to fertilize! Thanks to the organizers for this opportunity!!
Yuri Upadyshev, "Mr. Good Heart 2015": The pageant opened a new world for me. I participated in a variety of volunteer projects. Helping children turned out to be an amazingly nice and easy action!
Irina Lnenichka, "Miss Good Heart 2015": At the competition I felt a whole variety of emotions: I was laughing and crying, but felt quite happy! Most importantly, I have expanded the circle of people whom I now consider my second family!
Grigory Panferov, "Vice Mr. University 2015": For me, the pageant "Mr. and Miss University" was a real eye-opener. I met really good, open, creative and spiritual people who live for the sake of others, never expecting anything in return. In the modern world, where values such as love and helping one's neighbor are considered archaic concepts, it is very important when we get together to share goodness! These five months helped me to understand that goodness begins with small things like little droplets that gradually can fill this world with happiness and joy! I would like to express my gratitude to the organizers of the contest for their efforts for the sake of world peace! After the final, I’m still cherishing the sea of positive emotions in my heart, which are for me the greatest treasures in the world!
Olga Bushueva, "Vice Miss University 2015”: I never stop smiling from ear to ear when sharing with friends or discussing with the participants of "Mr. and Miss University." A very bright, kind and open contest, and I am very happy to have become a part of this event! Guys, thank you for our meetings, the high-spirited rehearsals, for the fun of fellowship, and good deeds! The contest is over, but it is only the beginning!
Paul Shlyakhin, "Mr. University 2015": It was fun. If you want details, for me the contest went from February to April, and the finale was something like a performance. At one point I even lost interest; the meaning of the competition seemed unclear. But last night was the deadline, and I started thorough preparations for the finale. I created two videos, selected the music, and began preparing my performance. The finale was quiet enough; the atmosphere was very friendly, I liked everything! The audience was also very friendly and supportive. At the awarding I had a strange feeling of unreality, but after a couple of days I felt proud that what I live for and what I think of is still in demand. And the most important thing for me after the finale is that it is just the beginning!
And I, "Miss University 2015," also would like to share my feelings. My personal victory was the realization that "happiness is not the goal, happiness is the way." I feel that this is indeed the case, thanks to this competition. After the finale, awards, warm words of support and admiration, I came to the conclusion: What was important is not the title, but the path that I followed. I realized that all the events I attended, the hours spent in painstaking preparation for the final, the rehearsals together with other participants – all these are the components of the great happiness that the competition brought to me. The feeling that I was not alone; my confidence that I was on the right track—these are the values that people have given to me in this contest! And the finale itself was just a summing-up, in which all that was done was shaped into a material form. Now, I do feel that everything around me is all I have. And the happiness is right here, inside me, this very moment! I feel grateful to the competition, the organizers, all participants, and everyone who was there, for such a unique opportunity to open myself and see the other side of the world! Thank you!!! This experience will be forever in my heart!
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