Miss Universe® Canada 2008 - The Magic Continues

AGE: 24 | HEIGHT: 5'8" | HOMETOWN: NORTH YORK, ON

Lyudmyla Tregubenko was born in Kiev, the Ukraine. She spent most of her childhood in the south part of the Ukraine, Crimea. There she graduated from Partenit Music School majoring in violin and piano.

Not only that experience gave Lyudmyla a strong appreciation and knowledge for classical music, but it also allowed her to perform in various European countries such as Ukraine, Russia, Holland, Germany, Poland and Austria.

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Biography (click to open) ±

At the age of 14, Lyudmyla and her family immigrated to Canada. \Today she stands as a Broadcast Journalism graduate and is pursuing a career as a TV Journalist. She is proud to say she has worked for names like Entertainment Tonight Canada, SUNTV and SLICE. In the future, Lyudmyla plans to become a recognized TV personality.

In her free time, Lyudmyla enjoys studying Fitness and Nutrition. She is currently enrolled in a Personal Training course and will become a certified personal trainer this year. Lyudmyla believes a person's well being is a combination of a healthy life style and strong intellectual pursuits.

Lyudmyla is also involved in Love In Action Charity where she and others help raise funds to change lives of homeless in our city. Lyudmyla is a passionate, hard working individual who strongly believes in the power of positive thinking.

Questionnaire (click to open) ±

Are you currently a student? No

Are you currently employed? Yes
If yes, what is your occupation? TV Producer/Reporter

Have you completed secondary school? Yes
If yes, where? Northview Heights Secondary School

Have you completed university/college? If yes, where?
Yes. Seneca@York College

Have you completed any technical/professional school? If yes, where? What subject?
Yes. Partenit Music School, Ukraine, Majored in Violin, and Piano as a second instrument.
Partenit Art School, Ukraine

Languages spoken Fluently (please include your native language if English is not your native language)
Russian, Ukrainian and English

List any special training you have had (music, art, drama, dance, etc).
Music
Art

In what sports, if any, have you participated and how long have you participated in each sport?
Basketball-High School
Water polo- High school
Swim Team -High School

Please list any schools and universities (public/private/graduate/trade or technical) you have or are attending, as well as the area of study, graduation date and any degree or certification you received.
Seneca@ York
Broadcast Journalism program
Diploma in Broadcast Journalism
Graduated in June 2006

What charity/charities have you supported with your time and/or resources over past two years?
Love in action Charity

What would be your "dream job" in life?
On-air TV personality; host for my own TV talk show

Name one person, other than your parents, who has had the most influence on your life? Why?
My older sister, Alexandra Nikitchina. We are eight years apart, and since I was a little girl, I have always looked up to her. She is currently in Africa working in international development. This is her third time there now and she is proud to be helping those in need. She is a very positive person who is not afraid to go after what she wants. Watching my sister do what she loves and be so successful at it gives me motivation to pursue my dreams and goals.

What is the proudest personal accomplishment (other than being in this or any other beauty pageant competition)?
Getting my education (Diploma in Broadcast journalism) and following my dream without giving up. (Getting a job within my industry that is so hard and at times can be very discouraging)

What is your career ambition and what are you doing or plan to do to accomplish that goal?
As a graduate of Broadcast Journalism program, my career ambition is to become a recognized TV personality/journalist.
I am currently working as a TV producer where I am expending my skill and knowledge in a production field. I really enjoy producing but my ultimate goal is to be on-air. I am currently enrolled in speech classes to improve my accent, as well as going out for auditions.

Describe where you were raised and what your childhood was like.
I was raised in the south part of the Ukraine, Crimea, located right on the seashore of the Black Sea. It was a small little resort town that was popular for its beautiful scenery and beaches.

Besides my elementary and middle schools, I was also enrolled in music school. I have spent seven years juggling two schools at once. Music school, where I majored in violin as a main instrument and piano as a second, gave me an opportunity to learn about classical music, travel to different parts of Europe and learn how to be a hard worker. I have always been an A student in both middle and music schools. Once I graduated music school, I quickly enrolled myself into an art school. It's something I've always wanted to do but never got a chance because of the busy schedule. I spent almost two years going to art school before my family and I immigrated to Canada.

List any volunteering you have done.
Entertainment Tonight Canada - Librarian Assistant
Toronto Film Festival 2006- Red Carpet Assistant
NBN Productions- Assistant producer
Slice Network "WEDDING SOS"-researcher

Where is the most interesting place you have been?
China! I went there to compete for miss Global Beauty! It definitely changed my perspective on life realizing there is a whole other world out there! The food, the culture, the people- it was all so different from what I am used to. It was interesting to learn and understand the way people live in that country. It was also very exciting to meet girls all over the world competing for the same title. Everyone was so unique! I made lots of friends and have learnt a lot about myself along the way.

What makes you unique and different from the other contestants?
As someone who has lived in this country for only ten years, I have a unique appreciation for the beauty, the culture and the opportunity that Canada has to offer.

What is your philosophy of/in life?
To always give your 100% so when you look back, even if the outcome is not what you've expected, at least you can have no regrets knowing that you gave it all.

What do you hope to be doing in 10 years?
Hosting my own TV show, directing and writing.

Is there anything you would like to tell us about yourself? Something unique that has happened to you? Some interesting thing about you?
I was never interesting in leading a healthy way of life before entering this contest. I was never into working out or maintaining a healthy diet. I never enjoyed or knew how to cook and was one of those fast food consumers. However, as soon as I entered this contest, I started to pay more attention to my weight and my overall well-being. I realized that by just eating certain foods, I could feel and look better. I started paying more attention to ingredients and discovered the importance of nutrition.

Before I knew it, I was making myself little meals that contained all the right amount of carbs, fats and protein. I started to feel more energy and my body was getting into a better shape. I still couldn't get myself to start working out, but it was after the regional pageant when I realized I had to, if I really want to succeed in this contest.

It has been six months now since I've joined a gym. I've been working out with a personal trainer and I can't even explain the change I feel in my over all being. Not only have I started to notice a definition in my body, but also this boost of energy, motivation and overall happiness. I started consulting my friends and family about fitness and nutrition based on the knowledge I've gathered over these six months. I enjoyed it so much that I joined a personal training course so I can learn more and become a certified personal trainer.

While pursuing a career in TV Journalism, I want to also help others to change their lives the same way fitness changed mine. Considering the fact that I had a heart surgery at the age of 9, I can't even explain what a favour I did to myself by turning my life around. I know that if not for this contest, I would still be one of those people getting pizza or McDonalds for lunch. The finals are almost here and I am already so grateful for what this experience has done for me and the way it turned my life around.