As voting at the annual
Miss Atom-2008 beauty contest for female workers of nuclear industry is running at full gear with, we interviewed last year winner Yelena Kamenskaya to find out whether anything new has happened in her life, what is her vision of future contests and do the notions “a beauty contest” and “nuclear industry” match.
Nuclear.Ru: How has your life changed after the contest? If anything interesting has happened since?
Ye. Kamenskaya: The contest has become a bright and unforgettable event of my life. I’ve got new acquaintances and friends; I’ve started taking part in events I’ve never even had a slightest idea about. A vine testing, for instance. And the Nuclear Worker’s Day for me now is something like the New Year Holiday with fireworks and pop-stars shows! Besides, winters have become warmer.
Nuclear.Ru: Have your colleagues, bosses changed their attitudes to you?
Ye. Kamenskaya: Two days after the contest had ended, we were celebrating the International Women’s Day in our office. All of a sudden, my boss stands up and says: “Lena, you must know, my attitude to you as a colleague has not changed, and I love you very much!” And everyone around was saying like this. Though, I think it has changed…
Nuclear.Ru: Did the contest and the victory help you to feel yourself more confident both as a personality and professional?
Ye. Kamenskaya: Certainly. It’s like ads: “before” and “after”. Moreover, it’s a great motivation to improve. My near-term plans are to learn several foreign languages, visit different countries, get two higher education certificates and take part in the contest “… but smart”.
Nuclear.Ru: How did your attitude changed towards nuclear power after the contesting?
Ye. Kamenskaya: Now, I nearly love it! It’s nice to recognize that such a serious field like nuclear values not only professionalism but also beauty.
Nuclear.Ru: Did you want to take part again? Maybe, your friends and acquaintances tried to get you in?
Ye. Kamenskaya: There was a wish; many people advised to take part, but I decided just to observe this year.
Nuclear.Ru: Have you received any interesting career-related proposals after having won the contest?
Ye. Kamenskaya: There have been career-related proposals but no so interesting. I’m sure, that's not the half of the story!
Nuclear.Ru: What is your vision of the contest’s future?
Ye. Kamenskaya: Atompressa newspaper’s issue of 10 March 2014: “The annual contest Miss Atom has found its winners yet again. 250 girls out of 20,000 contestants got awards in different nominations with the top winner going to the Moon Voyage from Plesetsky Moonport. The launch is scheduled for 9 May 2014. Other prizes (a house on Beverly Hills, ocean liner) will be shared by other contestant…” It’s a joke! In fact, there will be much more contestants and the event itself of a greater scale. Thanks a lot to the contest organizers. Well done. Voting, prizes, award ceremony, everything is thought through. And since beauty is eternal, the contest has a wonderful and bright future.
Nuclear.Ru: Does the contest contribute to strengthening positive attitudes to nuclear?
Ye. Kamenskaya: For many people nuclear industry is normally perceived as something classified, closely secured and dangerous. But such contests make people to look at it at a different angle, through a prism of charm, femininity and beauty. They justly say: “Beauty is a deadly weapon!” And also that it will save the world.
Nuclear.Ru: What would you wish to the today’s contestants?
Ye. Kamenskaya: I wish the contestants self-confidence, patience, luck and successes! You’ll do it! Dreams come true!
