Laura Chukanova: Miss Utah USA 2009. Photo by Justin Grant
Bulgarian, Laura Chukanova, has become Miss Utah USA 2009 and will now go on to represent the Beehive state in the prestigious Miss USA pageant on April 19, The Salt Lake Tribune reported Friday.
Miss Utah USA 2009 wasn't Chukanova's first pageant. She also participated last year and finished as third runner-up. When she was 17, she took part in Miss Sandy pageant.
"It's not about being skinny at all," Chukanova said, adding that her size 8 was good enough to win the title. "... It's about being healthy."
Chukanova said she is not nervous about the upcoming Miss USA pageant, but she most likely will be as the date approaches. She doesn't do anything special to prepare herself for the competition, except working out every day and staying healthy.
"Don't think about what judges might want," she said. "Say and do what you really want, and it'll come off better, so that's my strategy: just to be myself."
Chukanova, 22, is currently a senior majoring in international studies and minoring in leadership studies and art history. She works at U's Career Services as a peer adviser and helps students write resumes, cover letters and get involved with extracurricular activities to build their resumes.
"She has taken the initiative to really help us develop some programming to let students know leadership roles are important to employees," said Stan Inman, Career Services director.
Chukanova came to the Salt Lake City, United States from Sofia, Bulgaria, when she was a 5-year-old girl. Her father is a scientist who was invited to California for research purposes. His work then brought him and his family to Utah in the early 1990s.
"For the people that come here and follow their path, it's possible to improve their life and become better," said Chukanova.