Beauty queen models life of faith

A Ukrainian beauty queen shared a message of upholding Christian values in a world obsessed with appearances Tuesday to a crowd of Spokane’s Slavic community.

Lika Roman was crowned Miss Ukraine in 2007 and is touring America, speaking at churches and to youth and city groups. Tuesday’s talk was her first of three scheduled in the Spokane area this week.

Organizer Tatyana Bistrevsky called it a rare opportunity for Spokane’s Slavic population to come together and hear a message many couldn’t have heard in the countries they left years ago.

“People have to understand that she’s coming from a country where Christians were persecuted,” Bistrevsky said. “This is a unique conversation and event for our Slavic community.”

The event was aimed at Slavic and American teens, Bistrevsky said. Miss Spokane Alyssa Fennell and Miss Spokane’s Outstanding Teen McKenzi Novell introduced Roman, who spoke about her life leading up to her pageant win and encouraged audience members to stay true to themselves by staying true to God.

“God gave me this great title as a responsibility,” she told the crowd of about 120 through an interpreter. “One thing we are lacking right now is people we can look up to.”

Roman, 22, said she’s a virgin and doesn’t believe in dating. But she does believe in true love.

“What I do is I ask God what he thinks about that guy, because he knows a lot better,” she said. “I truly live a genuine Christian life.”

Spokane resident Alex Kaprian brought his daughter’s youth group to hear Roman speak. The message of maintaining morals and keeping faith is one everyone should hear, Kaprian said.

“I wish the whole youth of our city could hear this message,” he said.

Natalya Gaydarzhi, of Spokane, brought her three children to hear Roman speak. The message was powerful, she said.

“Being beautiful doesn’t mean you need to sell your beauty to every other person you meet in your life,” Gaydarzhi said.

Roman will meet informally with Slovak teens today, then speak Friday at 7 p.m. at the Center of Life church, 13328 E. Wellesley, and Saturday at 7 p.m. at God’s Embassy Church, 1012 S. Freya.

“This is such a great opportunity to bring people together,” Bistrevsky said. “We don’t have a lot of events that encourage youth participation.”