They say the first year is a time to look around. While the university is just opening to new students, Ekaterina Demidenko, a first-year student at the Faculty of Marketing, Management and Entrepreneurship, is already performing on the stage of the theater circle, is on the list of participants of the "Spring of BNTU" and is a finalist of the "Miss BNTU - 2026".
For a girl, the theme of the "Take a step towards yourself" contest is not just a beautiful slogan, but a very specific experience that she tries on herself.
– It's about overcoming your boundaries, about going through yourself and eventually getting closer to yourself. Not in the sense of some big discovery, but in the sense of small but honest steps. When you do something that seemed impossible, and suddenly you realize: but it turns out that I can.
– Was there a moment when you suddenly looked at yourself in a new way?
– Waltz at the school graduation. We rehearsed for a long time, and at some point I realized that I could do more than I thought. I realized that the obstacles that seemed insurmountable are just steps. I've been trying to remember that feeling ever since.
Ekaterina has eight years of piano music school under her belt. She passed the final exam, but along with relief she felt sad: warm relations had developed with the teachers. The experience of many years of self–improvement – discipline, the ability to go to the goal - remained with her forever.
From the very first weeks at the university, she took an active pace: FMMP Drive, freshman day, "Spring of BNTU", casting for STEM, theater club – and this is only the first year. She had no serious stage experience, but she passed the casting.
– I have a certain charisma, my own energy. I really like to communicate with people, and I think you can always feel the warmth that comes from me.
– What is more important to you – achievements or self-knowledge?
– Both are important here. Self–knowledge is the foundation. And achievement is already a success for yourself, an opportunity to understand that you deserve more and have something to strive for further.
The modern world knows how to convince you what to look like, what to think about, when to take risks, and when to wait. The contestant has her own position on this, and it's pretty simple.
– When they say "don't go, wait for the next time," I don't listen to it. If possible, you should definitely try it. There may not be a next time. It's better to do it and regret the result than regret that you didn't try at all.
The finalist knows how to distinguish her own from someone else's, and she explains it simply.
– One's opinion comes from the heart, and the imposed one comes rather from the head. You understand with your head, as is customary. And the heart tells you what you really want. I try to listen to the latter when it comes to true desires.
Ekaterina began her journey to self-acceptance long before the competition. There was a time when she wasn't confident in her abilities, but now she's accepted herself.
– For a long time I doubted myself. However, meeting with the right people and their support helped me to reconsider these attitudes. Now I see that beauty and intelligence are qualities that I really have.
In performing on stage as part of the competition, she sees not the final point, but an opportunity to look at herself from a new perspective and continue what has already begun. The girl talks widely about the future:
– Any ending is just a comma. There will be new opportunities, new scenes, new versions of yourself. The main thing is not to close down and keep trying. After a few years, I see myself as brave, determined, and confident..
We thank Ekaterina for the interview. We wish you to perform well at the finals and continue to achieve your goals!
