Miss Ukraine Universe 2011

Stefanko, who stands 1.76 m (5 ft 9 in) tall, competed as one of 15 finalists in her country's national beauty pageant, Miss Ukraine Universe, held in Kyiv on 11 December 2010, where she became the eventual winner of the title, gaining the right to represent Ukraine in the 2011 Miss Universe pageant.^[4]

Miss Universe 2011

The following September, Stefanko placed first runner-up at Miss Universe 2011, which stands as Ukraine's highest placement at any Big Four Beauty Pageant.^[5][6]

During the final question and answer portion of the competition Stefanko was asked a question and read by judge Miss Universe 2003 Amelia Vega of the Dominican Republic: "If you could trade lives with anyone in history, who would it be and why?", Stefanko replied:

”I simply live my life and I’m very satisfied with it. But if I did have the chance to trade positions with someone I think I would choose Cleopatra. I think she is a very powerful and strong woman who is very much worthy of respect. And I think a woman could also be a leader like Cleopatra.”