As part of the 71st annual Miss Universe Pageant, Carnival Cruise Line President Christine Duffy awarded Miss Ukraine Victoria Apanasenko the "Spirit of Carnival" for embodying the company's values of fun, friendship, diversity, and inclusion. The Spirit of Carnival award was presented during the Miss Universe pageant in New Orleans. 

"Viktoria Apanasenko has made it her mission to remind us that the war is on and that people across Ukraine are working to support their military, as well as their war-affected neighbors — especially those displaced from their homes," Carnival Cruise Line president Christine Duffy said 

"I am impressed by Victoria's strength and her kind and giving the character that truly embodies the 'Spirit of Carnival.' And with this recognition, we also let the citizens of Ukraine, and especially our Ukrainian crew members, know that we continue to support and admire their spirit as well.” 

Apanasenko serves as the UN Global Compact Ambassador of Peace in Ukraine. She graduated from Taras Shevchenko National University of Kyiv, with a master's degree in social work and focused on domestic violence. Overcoming bullying during her school years inspired her to work on mental health issues. Since the beginning of the war in Ukraine, she has worked to provide food, medicine and hygiene products to Ukrainian families. She also intends to raise awareness of the importance of gender equality in the military through her work with The Female Quotient, an organization founded to advance gender equality in the workplace. 

This is the third time that a Miss Universe delegate has received the "Spirit of Carnival" award. Last year, Miss Universe Bahamas Chantel O'Brian was chosen for the award. During the 2021 pageant, Miss Universe Dominican Republic Kimberly Jimenez received the award and was also named the godmother of Mardi Gras.