In just few hours, a new Miss Wales will be crowned who will represent Wales at the Miss World 2017 pageant. The finale of the pageant is scheduled to be held on 8th April 2017 at Newport's Riverfront Arts Centre. A total of 32 beauties are vying for the coveted title.
The finalists are all geared up for the gala finale, and have been occupied with various events and activities as part of their Preliminary Activities. The girls took part in an "empowerment day", to improve their self-confidence. The event was a great move by the organisation to boost up the self confidence of the girls, and give them a lesson on empowering self. As an empowering exercise, the girls were each given a wooden board on which they had to write a positive thought or wish.
After writing their wishes, the girls were asked to break the wooden boards with bare hands as a sign of achievement. "It has been an amazing day all about empowering women and smashing out negativity, focusing on the positive. I've learnt with a positive mindset you can achieve anything and this starts from within you" said one contestant Hannah Williams. Another finalist, Vicky Prior said, "I walked in to the empowerment day not knowing what to expect, but definitely walked out as a better and more confident person. And it's definitely made me believe that anything is possible if you just believe in yourself."
The finale will see the contestants compete through a series of preliminary competitions, including the swimsuit and evening gown rounds, and the final interview with the judges. Below are the 32 finalists competing for the Miss Wales 2017 title...
Sophie Victoria Norris – 21 year old Sophie is a nursery assistant for the NHS.
Molly Absalom – 17 year old Molly is currently studying law, sociology and health care at Coleg y Cymoedd.
Miriam Collett – 23 year old Miriam is an illustration graduate, model and Youtuber for Milk and Blush.
Hannah Elizabeth Williams – 23 year old Hannah is a business management graduate from Cardiff University.
Maya Isabella Christie – 17 year old Maya hails from Port Talbot.
Emma Davies – 23 year old Emma is an international business management graduate from Cardiff Unversity and events manager.
Nia Jayne Harries – 20 year old Nia Jayne Harries is a personal trainer who runs her own business, NH Fitness & Personal training.
Erica Henderson – 24 year old Erica from Tongwynla is an optician graduate at Cardiff University is the co-founder the Shake It Off charity - a community for people who struggle to socialise to dance together.
Meredith Isherwood – 23 year old Meredith is a classics and archaeology graduate.
Jayde Reader – 24 year old Jayde is an events manager from Cwmbran.
Moi Jones – 21 year old Moi from Llanrwst, said her main goal and ambition is to be "the first coloured Miss Wales".
Ellie Jones – 20 year old Ellie Jones hails from Rhyl.
Olivia-Kate Larkman – 19 year old Olivia is a law student at Cardiff University.
Louise Hughes – 19 year old Louise from Llantrisant, will compete in Miss Wales for the second time.
Eleanor Lewis – 17 year old Eleanor is a Cowbridge Comprehensive student studying A levels in history, sociology, biology and the Welsh Baccalaureate.
Paige Lewis – 18 year old Paige from Abertillery, is a fashion marketing student at the University of South Wales.
Shannon Lewis – 21 year old Shannon from Neath, studies primary education at the University of Wales Trinity Saint David.
Autumn Masonn – 18 year old Autumn from Nantyglo is a children's entertainer.
Elle Morey – 17 year old Elle is an A-Level student at Porthcawl Comprehensive.
Maryanne Petrinolis – 18 year old Maryanne said she is "blessed" to have been selected as a finalist in Miss Wales 2017.
Naiomi Morris – 21 year old Naiomi Morris is a pharmacy student at Cardiff University.
Tiffany Pope – 19 year old Tiffany is a student nurse at the University of South Wales.
Vicky Prior – 19 year old Vicky is a support worker for children with autism, from Pembroke.
Keshia Taylor – 24 year old Keshia is a media and communications graduate from Cardiff.
Emma Twist – 18 year old Emma from Rhyl is a business and international tourism management at the University of Chester.
Cally White – 17 year old Cally is a sixth form student from Flint.
Emilia Jane Williams – 17 year old Emilia is a public service student from Anglesey.
Chelsey Dennis – 22 year old Chelsey said she hopes to "make a difference" by helping children "who haven't been so blessed in life".
Shelley Ann Simmonds – 20 year old Shelley Ann is a dance teacher by profession.
Madonna-Louise Masefield – 18 year old Madonna Louise said: "I love meeting new people and being a Miss Wales finalist allows me to do exactly that.
Awen Vaughan Jones – 16 year old Awen from Blaenau Ffestiniog will represent Gwynedd in Miss Wales 2017.
Zoe Scrimshaw -19 year old Zoe is a law student at Swansea University from Chepstow.