A YOUNG woman from Dinas Powys has been selected as a Miss Wales 2022 finalist.

18-year-old Anna Mears from Dinas Powys is a triathlete and a sport enthusiast who constantly strives for improvement. She qualified to represent Britain in Canada in 2020, but this was cancelled due to the Covid pandemic.

In her early years she loved horse riding and volunteered at Downs-Side Riding Centre in Sully to care for horses and gain hands on experience. Currently she is a junior athlete ambassador for sports wear company, Sundried, and hopes to promote young women in sport.

Ms Mears is also a proud volunteer for Age Cymru, helping avoid loneliness in older people by talking wih them. 

She is currently studying her A-Levels at St Cyres School, hoping to study nursing in university so that she can help the vulnerable. In Year 12 she was form captain, helping organise school events, and she previously completed the bronze Duke Of Edinburgh award.

Ms Mears said: “I’m really excited for 2022 and the adventures in store through the Miss Wales competition.

"My priority is to fundraise for the Miss World charity, Beauty With A Purpose, and to spread the Miss Wales message of confidence in young women.

"I’m also looking forward to all the friends and memories I’ll make along the way.”

Anna Mears is in need of commercial sponsors to get her to the Miss Wales 2022 final which will take place in May and involve a three-day event.

This will include:

  • An empowerment day designed to boost the confidence of contestants;
  • The Miss Wales Charity Ball in aid of the Miss World charity Beauty With A Purpose;
  • A catwalk event in front of an audience and panel of judges.

The events will take place in the Holland House Hotel in Cardiff and Riverfront Theatre in Newport.

In the run up to the final, the girls will undertake a series of challenges including raising money for Beauty With A Purpose, taking part in a random act of kindess day on St David's Day, and hosting events to mark International Women's Day on March 8.

Finalists will also experience modelling, photoshoots, and working with the media.

Miss Wales organiser, Paula Abbandonato, said: “Miss Wales is committed to Beauty With A Purpose and that means empowering young women and raising money for good causes through the glamour and fun of pageantry.

"The girls get to make great friends and experience new opportunities while really doing their bit for charity.”

The current Miss Wales is 19-year-old Olivia Harris from Magor. The reigning Miss World is Toni-Ann Singh from Jamaica.

The last time Wales won Miss World was in 1974 when Helen Morgan from Barry took the crown.

The new Miss Wales will represent Wales at Miss World 2022 at the end of next year. She will also win a prize package of clothes, haircare, skincare, jewellery and a photographic portfolio as well as a year of VIP experiences while supporting a number of children’s charities in Wales.