On Saturday 4th February 2012, 32 of Wales' most talented, articulate and inspirational women from around the country gathered together at Buckland Hall, near Brecon in a celebration of femininity, grace and inner strength.
After registration, all the ladies gathered for an introduction session. All the finalists, Sarah and Aisling gathered to talk about the day ahead and allow everyone to get better aquainted.
We learnt more about all of the incredible women that we'd be spending the day with, and their inspirational stories.
This was
followed shortly by rehearsals where our wonderful choreographer,
Aisling O'Reilly set to work getting the ladies ready for the
evening's show.
We selected 6 inspirational women to tackle the impossible task of choosing a winner from our 32 beautiful finalists.
Our judges were; award-winning entrepreneur - Jodi Anderson; Miss Earth-Wales 2008 - Louise Hinder; MasterChef contestant & former Miss GB Charity - Alice Kiley; Miss Wales 2010 & classical singer - Courtenay Hamilton; founder of the award-winning Stardust Boutique - Kylie Hearne; and selfless social worker, Andora Wild
Next, the judges and the finalists gathered for their individual private interviews. This the first chance out judges get to meet the finalists and is an opportunity to get to know our girls and find out how unique and amazing they each are.
The interviews were set in an informal and relaxed setting with both judges and contestants alike, thoroughly enjoying themselves.
It's showtime!
After opening words from our vivacious host, Jonathan and a representative from our chosen charity B-eat, it was time to meet the girls once more...
The ladies opened up the show in a spectacular manner, in outfits expressing their personalities and individualism.
The girls shimmied, strutted and skipped their way down the catwalk to the lyrical musings of the likes of Lady Gaga, Tom Jones and KC & The Sunshine Band.
Here, we gave the judges and the audience a better chance to get to know our contestants.
They glided down our catwalk looking fabulous in incredible dresses with help from our sponsor - Stardust Boutique. Whilst Vision Hair Design in Neath ensured that their hair and make up looked as wonderful as the girls themselves.
Jonathan Millard, our host told us more about each girl.
We got to hear about their lives, hobbies and ambitions, with some generously opening up about their personal struggles and what inspired them stand on that stage.
This is the first time that the audience gets to hear from the finalists themselves and shows off their ability to think on the spot, demonstrates their public speaking skills and gives an insight to their thoughts, opinions and personalities.
Questions asked included:
What is your definition of success?
What is the biggest challenge that young women face today?
What makes you proud to be a woman?
Who or what inspires you the most?
What is beauty according to you?
If aliens arrived in Wales today intending to destroy it – how would you convince them not to?
What would you say to the people that say that beauty pageants are
anti-feminist and derogatory to women?
What have you gained from taking part in Miss Heart of Wales?
Miss Heart of Wales is represented by the colours red and gold, red for Wales, and gold for the colour of our finalists’ hearts. What colour represents you?
After a break where the contestants got to spend some time with their supporters, friends and families, it was time for the results.
We welcomed Miss Heart of Wales founde, Sarah Fleming on stage to announce all of the results which were collated by our finance director, and Accounting student, Yudi Fleming.
We began with our named prizes.
The results were as follows:
Miss Elegant Heart
Kelly Rowland
Awarded to the lady deemed most stylish, or "elegant"
Chosen by Kylie Hearne who also kindly donated a prize of a bag and shoes from Stardust Boutique
Miss Eloquent Heart
Alexandra Morgan
Awarded to the lady who is deemed most "eloquent" or well-spoken
Chosen by our judges - awarded to the girl who scored highest in both the private interviews and on-stage question
Miss Shared Heart
Emily Frowen
Awarded to the girl who raised the most publicity for herself, and won the public vote
The winner received a bonus 10 points
Miss Sunny Heart
Natalie Roderick
Awarded to the girl who smiled all day long, showing off her sunny disposition
Chosen by choreographer - Aisling O'Reilly
Miss Every Heart
Beth Thomas
A very special award as it's chosen by their peers. Each finalist votes for the contestant they think is the most congenial
Miss Compassionate Heart
Crystal Jones
Our most prestigious award - this goes to the contestant who raised the most money for charity. Crystal raised a staggering £1005 for charity and was awarded a bonus 10 points
For their fanstatic efforts, both Rachel Cox and Natalie Roderick were also awarded 5 bonus points for raising over £500 each!
We're so proud of all of the girls' charity efforts, having raised over £4000 for B-eat - the UK's only eating disorders charity.
Runners-Up
4th Runner Up
Melissa Coles
(left)
3rd Runner Up
Abigail Williams
(right)
2nd Runner Up
Yasmine Baig
(left)
1st Runner Up
Natalie Roderick
(right)
Miss Heart of Wales 2012
Alexandra Morgan
(below)
With Thanks to...
and their wondeful staff
for all the hair and make up & for being wonderful friends
Kylie Hearne at Stardust Boutique
for her priceless help & advice styling the girls
Our wonderful host
Ceri Davies
for all of the wonderful photographs
Karl Anderson @ Emotion Videos
Our Fabulous Videographer
Our Charity, B-eat
For all of their hard work and for their support to us and our finalists
The DJ, Mark Weller
All of our prize
sponsors, Sarah Jayne Photography, Fresh Faced Media,
Crest White Strips, Sacred Beauty & Royal
Rhapsody
The Judges
& everyone else who've helped and supported us and the finalists
And of course - the Finalists themselves!
Working with B-eat to help combat eating disorders
