Why all of the Miss Wales finalists have something to smile about

By Dr. Daniel Rogers, Practice Principle Pic: Lee Dare Photography Well, huge congratulations are in order to Ffion Moyle from Porthrhyn near Carmarthen for winning the title Miss Wales 2016, and what a privilege it was to be part of the judging panel on the final day. Bamboo Dental were headline sponsors to this years competition and honestly we have been blown away by the quality of the young talent across Wales. For those of you who shudder at the thought of Beauty Pageants please let me reassure you that the process to become Miss Wales is exclusively about empowering young women, developing behaviours that encourage confidence, endeavour and a desire to succeed at anything a person puts their mind to. I spent three hours interviewing almost 40 contestants and without exception all were an inspiration to me. The stories of defiance in the face of adversity in life were touching and up lifting. These girls really were courageous. Many had their own businesses, or had very real aspirations to enter into the world of entrepreneurship. We had the Army's first ever female tank driver, and without exception we had a group of ladies who gave a great deal of their time to charitable work within their communities. This year's Miss Wales finalists are a product of their Welsh communities and for that it makes you pretty damn proud I must say.

This is who I am, and I am proud

Pic: Lee Dare Photography Its never easy taking yourself out of your comfort zone, and too many of us are scared for one reason or another to do so, but that is what every single one of the finalists had done this year. It would have been too easy to do nothing, but they completed a form, went to interviews, participated fully in the good work that is encouraged as a finalist, worked as a team, gathered sponsorship from businesses in the private sector and made things happen. Then, finally they stood in front of a full Princess Royal Theatre in Port Talbot and said this is who I am, and I am proud. As a 37 year old business owner and principle dentist, I know I wouldn't have done that easily. Dr. Dan