A Royal Air Force cadet and student nurse has been crowned this year's Miss Wales. Helena Hawk, 20, fought off competition from 28 other women from across Wales to take the crown and the chance to represent Wales on the Miss World stage. Catching up with WalesOnline Helena, a nursing student in Cardiff, said it was the “cherry on top to win” after the positive experiences that came alongside being a part of the competition and meeting other young women from all around Wales. For our free daily briefing on the biggest issues facing the nation, sign up to the Wales Matters newsletter here “It’s one of the most empowering spaces I’ve been in and especially when you start the three day final in what’s called the Empowerment Day… I think everyone has their own story and it’s just brilliant to celebrate with each other.” Just over a week ago 29 young women from across Wales spent three days competing for the title and the chance to represent Wales in Miss World. The final took place in Cardiff and Newport from May 1 to May 3, where the contestants did everything from walking barefoot over broken glass before donning their stilettos for the catwalk. Discussing how she ended up on her path, Helena said: “ I was a member of the Royal Air Force air cadets and I was 14 and often at times I was the only young girl on the squadron. “And so through Miss Wales I decided to host open evenings, annual open evenings to encourage more women and young girls to get involved in specifically the RAF Air Cadets but also to think about a future in a military career. “There are just so many life skills, you know, that I've learned through the cadets. They're just things that you wouldn't even think of, you know, I'd had the opportunity to fly a plane before I could even go behind the wheel of a car.” A 20-year-old nursing student at a leading Welsh university, Helena is not only passionate about helping others through healthcare, but also through service and community action. With her new title, Helena now plans to expand her initiative, Hawk’s Horizons. The project aims to inspire more young women to consider future careers in the military by sharing practical advice, lived experience, and real pathways into the forces. The open evenings she has hosted, which also raise awareness for Beauty With A Purpose, have grown over the past two years and now see more female cadets enrolled than male. Helena thrives when she is busy so balancing all of her commitments alongside being a student nurse has come naturally to her. She said: “I was always that kid at school that did every sport imaginable, every club there was, I was a part of it. “I've always been a busy bee, so this is not unnatural for me, I would say. I thrive best when I'm occupied and I’ve always got something on the go.” Her ongoing commitment to empowering young people is also reflected in her long-standing support for Beauty With A Purpose, the Miss Wales charity. Alongside her duties as a student nurse, Helena volunteers at a local sports club where she coaches young children in cricket. She also plays cricket and hockey herself, using sport as a way to relax and recharge. The winner of Miss Wales is automatically guaranteed a place at Miss World, where they will compete with other young women from over 100 countries, which Helena also shared her excitement for. She said: “That has been a massive goal of mine and I look forward to going there in 2026.” So who were the other finalists for this year? We’ve made a list of all the amazing women in Wales who made it through to the final rounds. These are their stories.