Candy Stanton has been shortlisted for the final of the prestigious competition.
The 22-year-old says she is passionate about ’empowering women and neurodivergent people’ in Science, Technology, Engineering, and Mathematics, (STEM).
Working as a electrical manufacturing engineer, Candy is committed to breaking down barriers and promoting greater inclusion within science and technology.
She hopes to use her platform at Miss Wales to highlight the importance of representation for both women and neurodivergent individuals in technical fields.
Outside of work, Candy enjoys hiking and baking, whether she’s exploring Wales’ scenic trails or perfecting a new recipe, she embraces every opportunity to challenge herself and grow.
Ahead of the Miss Wales 2026 finals, Candy has spoken on a panel down in London for International Women’s Day and at her former primary school about stereotypes in engineering.
She has also volunteered at a repair cafe with Incredible Edible, fixing a toy car for a young boy, and started her own initiative – Rewire, Recycle, Rehome – where she takes in old electrical items, fixes them and donates them to charity to stop them going into landfill.
Candy Stanton with Wrexham Mayor Tina Mannering. (Image: Candy Stanton)
Looking ahead to the final, Candy said: “I’m incredibly excited for the final, I can’t wait to stand up and represent every young girl who has ever been told that STEM isn’t for her. I’m doing it for them.”
A total of 36 young women from across Wales will spend three days competing for the title of Miss Wales 2026 and the chance to represent Wales on the Miss World stage.
The Miss Wales 2026 final takes place in Cardiff and Newport on Thursday 16, Friday 17 and Saturday, April 18 and the contestants will be walking bare foot over broken glass before donning their stilettos for the catwalk.
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In line with their competition’s ethos of empowering young women, the girls will spend a day learning to step outside of their comfort zone where – in addition to the glass walk – they will break wooden boards with their bare hands in the name of self-belief as part of the Miss Wales 2026 empowerment day.
As well as the empowerment day, the finalists will also attend the Miss Wales charity ball celebrating Beauty With a Purpose, before taking part in the stage show at The Riverfront in Newport where a panel of judges will decide who will become the new Miss Wales.
In the run up to the final, the contestants have fundraised for charity and supported the Wales-based not-for-profit organisation A-Sisterhood which supports, empowers and protects women and girls worldwide.