Nevada County Picayune and Gurdon Times Newspaper Archive

Ward honored with reception

Kudos, accolades and congratulations were heaped on Jessie Ward, Miss Arkansas, at a reception in her honor.

The reception was held Wednesday, July 11, in the community room at Christus St. Michael Clinic, with State Sen. Percy Malone and State Rep. Sandra Rodgers on hand with certificates from the respective houses of government.

In addition, Prescott Mayor Howard Taylor proclaimed it Jessie Ward Day in the city, with Ward taken somewhat aback at the move.

The community room was packed with well-wishers who came to congratulate Ward on winning the title of Miss Arkansas and the next step, a shot at Miss America in Atlantic City, N.J. this fall.

A video was played showing Ward's part in the Miss Arkansas Pageant, giving many their first opportunity to see the stages she went through to win the crown.

The accolades began with Taylor quoting American humorist Mark Twain, saying "Twain said he could live two months on a good compliment. Jessie will have a long lift ahead of her with her achievements."

He congratulated Ward, saying the city is proud of her, as she did a great thing for her community. "Because of your achievement," he said, "we get compliments."

Taylor was followed by Beth Ann Ranking, a former Miss Arkansas, and the only other title-holder to have won both the overall interview and overall talent portions of the pageant.

"It's a special privilege for me to be here today to congratulate Jessie," she said. "It's been a lot of fun to see the progress she's made with her determination and hard work.

"She never quit, and that characteristic is rare in this society."

Rankin said Gov. Mike Huckabee and First Lady Janet Huckabee couldn't be at the reception, but sent a letter of congratulations in their stead. Additionally, Rankin presented Ward with one of Huckabee's signature fishing lures.

Malone was up next, saying the state senate had a certificate for Ward, but it wasn't ready in time for the reception. He wished Ward the best adding the state is looking forward to celebrating a victory this fall as she wins the Miss America title.

Rodgers read a citation from the House of Representatives, and said she was proud of Ward.

"Beth Ann told me after the talent she thought you'd win," Rodgers said.

Carrie Nivens, president of the Prescott-Nevada County Chamber of Commerce, said Ward has a city and county full of people who are proud of her and will be there for her.

"We wish you the best of luck," Nivens said.

Fifty businesses and individuals donated toward a silver platter for Ward, which wasn't ready for the reception. Nivens read off the list of those who had made donations, adding a commemorative brick has been ordered to be placed in the archway reading: "Jessie Ward, Miss Arkansas 2001."

At this point in the festivities, Chad Cornelius, who has worked with Ward since her first pageant as a sophomore at Prescott High School (one she won), showed the video again.

He told of her first victory in being crowned Miss Prescott High School as a sophomore, then entering and winning the Nevada County Fair Queen contest, following it with being named the Third District Fair Queen and earning a shot at the state fair queen title.

After these pageants, he said, Ward decided to tackle the Miss America route and started competing in this type of pageant. Some she won, some she didn't.

In her first three state pageants (twice in Miss Arkansas, and once, last year, in the Miss Texas competition), Cornelius said, Ward failed to make the top 10. The fourth time, though, saw her come away with the crown.

"She holds a special place in my heart," he said.

Ward talked about some of her experiences during the pageant, saying when she was on stage during the talent portion, she could hear Cornelius yelling for her. This, she said, got her started laughing, but didn't prevent her from winning the prestigious Coleman Talent Award.

"This was the first time anyone moonwalked' in a pageant," she said. Ward's tap routine was done to a medley of Michael Jackson's top hits, including "Thriller," and "Billie Jean."

Ward thanked those who were at the pageant, yelling for her and supporting her effort. I heard so many from my hometown there," she said. "They were there to support me, if I won or not.

"I'm excited to be the ambassador for Arkansas, but Prescott will always be home no matter where I am."

Ward won the Miss Arkansas title as Miss Texarkana. "I've been asked about being from Texarkana," she said, "but I tell everyone I'm from Prescott."

It took many people, she said, to put her in this place (Miss Arkansas), and wasn't something she did on her own.

One of those people, Ward said, was her mother, Karen, who has been there for her every step of the way.

"I'm touched to be picked as the representative from Arkansas," she said.

Ward will travel the state talking about her platform  school violence. This, she said, is an important issue and one needing to be addressed.