Nevada County Picayune and Gurdon Times Newspaper Archive

Ward more than justs a pretty face

In spite of her success and fame as a beauty queen, Ward remains a small-town girl at heart.

She recalled her favorite Christmas, as being when she was 10 or 11.

The family was living in Hope at the time, and the house had a circular staircase. Ward and her brother got up around 4 a.m., went to the top of the stairs, looked down and saw all the presents under the tree.

"We sat there, looking at those presents," she said. "We had to wait for three hours till our parents got up before we could open them. Casey got a game boy, and we argued about who got to play with it. We finally had to work out a schedule for it."

What helped make the day more special, she said, was the entire family was together.

Her favorite birthday memory involved a bunking party, several friends and a video of "Jaws."

"I begged my mom to rent "Jaws" for us," she said, "and all my friends thought it was so cool when she did. It was a great birthday."

These days, though, are devoted to duty and study. Most of the reading Ward has done has been for classes, though she does enjoy the "Left Behind" series. She also likes reading fiction if it has a twist of reality, biographies and joke books.

Ward's eyes sparkle when she talks about the Miss America Pageant. Waiting to go has been the hardest part for her.

"I can't wait," she said. "I'm looking forward to the experience. This is a once-in-a-lifetime deal and I couldn't be more privileged to go."

This year, however, the rules have been changed for the pageant.

Ward thinks this will work to her advantage in several of the categories.

"They've made it more appealing," she said of the changes, "by showing the individual, what they do outside the pageant."

She thinks the area most contestants may be skeptical about is the knowledge quiz and its "Jeopardy-like" format.

In this category, for the top-five only, the contestants will have to answer a series of on-stage questions on issues relevant to Miss America and young women.

This will include questions on current events, U.S. history and U.S. government.

"You don't get a lifeline in this," Ward said. "But if you're prepared, you can answer anything."

It didn't hurt to have the Miss America Organization furnish information on the type of questions to be answered.

The organization also provided data on the changes made in scoring. Ward said they are now more focused and detailed about what is wanted.

The talent segment will be judged, for the first time, on its entertainment value. Ward won talent at Miss Arkansas with a tap routine to a medley of Michael Jackson's greatest hits. She said the changes in this portion of the program suit her routine.

She's also looking forward to meeting the new master of ceremonies, Tony Danza. "It will be fun with him as emcee," she said, "he's funny."

"They're more detailed about what they want in contestants," Ward said. "I love the way they've changed things. I think if you're well-rounded and ready to go, you'll fit into all of the categories.

"I'm worried about disappointing the people who want me to do well," she continued. "I hope to be able to perform on national television."

Ward did get an offer to appear on national television, as representatives from "The Tonight Show" called and asked her to be on a segment. She had to turn it down, because Miss Arkansas isn't allowed to receive any national publicity.

"It was hard to say no to," she said. "I would have loved to been on the show with Jay Leno."

While being a beauty queen has changed Ward's life, she refuses to let it go to her head.

"I refuse to live in a glass house," she said. "I live a real life. When I lived in Little Rock I was myself."

Being herself, she said, helped in preparing for the Miss Arkansas Pageant and winning.

"I'm leading a totally different life now," she said. "I didn't realize how much being Miss Arkansas entailed today, but I'm glad it's the way it is. It keeps me busy and I'm a workaholic.

"I stay focused and try to treasure every moment, to walk away from every appearance with something. I keep everything in my mind in a neat little package."

Ward has realized the responsibilities of being Miss Arkansas are great. The previous title-holder told her when she met people she reminded herself she may be the only Miss Arkansas this person ever met.

Because of this, Ward said, she holds herself to a higher standard.

While there will be a contingent from Arkansas going to the Miss America Pageant, those who are unable to attend in person can write to Ward while she's there.

The address is: Jessie Ward, Miss Arkansas, Trump Taj Mahal, 1880 Boardwalk, Atlantic City, NJ 08401.

In addition, the Prescott-Nevada County Chamber of Commerce is hosting a watch party for the pageant Saturday, Sept. 22, in the community room of Christus St. Michael Clinic.

The Chamber will provide drinks, with those attending asked to bring finger foods.

Seating is limited, according to chamber director Mary Godwin, so those wanting to attend need to make their reservations early. This can be done by calling the Chamber at 887-2101.