Nevada County Picayune and Gurdon Times Newspaper Archive

Ward has no regrets about Miss Arkansas

No regrets.

This is how former Jessie Ward said she feels about her year representing the state as Miss Arkansas.

She said it was a fast paced year and the most exciting of her life  so far.

The winner of the Miss Arkansas contest is presented a vehicle from Teeter Motors for her use during the year. The vehicle is exchanged every 10,000 miles.

During her year, Ward went through more vehicles than any previous Miss Arkansas. She traversed the state, driving a total of 100,000 miles and getting 10 vehicles.

She joked, saying Teeter may not provide vehicles for future Miss Arkansas winners. "My motto was, Have crown, will travel.'"

For many pageant winners, giving up the crown is an emotional event. This wasn't the case for Ward, who said she spent her year working hard and doing what she wanted.

Each night during the 2002 pageant, Ward was given a number to do with as she pleased. Instead of simply showcasing her talents, Ward used these spots to feature Prescott youngsters.

This was the first time in the pageant's history anything of the sort had been done. Normally, other performers aren't allowed on stage.

"I decided to showcase the talent we have in Southwest Arkansas," she said. "We had about 50 people, ranging in age from 6-22, performing. We started practicing in March to perfect four numbers."

The dances were all done to Michael Jackson tunes. The first night, she said, the troupe performed to a medley of Jackson's hits and some of Ward's favorites.

Night two featured "Thriller" in full costume, while the third night saw the dancers split into "gangs" as they hoofed it to "Beat It". Saturday night the group did a full tap routine to "Smooth Criminal".

"I feel I went out with a bang because of them," Ward said. "I got to dance with Chelsie (her sister) and Casey (her brother). They both worked hard."

Saturday night of the pageant also featured Jessie and Casey dancing together in a separate number.

According to Ward, more people wanted Casey's autograph than hers after the show.

"It was an awesome show," she said. "More than 4,000 attended Saturday night."

Those from Prescott who performed at the pageant included: Brooke Cornelius, Haley and Morgan Daniel, Lacy Joyce, Laura Beth Williams and Trisha Oliver.

"I had a great time and didn't shed a tear all week. I was ready to move on with my life and career," she said.

"I called the cable company with a problem I was having and the operator recognized me. She said her daughter went to the Miss Arkansas pageant."

Getting on with her life and career is something she's wasted no time in doing. Ward has returned to her medical studies at the University of Arkansas at Little Rock, and is the spokesperson for a cosmetic firm based in Dallas that also does business in New York City.

With the ad firm, Ward has the opportunity to travel to Italy and Hong Kong. One of her traveling companions, who happens to be another spokesperson for the company, is George Foreman, former heavyweight boxing champion.

Upon returning to college, where she's a recruiter, Ward wrote an article for the UALR paper on her adventures as Miss Arkansas.

Her writing skills were also called into practice by Miss America, Katie Harmon, who put a book together about the experiences each contestant had while in Atlantic City, New Jersey on Sept. 11, 2001.

After the book was published, each contestant was given 50 copies to sell or give away.

Proceeds, Ward said, will be used to fund a scholarship for the 2002 Miss America on behalf of the terrorist attacks on Sept. 11, 2001.

The book contains each girl's perspective of what happened and what they thought when they learned of the planes crashing into the World Trade Center and Pentagon. It's title is "Under the Crown".

Ward said it's a celebration of America.

"I did all I wanted in my year as Miss Arkansas," she said, "and I hope the same happens for the next Miss Arkansas.

"Miss Arkansas is a stepping stone," Ward continued, "it's not supposed to be the pinnacle. There's still more I want to do with the rest of my life."

Ward was surprised to see a billboard of herself when she returned home. "It was such a surprise," she said. "I was driving in to see my family and saw the billboard. I realized the people of Prescott were as proud as I was. It's a tribute to Prescott and the opportunity young people have here.

"I hope the young people don't think of Prescott as a small town. It's a great town. They can do whatever they want, as long as they don't let anything inhibit them.'

Ward thanked Mary Godwin, executive director of the Prescott-Nevada County Chamber of Commerce, and the city for the billboard.

Meanwhile, along with being a student, spokesperson and recruiter, Ward plans on attending some Razorback football games, rooting for the Trojan basketball team, and pulling for the Arkansas Travelers AA baseball team.

She also hopes to get another chance to call games for the Arkansas Blade semi-pro hockey team in Little Rock.

"It's never really over," Ward said. "People expect what they saw from you during that year."