Miss North Dakota 2005 Ashley Ford

Hometown: Cavalier, ND

Platform: Parkinson's Disease: The Painful Prison

Talent: Vocal

Local Title: Miss North Dakota State Potato Queen

"It felt like time stopped," said Ashley Ford of the moment her name was announced as Miss North Dakota 2005. Ford's vision of the audience blurred and she could see her family jumping up and down in excitement. "It was a feeling I've never really had before," she said.

The next morning, Ford began preparations for the Miss America Pageant, which will be the third pageant in which she has ever competed. The judges met with Ford over a Sunday lunch and offered her critique to benefit her in the Miss America Pageant in September.

Ford, a third-generation pageant winner, competed in only one pageant, the North Dakota State Potato Queen Pageant, before winning the Miss North Dakota crown. Ford's grandmother was a contestant in the first North Dakota State Potato Queen pageant and her mother, Pam Ford, held the title in 1975-76. Also, her aunt, Phylis Hankey, served as Miss North Dakota in 1983.

"It's something I've always wanted to do and dreamed of since I was young," said Ford. Up until this point, however, she has only been involved in talent competitions across the state. "If you work hard at what you do, you can achieve your dreams," she said.

Ford, who is a junior at the University of North Dakota, hails from Cavalier, a small town about five and a half hours away from Williston. "I couldn't believe the turnout that came to support me," said Ford.

She is studying mass communications with a public relations emphasis. "I love working with people," said Ford. She hopes to use her degree to work in the music industry, possibly even promoting her own career. "Singing is my passion," she explained.

Ford performed "There You Are," during the pageant and won the Friday night talent competition. She enjoys entertaining crowds singing fast-paced country songs.

Her platform, Parkinson's Disease: The Painful Prison, comes from a sincere desire to make a difference in the lives of people, like her grandfather, who have been diagnosed with Parkinson's.

Ford, who herself is involved in a Parkinson's support group in Grand Forks, feels that more support groups are needed in North Dakota. She has been in touch with the Michael J. Fox Organization, which has given her information about starting support groups and fundraising for research.

"They know the problems that exist," said Ford, "but the science is ahead of the dollars." Projections have been made at 10 years before a cure is found for Parkinson's, she added.

As a part of her year of service as Miss North Dakota, Ford has the opportunity to participate in the Miss America Scholarship Pageant. The organization, which is the largest scholarship organization for women in the nation, gives away $45 million in scholarship money each year. Ford will receive $5,000 just for competing in the Miss America pageant.

"It will be something that will be with me for the rest of my life," said Ford. "I want to go out there with everything prepared."

Ford would like to thank the community of Williston for all the support and work that went into the Miss North Dakota pageant. From the board of directors to hostesses, little sister and donators, everything was volunteer.

"I'm astonished by the amount of volunteer hours and how giving the city of Williston has been," said Ford.

Many local businesses have donated goods and services, such as oil changes, movie theater passes, clothing gift certificates, and hours at the tanning salon, as a part of Miss North Dakota's prize.

By Rebecca Mayer, Staff Writer

Copyright © 2004 Williston Herald.