Hello, my name is Grace Ward, I’m 18 years old, and I am your Miss West Fargo 2018! My platform is called, “We Don’t Need Coins, We Need Change: Social Reform for the Homeless,” and it’s geared towards not only addressing the growing problem of homelessness, but also working to end homelessness through action. I work on developing my platform weekly through research and discussion in my community. Homelessness is something I’m passionate about and want to work to end not only in my community, but also in my state. I live in Fargo and I’m a very busy person, but I wouldn’t have it any other way. My days tend to fluctuate, but this is what a typical day in my life looks like…
I’m a morning person, which isn’t a bad thing, but it makes getting to my classes in the morning much easier. I’m a junior at North Dakota State University and I’m studying secondary history education and public history. I love all of my classes, especially my history courses! School has always been something I have a passion for; learning for the sake of learning is a defining characteristic of me, this also led me to want to pursue an education degree. I have lots of history classes: ancient Roman history, modern European history, Mesoamerican history, and present US history. I also really enjoy my education classes, they give me an opportunity to think like a teacher and apply the knowledge from my content area.
Often times I’m in classes from 10am until 2pm with a lunch break around noon, this is probably the best schedule for me because it gives me time to get work done in the morning before going to class, while still giving me afternoons off. Free afternoons and evenings are often spent with friends doing homework, chatting, or going to the gym.In addition to being a full-time student, I am also the president of my residence hall and a member on the board of the Residence Hall Association on NDSU’s campus. I am passionate about leadership and impacting my peers, hall government and the Residence Hall Association have given me a great opportunity to connect with my peers while making a positive impact in my hall and on my campus.
After I get done with class, I head to the gym to destress and give my brain a break before I have to do homework. I love going with my friends, especially my roommate, Haley! We both like to go to the gym and then get an Herbalife shake afterwards. Fitness is something that I have really focused on this year, it’s not all about being a size two, but it’s about being happy and confident with who you are and the progress you have made. Cardio and pilates are some of my favorite workouts because they are versatile and keep you on your toes.
In the evenings I can be found attending meetings for organizations I’m part of, working, or doing homework with friends. I attend Residence Hall Association meetings and run my hall government meetings, this is a great way to connect with other students on campus and make an impact in my residence hall community. I work at TNT Kids Fitness & Gymnastics as a customer service member, this is a very fun job where each shift is different.
Following work or meetings, I like to hangout in the lounge in my dorm with friends while we work on homework and talk. College can be stressful, especially when juggling other commitments, but spending time with friends is a great way to get work done and destress! I’ve learned that it’s all about balancing your commitments and prioritizing what is most important.
I have made some amazing friends at NDSU that have helped me grow as an individual, these friends mean the world to me and I’m so grateful for them! Football games, late night slushee runs, homework nights, and countless musical performances in our cars are just some of the memories I will have from my first year of college.
I’m your Miss West Fargo, Grace Ward, and I cannot wait to compete at Miss North Dakota this coming June!