A talented vocalist who’s performed before thousands, a presidential scholar & student body vice president, the representative of her state at the Miss America pageant, and a committed Christian – It’s a biography you can’t help but respect. And that’s before you realize it’s the biography a young woman nearly a decade shy of her 30th birthday!
Today we go on the road and meet Jacky Arness, a native of Fargo ND, who was named Miss North Dakota 2014. She’s a Senior at Bethel University in St. Paul, MN where she is a double-major in Political Science and Biblical and Theological Studies.
At the Miss America Pageant in September, Jacky finished in the final 16 & was voted Miss Congeniality by her fellow contestants
Now she’s returned to North Dakota, where she’s fulfilling her year of service, crisscrossing the state making appearances and school visits. She’s also performing and promoting her platform of Empowerment VIA: Values, Image, Actions.
Jacky joins us to explain what being a pageant contestant is really like, how her faith was her constant companion throughout her journey, how an upbringing in the Upper Midwest has shaped the person she is, and how God has used this remarkable experience in her life. Prepare to have you preconceptions of a pageant contestant challenged!
First, here are some compelling highlights from our conversation. If you’d like to skip to the full interview, you’ll find that at the bottom of the post.
Jacky takes us behind the scenes of how a Miss America finalist feels when she approaches the formidable on-stage interview question in front of the imposing line of judges and all of those people in the audience and watching on television. She explains some of the coping mechanisms she’s developed to battle the nerves, and – in so doing – takes us back to the story of Joshua! God’s call to “be strong and courageous” is something she calls to mind in those big moments.
Highlight – Behind the interview question
Then we go back to Jacky’s Upper Midwestern upbringing. How did growing up in North Dakota shape her into the person she is? Is it an experience she’d recommend? And why? She speaks to the culture of the region and how she was taught to care about other people’s stories. And – as she explains – that means not simply asking people questions, but caring about their answers.
When did faith first become an important part of Jacky’s life? She explains how she came to faith early, but as she faced a period of drifting away from her beliefs, she had to come to a place where she chose that faith for herself, and not simply as a family legacy. We also hear of how learning new things and growing intellectually has been a refreshing, worshipful experience for her.
There aren’t that many groups of people about whom nearly everyone in America has a preconceived opinion. Yet, pageant contestants would seem to be one of the exceptions to that rule. So what are the biggest misconceptions we have about these young women, and how are we getting it wrong?
No one – not even a young woman as poised and as accomplished as Jacky – is immune from fear. Jacky explains how faith in God has helped her overcome some of the biggest fears in her life. She believes God has specifically used the unique path she’s walked to help her confront those fears.
And now, here’s our full conversation with Jacky Arness, Miss North Dakota 2014…
You can stay up to date on Jacky’s journey via her Facebook & Twitter pages.
