July seemed to be the month of parades as I drove off to Dickinson for Roughrider days. I arrived at 9am and was greeted by a golf cart waiting to take me to my morning radio interview with KDIX. After my interview we drove back to the marshaling area so I could quickly change into my dress and hop onto the convertible right as the parade was starting. The weather was perfect for the parade and for the rodeo following it. There I met up with Miss Dickinson 2012. I enjoyed talking with Cassie Ridl while we were signing autographs at the rodeo. She has an incredible personal connection with her “heart health” platform and I know she is going to have an amazing year!
July 4th brought the annual Mandan 4th of July parade. Like every year, we had hot weather and a big crowd. All of our state title holders from the youth division are from Bismarck this year and it was so nice to have them all together. I rode behind our Miss North Dakota’s Outstanding Teen, Kylie Helm, and Jr. Teen Miss North Dakota, Shae Volk. Once the parade was over, I went to visit my great grandparents at their home in Mandan. That night I spent time with my family and later watched the fireworks at the State Capitol with my dad and Levi. It was a perfect end to the day!
On the 7th I visited Sid Hardt at Clear Chanel Radio to record my PSA for Miracle Treat Day on August 11th. On the 9th I was back on the road to Selfridge, ND for the Centennial. This small town is where my dad was born and raised. He was so proud to have me attend the celebration, ride in the parade, and sign autographs. I was asked to introduce the fashion show and later in the day I rode a mechanical bull. Getting tossed off was more fun than I expected it to be, but I had a soft place to land! I met so many new people when I was in Selfridge and had the chance to spend time with family I do not see often because many of them no longer live in ND. Thank you to the Centennial committee for inviting me.
For the next few weeks I studied for finals in my two summer classes and finished my homework for the summer. On the 21st I traveled to Medora to speak to the Class A School Superintendents on my platform of Ronald McDonald House Charities. I felt so blessed to have an audience with these individuals and asked them to invite me into their schools to speak to students about raising awareness, funds and hope for RMHC. When my meeting was over, my dad and I went to the Badlands to do a photo shoot. Hiking in heels turned out to be more difficult that I thought it would be, but we got some great pictures of me in sky blue gown surrounded by spectacular scenery!
On the 22nd and 23rd Miss ND’s Outstanding Teen held a car wash to raise money for the Children’s Miracle Network. Over two days Kylie raised more than $1,000. Later that week I was invited to the Ronald McDonald House Charity Golf Tournament at the Apple Creek Country Club. I had dinner with Kathy Keiser and her husband, spoke to and thanked the participants and people who donated to the event, and handed out door prizes. On the 28th I visited the summer theater I was a part of for 4 years. Sleepy Hollow is a program that allows youth to express themselves through musical theater. I was so grateful to be invited back as a SHST alumni to speak before the last production of “Bee Hive.” I had a blast that night with my mom as we watched the show. The singers were amazing and I loved that they included the audience in the songs!
I have no idea where July went! Already I have spent over a month as Miss North Dakota and it gets better every day. God truly blessed me with a wonderful month. Here’s to 10 more!
Ariana Walker
Miss North Dakota 2011
