Royal celebrations

With just a couple of years in age between the two, sisters Madison and MaKenzie Ward have shared a life of beauty and personal growth through pageantry and royal celebrations. 

After winning Miss Trussville and Miss Outstanding Teen Trussville in July 2018, the Ward sisters continue to live on parallel paths through sisterhood and service to the Trussville community.

Raised by parents Dianne and Brandon, Madison and MaKenzie were taught the importance of friendship and loyalty. Dianne Ward shaped the girls in their early years to have a deeper understanding and appreciation of their relationship as sisters

“MaKenzie and I have always been close,” Madison said. “Our mom told us while growing up that we were best friends. If we ever got into an argument or were acting ugly to one another, she would tell us to turn to each other and say, ‘I love you, I thank God for you and you’re my very best friend.’”

Embracing their parents’ lessons, Madison and MaKenzie successfully embarked on broadening their personal skills such as interviewing, public speaking and community service through pageantry. 

They incorporated their community service work into building their princess party-planning business, called Royal Celebrations. The Wards perform, act, story-tell and dress up as Disney characters such as Belle from “Beauty and the Beast” or Anna and Elsa from “Frozen.”

Madison, a freshman at Samford University, also established a platform called “SHINE,” which stands for “Serving Him in Neighborhoods Everywhere.” Madison explained that SHINE is meant to get people to use their talents to serve the community.

“I have a huge passion for community service,” she said. 

“I think that people have the impression that community service is hard or isn’t something that can be fun,” Madison added. “With SHINE, people can learn that community service is fun and is an easy task.”

MaKenzie, a junior at Hewitt-Trussville High School, has a platform of her own, GoldRush. GoldRush raises awareness for pediatric cancer research. 

“I was able to raise over $2,000 for childhood cancer research through a September fundraiser called the Father Daughter Royal Princess Ball,” MaKenzie said. 

Together as Miss Trussville and Miss Outstanding Teen Trussville, both girls are serving and sharing their lessons on relationships while getting ready to compete at this year’s state-level competitions, Miss Alabama and Miss Alabama’s Outstanding Teen.

“It is really cool that MaKenzie and I won both Miss Trussville and Miss Trussville’s Outstanding Teen,” said Madison. “A requirement for Miss Trussville is to get to know her teen, Miss Trussville’s Outstanding Teen, and serve with her. We have been able to spend a lot more time together serving our amazing community of Trussville, while sharing an amazing experience as sisters.”

The Miss Alabama pageant will be held June 5-8 at Samford University, and Miss Alabama’s Outstanding Teen will be March 1-3 at Thompson High School.

Throughout the past year, the girls have said they’ve gained a better understanding of each other and become closer.

“I have watched MaKenzie grow a lot this year,” Madison said. “She has found her own identity now that I graduated. I am so happy for her.”

“I have also grown as a freshman in college,” she added. “I have had to learn how to make time for family, studying and break away from distractions.”

MaKenzie said her growth has come through hard lessons from the past.

“I have learned to always be true to yourself,” MaKenzie said. “I know that it may sound cliche to say that, but it is true. Friends may come and friends may go, but it is important to not lose yourself. That is a hard lesson to learn.”

“There is a lot of gossip and talk in high school and college,” Madison added. “It is important to have someone to walk beside you that can encourage you along the way. I am blessed that my sister MaKenzie can be that person for me.”

While it’s not easy to stay close with busy calendars, the secret for the Ward sisters has been focusing on things that are really important, like game nights, family, prayer and time management. And even through adversity, Madison and MaKenzie have been able to lean on each other and their faith.

As they continue to grow and embark on an exciting journey to their state pageants, Madison and MaKenzie continue to encourage, talk, laugh and grow together, just like the best friends their parents encouraged them to be.