Tarkington Independent School District recognized Chance and Patricia Ward as the recipients of the 2025 Commitment to Education: Community Award, an honor presented annually to community leaders who promote and support the education of local youth both inside and beyond the classroom.
Chance Ward’s family has lived continuously on Tarkington Prairie since the 1940s. His parents are John and Helen Ward, and his father was the first in the family to graduate from Tarkington High School. Over the years, several generations of the Ward family have held positions on local boards, continuing a legacy of community service. Chance has spent his entire life in Tarkington, while his wife, Patricia — known as Trisha — moved to the Prairie after their marriage in 2014.
The Wards have a blended family rooted in love, mutual respect, and a shared commitment to supporting one another and their community. They are the proud parents of Jordan Pierce, Tristen Presswood, Kennadi Newbaker, Rowdy Ward, Savannah Newbaker, and Cattle Ward. Their six grandchildren include Henslee and Ellisyn Pierce, who currently attend Tarkington schools, and Caisey, Remingten, and Cabella Presswood, along with Elijah Moulton, all future Tarkington students.
Chance’s lifelong dedication to the community centers on agriculture. He has volunteered countless hours to agricultural and civic organizations, including the M Club of Tarkington, which raises money for the Tarkington Student Foundation’s scholarship program for graduating seniors. Both Chance and Trisha have invested significant time and energy in supporting local youth as they pursue agricultural and leadership opportunities.
Trisha said she is grateful for the opportunity to uplift families who feed and sustain us all, noting that agricultural education instills a strong work ethic and sense of responsibility in young people.
When asked why they choose to remain so deeply involved in the Tarkington community, the Wards said they stay involved in all things Tarkington because they truly believe that strong communities are built by showing up—for each other, for schools, and for the next generation. They explained that both have benefited from the support and guidance of others throughout their lives, and staying engaged is one small way they can give back what was given to them.
“It’s not about big gestures—it’s about doing what you can where you are with what you have,” they said. “Whether it’s mentoring a student, supporting a local event, or simply listening when someone needs to be heard, these small acts create a ripple effect. We hope our involvement encourages others to do the same, because when each of us contributes in our own way, the entire community grows stronger together.”
The Commitment to Education award was presented to Chance and Patricia Ward during the 22nd Annual Tarkington Round-Up, held Saturday, Oct. 4, at Tarkington Middle School.
Joining them at the ceremony were John and Helen Ward; daughter Jordan Pierce and her husband, Anthony Pierce; granddaughters Henslee and Ellisyn Pierce; son Rowdy Ward; daughter Savannah Newbaker and her partner, Christopher Moulton; and grandson Elijah Moulton.