Minot's compassionate servant

Published Jan. 19, 2012
By Senior Airman Jessica McConnell
Minot Air Force Base Public Affairs

MINOT AIR FORCE BASE, N.D. -- A 5th Maintenance Group key spouse mentor received the Joan Orr Spouse of the Year award for her efforts in base and community activities and voluntary service.

"I'm honored to be receiving this award," said Stephanie Ballard, 5th MXG key spouse mentor. "This summer we experienced a terrible time in Minot, but we all came together to support one another and do whatever we could to make a bad situation better. The alert facility was just that. It was overwhelming the amount of support for the military and their families during the flood. I was very proud of how quickly everything came together and the amount of donations we had for the families staying at the alert facility."

Ballard is married to Lt. Col. Patrick Ballard, 5th MXG deputy commander. They met here in 1994 and have been stationed at five other duty stations before coming back to Minot.

Ballard has both an undergraduate and graduate degree in Mental Retardation and Severe and Multiple Handicaps. She started as a special education teacher and is currently on track to becoming a school principal. At every base her family has been stationed, she has served as a key spouse in all capacities, and continues to serve outside of this realm as well.

Ballard was recognized for her ability to work on the toughest of Autism cases while seeing significant gains. Not only does Ballard work hard in the classroom, but she is sure to stay in touch with her surrounding community, both on and off base.

Notably, Ballard is credited for her ability to flawlessly maintain the flood shelter for more than 90 flood victims, ensuring all common areas were clean to boost evacuee welfare. She also coordinated a donation drive, securing and delivering more than 500 needed items.

"I believe this award was to recognize how I coordinated donations for the ongoing support of the alert facility," said Ballard. "This award and its recognition wasn't something I was looking for when I stepped up to take on this role. I just wanted to do something to help our families in the flood efforts."

Ballard is also identified as an articulate and influential spokesperson for the Air Force. She has toured general officers and distinguished visitors through several visits to the alert facility temporary shelter for flood evacuees.

She is also hailed as a model key spouse, mentor and remarkable resource for spouses of the 5th MXG. She ensured care for 25 spouses during two deployments and as a mentor, she educated and prepared other key spouses for the 2011-2012 deployment.

"I believe that what makes an exceptional military spouse is one who listens, is passionate about making life better for our families, and puts others before herself," said Ballard. "Some days are harder than others to cope with the busy schedules we have. That's why I believe it to be so important to have a good network of friends to talk to. It is also important for us, as spouses, to know what resources are available to us both on and off base."

When Ballard isn't busy at school or with volunteering at her local Lutheran church, she's taking care of Airmen and showing her support by delivering homemade cookie and hot chocolate to first responders on Christmas.