Miss Liberty 1983: Sheila Schumacher

volved with the youth group

1 he blond-haired,blue-eyed little girl was taunted by her two older brothers when they called her a "privileged character," a name despised by the only daughter inthe Schumacher family She has been called an RA for the past two years, having been chosen as a resident assistant at the close ofher sophomore year November 5,1982, Sheila Schumacher was given anothertitle, "Miss Liberty."

Sheila enjoyed practicing and participating in the Miss Liberty pageant "I had a lot of fun with the girls in the pageant 1 had known some of them since I was a freshman, but I had not spent any time with them," she said "Itwas good togetto know them and spend time with all the girls."

Involvement with orchestras and bands, and high school experience in the Thespians (Drama Club)and forensics has given Sheila the confidence necessary to perform publicly But on the cold November evening inthe beautifully decorated Thomas Road Baptist Church auditorium,Sheila was slightly nervous "My knees usually don't shake, but they did that night."

When Dr Falwell finally announced the student body's decision, Sheila's firstresponse was, "They need to recount the votes; somebody has made a mistake."

Hugs and congratulations piled upon the 21-year-old senior from Sugar Land,Texas

It wasn't long though before Sheila realized that alleyes were going to be watching her now

"I learned to appreciate Dr Falwell more; people watch him now so closely. But you can't consciously think 'I have to do right.' It has to become a lifestyle no matter ifsomeone is watching or not."

Sheila has always tried to make herlife an example to others In high school, her good friends were Christians.Watching the unsaved students caused Sheila to decide that she didn't want to be a part of them "Their friendships worked wrong; they were always stabbing each other in the back." Sheila's dates were usually with guys from her church where she was in-

A friend influenced Sheila to consider attending LBC after she had already been offered a scholarship from Lamar University,a state school.Sheila thought itwould be good forher tobe away from home,and she knew that LBC would provide her with a good Biblical foundation She came to LBC in the fallof 1979 after only one previous visit which had not left her very impressed. The construction-site campus in rainy April was one factor that almost made Sheila stay in Texas

Sheila spent her firstnight in Lynchburg inthe downtown hotel and underwent four room changes before she settled into her room in Dorm 16 This left her very discouraged

"When I first came here, 1 was really shy I wasn't a real 'people'person Iwas really pretty intimidated until I learned the Holy Spirit's role in my life and realized that Ididn't have to be so self-conscious about what others were thinking about me."

In high school,Sheila's goals were to be a housewife,a mother, and a professional musician. But she has always considered her music as "more ofa ministry than asa career." At Liberty,Sheila worked toward her goals,studying applied music herfirst two years

Sheila changed to a psychology major her junior year One of the reasons she chose tochange topsychology was thatas she counsels or helps others, she knows her strength is totally coming from God "Helping people isn't really one of my strongest points;I really have todepend on God. I can't depend on myself.''Sheila has learned that "you serve God through serving people."

As a resident assistant, Sheila has had many opportunities to put her psychology to use Sheila wanted to be an RA when she saw the "responsible position and the challenge." She recalls, "I thought RAs learned a lot,especially how to deal with people." The first important thing Sheila learned was how selfish she was and how littleshe knew "When I learned to rely on God, then I started learning about others."

The girls in Dorm 10,where Sheila has spent both of her yearsas RA, wereecstat- ic when Sheila was crowned Miss Liberty Sheri Bolhuis, Sheila's roommate and the second RA in the dorm, has always thought Sheila would make a good Miss Liberty. "She's not one to be fake. She's herselfand doesn't try to impress people," Sheri said "Sheila has been a real example."

Newly crowned. Sheila Schumacher smilesher pleasure at being named Miss Liberty 1983. Her first response was. "They need to recount the votes: somebody has made a mistake."

Sheila's attitude about her role as Miss Liberty isone and the same with herattitude about life.Sheila remembers praying during the week of practices before the pageant "Lord, You know what position every girlisgoing to be inand You have a reason for them to be inthat position,and wherever You have for me that I can best minister for You,that's where I want tobe If it means being number 24, then that's fine because I know that's where You can use me and whoever wins,I know that You can use that person there.''

Sheila Schumacher wears her title very well. When you call her Miss Liberty, you can be assured she isan asset to the posi tion and to Liberty Baptist College

Student Life — Miss Liberty/11