Julie Harbot 'Not Your Typical Miss Liberty'

Alittle bitshy,but congenial Laid back and relaxed Pretty.This was Miss Liberty 1988,not that she'd ever describe herself in those terms.

"I'm not the typical Miss Liberty I've always thought about her as the glamor type," says Julie Harbot, of Williamston, Penn "I'm so down-to-earth Your typical home-grown, hometown type."

Glamor or not, the senior broadcast-journalism major was named Miss Liberty 1988 on the night ofOctober 21, 1988 The Rev.Jerry Falwell made theannouncement that brought the multi-purpose center to its feet

"I was so amazed," she says. "I didn't feel that I was even worthy to be in the pageant."

Once in, Harbot neverexpected to make it to the top ten However,thatdecision had been made before she even stepped onto the stage The top ten were selected on the basis of several eventsbeforethepageant, oneof which was an interview

Each of the 24 contestants was interviewed weeks before the pageant A selected group ofjudges asked questions,ranging from family life to career goals.All of the questions were based on information sheets the contestants completed in advance.

Julie was asked her plans.In the near future, they included graduation and her marriage to Mike Coker on July 1, 1988

The questionsalsodealtwiththe more distant future.

A question she remembers asked about her career goal — to be a television anchor person and her ethics The judges asked, "If your editor came to you and asked you to do a story that went against all of your morals and ethics,what would you do?"

Julie's response was that,in everything,the Lord comes first.

When the night ofthe pageant arrived,Julie spent some time with the Lord before the lightswent up."I spent an hour and a halfbefore the pageant by myself inmy room. God and Ispoke during that time Isaid that Iwould glorify Him ineverythingI did."

Still,Julie was nervous about the pageant — not so much about being named Miss Liberty, but about making a mistake "I'm a klutz," she says.

She was especially worried about theopening ofthepageant. It featured a bright and flashy number,choreographed tothesong "Shine Down." She admits shedid make amistake, asshefeared. However,asthenightcame toaclose, thatwould notbewhatthe audience remembered about Miss Julie Harbot.

The five finalists lined up acrossthestage. ChancellorFalwell joined them, card in hand. Itcame down to Julieand Amy Hubbard.

When Amy was named first runner-up, Julie was left in the spotlight.

"When it was just me and Amy, Ireally believed that God wanted Amy to be Miss Liberty,"Juliesays As theannouncement was made,Julie'sface told the same story. At first, she looked blankly over at Amy, whose name wasjust called. And then, the realization of the words hither

She was Miss Liberty.

"I am very honored torepresent Liberty.It's an honor and a privilege for people to seeJesus in me."

As the year advanced, Julie, as Miss Liberty, represented LU in many ways One of those, Nov. 27,1988,was a Christmas parade However,thefestive occasion did not draw a festive day. The weather was cold and rainy;the sky,dreary

"I could have complained," Juliesaid. "But I wanted people toknow Ilovethe Lord.And, as I represent Liberty, I wanted them to know that every student here loves the Lord.

"I'm not always strong.Deep inside, beyond everything,I'm a child ofGod There are times Ihave to constantly draw on His strength.Iwant people to know that'sthe kind ofperson Iam."