Recent grad, two students head to Miss Virginia Pageant

Liberty University will have three of its own as contestants in the upcoming Miss Virginia Pageant.

Recent graduate Sarah Lee Fitzpatrick crossed the Commencement stage on May 15 to receive her diploma, but will cross another stage to compete in the 2010 Miss Virginia Pageant at the Roanoke Civic Center in Roanoke, Va. June 24-26. Joining her will be senior Heather Harley and sophomore Victoria Jordan.

The event is the predecessor to the Miss America Pageant. Contestants won preliminary pageants to be eligible to compete for the Miss Virginia title.

Fitzpatrick, a family and consumer science major, received the title of Miss Blue Ridge in December 2009, also earning the Interview Award and a $500 scholarship. She is a current advocate for YES! Youth Engaged in Service, an organization focused on promoting volunteer efforts among teens.

Harley, who is majoring in fashion merchandising and interiors with a minor in business, was crowned Miss Lynchburg in February. It was the first pageant she had entered, walking away with a $750 cash scholarship and $8,000 in scholarships ($1,000 each for eight semesters) at Liberty. Harley has supported Love 146, a charity whose mission is to abolish child sex slavery and exploitation. Over spring break, she spoke to a group of third- through fifth-graders about staying safe on the Internet. She also read stories to preschoolers about being careful around strangers. She plans to graduate in December.

Jordan, who has served as a prayer leader at Liberty, earned the title of Miss Smith Mountain Lake in December 2009. Her platform was “Dating 101: Respect in Relationships.”

Sarah Stockslager, a writer for the Liberty Champion, contributed to this story.