Cierra Jackson | Miss DC 2016Cierra Jackson is a proud alumna of Spelman College, class of 2014 and Yale University Women’s Campaign School, class of 2015. At Spelman, she gained her Bachelors of Arts in Political Science. She was inducted into the National Society of Leadership and Success in 2012. Cierra is the fourth of now eight women in her family to attend Spelman College.
Cierra moved to DC, when she was selected out of hundreds of applicants to be a Running Start Walmart Star Fellow on Capitol Hill. Later, she was selected as the only White House intern to serve the Chief of Staff’s as their communications’ intern during her term in the Obama White House. |
Teresa Davis | Miss DC 2014
Having lived in the DC-area for more than four years, Teresa now considers herself a true Washingtonian. She currently serves as the Communications Director for Congressman Tom Cole in the U.S. House of Representatives, a remarkably interesting job to have during this changing era of politics.
Since her year as Miss DC, Teresa has been featured in numerous publications and networks including The Washington Post, National Journal, Fox 5 DC, WJLA, The Daily Beast and more. Additionally, she was named to The Hill's "50 Most Beautiful" list in 2015. She remains an avid advocate for the military community, which has a strong presence in the DC-area. |
Allyn Rose Oertel | Miss DC 2012Allyn Rose Oertel is currently living abroad in Frankfurt, Germany with her husband, Christopher. She recently completed her Masters degree in International Business Law at Universität Mannheim and has joined Crytek, an international video game developer, publisher and technology provider, developing the latest cutting-edge virtual reality and 3D game developments.
Allyn continues to work with her Miss District of Columbia platform - Breast Cancer Prevention. Notably, Allyn served as the keynote speaker at the 2017 Breast Cancer Summit in New York and received the Lifetime Achievement Award for her continued dedication to educating women in breast cancer prevention. |
*Photo by Claire Buffie Photography.
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Ashley Boalch Darby | Miss DC 2011Ashley Boalch Darby is an entrepreneur with a passion for hospitality, philanthropy and holistic health. She currently owns Oz Restaurant and Bar and stars on Bravo’s Real Housewives of Potomac with her husband, Michael.
As a native of Sandy Spring, MD, a suburb of Washington, DC, Ashley learned from a young age that contributing to the well-being of one’s community brings greater fulfillment than individual achievements alone. Ashley was crowned Miss District of Columbia in 2011, and competed in the iconic Miss America pageant in Las Vegas, NV. There she received the first John Curran Journalism award for her interview skills. Ashley also began volunteering with the Children’s Miracle Network hospital, the Network for Teaching Entrepreneurship and The Boys and Girls Club Organization. |
*Photo by Sonya Gavankar McKay
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Jen Corey Baca | Miss DC 2009
Jen Corey Baca is the Associate Director of Business Development for AtlanticLIVE at The Atlantic. She works with underwriters to support live journalism events all over the world.
Prior to joining Atlantic Media, Jen was the Director of Corporate Events at McChrystal Group, LLC and was the Director of Special Events and lead strategist at J Street Group, LLC, a boutique international event production company. In 2009 Jen was crowned Miss District of Columbia and finished in the Top 10 at Miss America 2010. During her year of service, Jen served as the local ambassador for the Children’s Miracle Network. She worked closely with Goodwill of Greater Washington with her platform called “Let’s Talk Trash,” which promoted recycling and reusing. |
Kate Marie Grinold Sigfusson | Miss DC 2008
Kate Marie became Miss DC 2008 two weeks after receiving her BA in International Affairs from the George Washington University. With a passion for human rights, she became the first Miss America contestant to establish a platform of service on the issue of human trafficking, working full time with an international non-profit organization during her year of service to bring awareness of domestic minor sex trafficking to millions of Americans.
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Shayna Rudd | Miss DC 2007
Shayna is currently a MBA student at Trinity University concentrating in non-profit management. She is also the CEO/Founder of the Ladydiva Corporation, a non-profit that seeks to cultivate, encourage and empower young women ages 14-20 from impoverished areas in the District of Columbia and Philadelphia, PA.
Shayna will be featured in the CW new reality show about DC socialites entitled, “Blonde Charity Mafia.” Additionally Shayna is officially an author. Her book, “Living and Learning: The LadyDiva Guide to Embracing the Truth About You!” will be released this fall! Despite her many accomplishments, Shayna’s greatest achievement is being a high school English and creative writing teacher for students in DC. Most recently Shayna was crowned Miss Black USA. |
*Photo by Moshe Zusman
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Kate Michael | Miss DC 2006
Kate Michael (@theauthentikate) is a Writer, Emcee, On-Camera Host and Fashion/Commercial Model based in NYC.
Notable as a competitor in the Miss America pageant in 2007 (serving as Miss District of Columbia), Kate currently works as a professional lifestyle spokesperson and model. In addition to walking the runway for such fashion industry icons as Valentino, Escada, Dior, Badgely Mischka, Monique Lhuillier, and Oscar de la Renta, Kate is a luxury lifestyle Editor for websites Pursuitist and K Street Magazine, and a regular contributor to WomensHealth.com. |
Shannon Schambeau Patterson | Miss DC 2005
Shannon was the Manager for Donor Relationship Management for the Special Olympics International Headquarters in Washington, D.C. She has been a volunteer, advocate and fundraiser for special needs children for over 27 years. Shannon holds a Master’s in Business Administration and a Bachelor of Arts degree in Business Administration from St. Leo University.
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Therese Lizardo-Escaño | Miss DC 2004
Therese is a graduate of The George Washington University. She graduated Cum Laude and she holds degrees in Biology, Psychology, and Women’s Studies. She graduated in 2002, is now a medical student at The George Washington University School of Medicine and Health Sciences.
Prior to entering medical school, Therese conducted oncology research at GWU’s Department of Pharmacology and Physiology. Therese is also very active with global health. She traveled to third world countries with the Operation Hope Medical Mission, and she assisted a team of physicians who performed cleft lip and palate facial reconstructive surgeries. |
Lisa Ferris | Miss DC 2003
The honor of wearing the Miss District of Columbia crown in 2003 encouraged Lisa to continue her pursuit of a career in the performing arts. After graduating Cum Laude from The Catholic University of America with a Bachelor of Music in Musical Theater in 2006, Lisa left D.C. to pursue her professional stage career in New York City. Shortly thereafter, Lisa was hired by the Tony Award winning Utah Shakespeare Festival where she played Young Maria in the World Premiere of Lend Me A Tenor: The Musical, Olivia in Shakespeare’s Twelfth Night, and was a featured performer in The Greenshow. Lisa returned to the festival for an additional two seasons where she played leading roles in The Taming of the Shrew, The Comedy of Errors, The Secret Garden, and Fiddler on the Roof. |
Sarah-Elizabeth Langford | Miss DC 2002
Sarah-Elizabeth grew up in Georgia where her father was a state senator. After graduating from Pace Academy, she earned a degree in French from the University of Michigan in 2000, where she was an All-American member of the gymnastics team. She graduated from Howard University School of Law and then did a fellowship in D.C. called “Capitol City Fellows.” In 2007 she moved from DC to Atlanta to
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Marshawn Evans | Miss DC 2001
Former Miss America finalist and Entertainment Attorney, is the founder of ME Unlimited (Marshawn Evans Unlimited), a corporate consulting firm focusing on peak performance, diversity, workforce readiness, and leadership strategies. ME Unlimited consults with Fortune 500 companies and HR departments on leading peak performance strategies, while offering insight from the world of professional sports, employment law principles, and competitive industries.
A graduate of Georgetown Law, Marshawn practiced with one of Atlanta’s most prestigious law firms, and has been featured by Glamour Magazine, USA Today, The Big Idea with Donny Deutsch, ABC, Fox News, and NBC’s The Apprentice with Donald Trump. |
Rashida Jolley | Miss DC 2000
Rashida is a rare talent. She is a harpist, vocalist, songwriter, composer, arranger and recording artist. Her talents have landed her a blitz of television, radio and publication coverage. The product of a great line of musicians and motivational speakers, Rashida has a diverse background in performing. She combines her vast knowledge of pop culture with entertaining renditions of Top-40 music.
Rashida’s many vocal and harp performances at concert halls, embassies, universities, schools, conferences, political functions and other venues has produced numerous rewards and many industry accolades. This gifted musician has performed at the John F. Kennedy Center for the Performing Arts, the Lincoln Theatre and various sporting venues. Recently, Rashida opened for R&B sensation, John Legend. In 2004, she released her first CD “Love is not a Game.” |
Toyia Taylor | Miss DC 1999
Toyia is currently the Urban Leaders Program Director for the organization Girls for Gender Equity, Inc. Girls for Gender Equity is committed to the physical, psychological, social and economic development of girls and women. Through education, organizing and physical fitness, Girls for Gender Equity encourages communities to remove barriers and create opportunities for girls and women to live self-determined lives.
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Nicole Messina Billow | Miss DC 1998
Nicole Billow is a Financial Advisor with Morgan Stanley in Voorhees, NJ. As a mother of two young boys, Nicole knows the importance of planning daily to get the most out of the day for herself, her family and her clients. Nicole brings her planning mentality to her business, focusing on retirement and wealth accumulation planning for individuals and companies.
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Sonya Gavankar McKay | Miss DC 1997
Sonya Gavankar is a communicator who uses dynamic story-telling techniques as a spokesperson, television and podcast host, filmmaker and social multi-media content creator.
Her work with the Newseum brings a cohesive voice to the its 250,000 square feet of exhibit and interactive programming. She can be seen hosting programs and giving commentary on everything from hard news to cooking shows on ABC and CBS affiliates, PBS, QVC and even the Puppy Bowl! For close to two decades she has trained millennials for job interviews using a unique connection between personal brand building and social graces. The launch of HerExchange.com brings a new perspective to insightful conversations and professional development tools with a cross platform approach of the written word, podcasts and live workshops. Philanthropy is an important part of her life. She serves on several national boards that focus on education and social change, like the Hugh O’Brian Foundation, The Miss America Organization and Ladies America. |
Tricia Morrin Lloyd | Miss DC 1988
Tricia just finished seven years as Executive Director of the U.S. Office in Washington, D.C. for the Pontifical North American College, the American seminary in Rome. Many consider it to be the West Point of the Catholic Church. She was their chief fundraiser and recently completed a $25 million capital campaign. One perk that went with her job was meeting Pope John Paul II in her wedding dress, with her husband, John, so the Holy Father could bless their marriage. She said “he was just so incredible and kind,” and chuckles, “no pressure there!”
If you want to know key things about visiting Rome and which restaurants not to miss, she is the one to tap. Tricia serves as President of the Miss D.C. Scholarship Organization and is always looking for good volunteers who will step up to the plate to help! She welcomes those who would like to assist the scholarship fund! Additionally, Tricia is a volunteer with the Junior League of Washington, President of the Downtown Washington Sierra Club, a Dame in the Order of Malta and in the Constantinian Order of St. George and a member of the John Carroll Society. |
Chelsey Sophia Rodgers
First Runner-up - 2007
First Runner-up - 2006 Miss District of Columbia USA 2008 Chelsey Rodgers, a graduate of Howard University School of Law, currently works as a lawyer in New York. She is also a freelance writer and model for various publications including Black Health Magazine, AUC Magazine and BIAS Magazine. She has been featured in the online magazine, Smartsista, is a published author in two anthologies, and currently serves as Editor-at-Large of Urban Trends magazine. Chelsey received her juris doctorate in May 2008 from Howard University School of Law where she served as a student attorney for the Criminal Justice Clinic, Editor-in-Chief of the law school newspaper, and member of the Huver I. Brown Trial Advocacy Moot Court Team. |
Michelle Crosby
Contestant - 2006
Third Runner-up - 2007 Co-founder and Executive Director of two non-profit organizations dealing with science and technology in Washington, D.C., Michelle Crosby is a graduate of American University School of International Service with a minor in violin performance. Third-runner up in the Miss District of Columbia 2007 pageant, and third runner-up in the Miss National Sweetheart Pageant, Michelle also placed first in the Interview competition. |
Safiya Songhai
1st runner-up - 2003
2nd runner-up - 2001 Safiya graduated summa cum laude from Howard University, and will receive her Master’s in Fine Arts from New York University graduate film Program and the Tisch School of the Arts. She won a Student Emmy from the DC chapter of the National Academy of Television Arts and Sciences. She is also working in the areas of voice- over talent, film direction and television production and has recently won the title of Miss Black Massachusetts. |
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