Where Are They Now?
Miss DC 2015
Haely Jardas
Miss DC 2014
Teresa Davis
Miss DC 2013
Bindhu Pamarthi
Miss DC 2012
Allyn Rose
Ashley Boalch
Miss DC 2011
Photo by Claire Buffie Photography
Stephanie Williams
Miss DC 2010
Jen Corey Baca
Miss DC 2009
Photo by Sonya Gavankar McKay
Jen Corey Baca is the Director of Corporate Events at the McChrystal Group. Jen leads long-term network growth for the firm, managing premier events that enable thought leaders to connect.
Prior to joining McChrystal Group Jen was the Director of Special Events and a lead strategist at J Street Group, LLC, a boutique international event production company. There, she helped run events for some of Washington DC’s most distinguished events, to include presidential inaugural events.
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. In 2010 Ms. Corey was named one of MSNBC’s BLTWY Top 40 Under 40 Who Changed DC in 2010.
Jen still serves on the board of the Miss District of Columbia Organization as the Secretary of the Board and the Executive Producer. She graduated with a degree in vocal performance from American University and an MBA from the Robert H. Smith School of Business at University of Maryland.
Jen lives a few doors down from Miss DC 1997, Sonya Gavankar, with her husband and two dogs.
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. After placing in the top ten at Miss America 2009 and completing her year as Miss DC, Kate Marie went on to leadership roles within a technology startup and later FAIR Girls, a prominent girls’ empowerment and anti-trafficking organization, where she began volunteering during her time as Miss DC. In 2014 Kate Marie founded Babies4Babies, a socially conscience e-commerce baby brand which she continues to run as CEO. In 2012 Kate Marie was named by the World Economic Forum as a millennial thought leader in the role of Global Shaper and has since gone on to become a leader in that community, co-founding the Chicago Global Shapers in 2013 and speaking on the issue of gender parity at the 2016 World Economic Forum Annual Meeting in Davos, Switzerland. While she will always call DC her hometown, Kate Marie lives an intentionally adventurous life between Chicago and Los Angeles with her husband and two young children. You can find and connect with her on Instagram @babies4babies.
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.
Kate Michael
Miss DC 2006
Shannon Schambeau
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 24 years. Shannon holds a Master’s in Business Administration and a Bachelor of Arts degree in Business Administration from St. Leo University. She was chosen as the Student Representative Commencement Speaker for the 2005 Graduate Programs. Shannon was a Magna Cum Laude graduate and received the Outstanding Student in Management and Outstanding Student in the School of Business 2002-2003 Awards from the University.
In January 2006, Shannon competed for the title of Miss America. She captured a swimsuit preliminary award and finished the competition as 4th runner-up. On November 10, 2007 Shannon married John Patterson, former Pitcher for the Washington Nationals. Shannon and John met at an appearance during her reign as Miss DC. They currently reside in Prosper, Texas and are expecting their first child. Shannon is a Real Estate Agent with Keller Williams and a Rodan+Fields Independent Consultant. Shannon is on the Miss DC Board and continues to stay involved with the Miss DC Organization.
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.
Therese is now a third year medical student at The George Washington University School of Medical and Health Sciences. She recently won first place at the GWU Medical Center Annual Research Day for her oncology research. Therese was also awarded the GWU SMHS Rosenberg Fellowship, as she was named the top applicant among 85 students who were awarded fellowships by the GWU SMHS.
Therese is very excited about her future. She is a student of GWU SMHS’s Integrative Medicine Track, as she believes that the most effective forms of healing involve mind-body wellness. She looks forward to incorporating complementary alternative medicine into her practice and helping her patients lead a healthy way of life, both physically and mentally. herese is the proud wife of Dr. Jude Escaño, CPT who just returned from serving with the U.S. Army in Iraq.
Lisa Ferris
Miss DC 2003
Lisa graduated from The Catholic University of America in 2006 with a Bachelor of Music and moved to New York shortly thereafter to continue to pursue theater. She recently was in Cedar City, Utah working with the Utah Shakespearean Festival. She played Young Maria in “Lend Me a Tenor: the Musical,” and danced in the ensemble of Twelfth Night and understudied the role of Olivia. In December 2007 she relocated to Las Vegas, Nevada where she is pursuing a Masters of Fine Arts at the University of Las Vegas.
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 do real estate development, specifically affordable housing for senior citizens. In addition she recently played a small role in a movie with Vivica Fox called “Three Can Play That Game.”
Langford’s first pageant experience came in 2003 when she competed for Miss DC and later Miss America. She performed gymnastics during the talent competition and won a non-finalist scholarship of $5,000.
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.
Marshawn’s successes in the classroom and the courtroom have taken her to the now infamous boardroom as one of Donald Trump’s handpicked candidates on Season 4 of NBC’s hit show, “The Apprentice; She travels the country as a professional lecturer, spokesperson, and speaking consultant. She has a newly released book, SKIRTS in the Boardroom: A Woman’s Survival Guide to Success in Business & Life (Wiley 2008). She is also Owner and President of EDGE 3M Sports & Entertainment (www.edge3m.com).
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.
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.
Nicole’s attention to detail is exercised daily as she works with clients to help them set goals, communicate their objectives and understand their risk tolerance in order to develop a customized, diversified portfolio. Nicole incorporates her prior work experience with the Ritz-Carlton Hotels to go above and beyond her clients’ expectations in providing service.
A graduate of the University of Maryland, College Park, Nicole now resides in Marlton, NJ with her husband, Mitch, and her two sons, Shane, 2 and Matthew, 10 months. In her spare time, she teaches dance classes and choreographs for young women competing in the Miss America Scholarship Program. Nicole was a preliminary talent winner and top ten finalist in the 1998 Miss America Pageant.
Sonya Gavankar McKay
Miss DC 1997
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.
We are proud of our Titleholders and our Former Contestants. There are so many success stories!
Chelsey Sophia Rodgers
First Runner-up 2007, First Runner-up 2006, and 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. She was a Howard Law Merit Fellow for two years and was recently awarded the CALI Academic Achievement Award in Legal Writing.
Rodgers graduated from Spelman College Summa Cum Laude with a Bachelor of Arts degree in Political Science and is a member of Phi Beta Kappa. A strong proponent of helping to strengthen the community, Chelsey wants to create two not-for-profit organizations, the Penelope Lynn Foundation, to provide self-esteem counseling and furnished, subsidized housing to women who have recently left battered women’s shelters, and the Vivian Joy Burley Cancer Foundation, to raise donations to fund research to find a cure for breast cancer. She is currently Director of the Miss DC Outstanding Teen Organization.
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.
Mistress of Ceremonies for the Turkish Fesitval 2007, and former concertmaster of American University Symphony Orchestra, Michelle recently won the title of Miss District of Columbia Earth: Nation’s Capital and competed for the national title in July 2008. She intends to pursue a Ph.D. in International Relations and hopes to continue with a life-long pursuit of public service. Michelle was married on May 30, 2009. She continues to stay involved with the Miss DC Organization and is serving as contestant coordinator for the 2009 Pageant.
Heather Hegedus
Contestant Miss DC 2000, 2001 Top 4 finalist, and 2002 1st runner-up
Heather Hegedus is a General Assignment Reporter and the Weekend Anchor at WFSB Hartford, the CBS Affiliate and #1 news station in Connecticut.
Since competing in Miss DC, Heather has spent the past 10 years moving around the Northeast for her career.
Heather graduated Magna Cum Laude from Georgetown University with a degree in Government. She spent a year at the London School of Economics in England. She has a Master’s of Science degree from Columbia University’s Graduate School of Journalism.
One of Heather’s first TV jobs, behind the scences, was at the NBC News Washington Bureau. Following the Sept. 11, 2001 terrorist attacks, Heather interviewed then Secretary of Defense Donald Rumsfeld, Jordan’s Queen Noor and field produced from the White House and Pentagon. Heather also worked at The NewsHour with Jim Lehrer, where she was chosen by PBS Magazine to interview Mr. Lehrer about his experiences moderating years of Presidential Debates.
Heather then moved to New York City and attended Columbia University’s Graduate School of Journalism.While in New York City, she spent time behind the camera for NY1 News, shooting from ground zero on the first commemoration of the attacks. From the streets of the Big Apple, Heather suddenly found herself in the small community of Binghamton, N.Y., as the main anchor/reporter at WIVT-TV. She covered everything from historic flooding in the region to the ambitions of then-NY Senator Hillary Rodham Clinton. She also Co-Anchored the 6 and 11pm news every night.
Heather’s next job wasn’t far away – in Syracuse, N.Y., where she was weekend anchor/reporter at WSYR-TV. She gained national exposure on The Weather Channel and CNN covering lake-effect snowstorms, and a Syracuse developer’s plans to build the world’s largest mall. Her work was included in compilations that earned the station Associated Press and Edward R. Murrow awards.
Heather continues to volunteer with STRIVE – a nationwide job training program- the same program she worked with while competing for Miss DC. She just bought her first home!
Safiya Songhai
2003 1st runner-up and 2001 2nd runner-up
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.
Miss District of Columbia Scholarship Organization 