Issue date: 1/1/08 Section: Entertainment

Media Credit: Courtesy Photo Shayna Rudd Miss DC

I recently sat down with one of the most beautiful and intelligent women in the United States to find out more about the reigning Miss District of Columbia Shayna Rudd. While she originally hails from west Philadelphia, Miss Rudd is a Howard University Alum and prior to becoming Miss DC taught in our city school as a member of Teach for America. On Jan. 26, Miss Rudd will be representing our city in the Miss America Pageant.


Q: Can you tell me about your experience in pageantry?

I started out with Miss Black and Gold and won at Howard. I went on to become the district, regional, and national Miss Black and Gold. I won Miss Howard University and the preliminary so [including Miss DC] that's seven pageants since 2005.

Q: Can you tell me about your teaching experience in D.C.?

I was accepted into Teach for America, they choose the best and the brightest college graduates to go to low-income areas to teach. They help children struggling with literacy in poverty stricken areas. They placed me at Anacostia where I teach special-education. I love my job. I am actually sad because I had to tell my kids I'm leaving. I love my job, I love my kids. I feel like I need to be on the other side; working for education policy I can help things get organized. Because, I think it really sucks and our children are suffering.

Q: Now that you've attained the title of Miss DC what does your future hold?

My life long dream is to be the next great voice for Black America whether through journalism or in the performing arts. I am an aspiring professor of African-American studies. Whatever way I'm doing it I want to empower America as a whole, but specifically people of African-American descent.

Q: Any jewels of wisdom you'd like to leave?

The lesson I've learned through all of this is when you have a dream, you stand on your dream. You don't allow anyone to deter you from what you want to do. Especially, when you know God is in something a lot of times the enemy will come against you and make you feel like the dream you have will never come to pass, because of circumstances. But, if you stand on your dream, and stand on what you want and what God is telling you to do, you will stand back and watch God work. That's what happened to me. Just GO FOR YOUR DREAMS!

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