Congressional aides vie to be crowned Miss DC

It turns out that several of this year’s Miss District of Columbia contestants aren’t just pretty faces — they’re working it onstage while working for members of Congress.

Perianne Boring is one of the 16 ladies vying to win the Miss D.C. title and represent the city in the Miss America pageant. 

But when she’s not strutting her stuff in competitions, life isn’t exactly so glamorous. The University of Florida grad doubles as the constituent relations director for Rep. Dennis Ross (R-Fla.).

Boring, 23, reveals she’s “very low on the totem pole at the office.”

While she calls Ross a “phenomenal public speaker” and says that he’s shared a few pointers with her, there’s one area where her boss isn’t offering any advice: “He did not give me fashion tips!” she says.

She’s not the only one with a congressional connection. Other lawmakers whose aides are competing in the pageant include Reps. Donald Payne (D-N.J.) and Bennie Thompson (D-Miss.). 

Two Miss D.C. contestants work in the White House, and another was recruited for her paralegal job by the Securities and Exchange Commission.

Miss D.C. 2011 will be crowned this Sunday at the Arena Stage.

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