Intern’s genealogy dates back to Mayflower

It’s fitting that Emily Pomeroy should find her way to the nation’s capital for a summer internship, since her family arrived on the Mayflower in Plymouth, Mass., nearly 400 years ago and helped found the America we know.

Pomeroy, 21, does not have the details surrounding her family tree memorized, but said a family member charted the family’s lineage back to biblical times.

Pomeroy is Mormon, like her boss, Rep. Chris Cannon (R-Utah), and used the Church of Latter Day Saints’ version of Craigslist to secure an apartment in Virginia that she shares with three female Mormons who also work on the Hill.

As a newcomer to D.C. politics, she often finds herself facing questions about her feelings regarding President Bush. Though the president’s approval rating hovers around 30 percent, he can count Pomeroy as a fan. “I would love to see the president while I’m here,” she said. “I think he’s really cool.”

Like all interns, Pomeroy takes constituents on Capitol tours. She loves Statuary Hall best, especially the statue of famed Mormon leader Brigham Young sculpted by Young’s grandson.

After high school, Pomeroy, a Utah native, attended Brigham Young University to study geography with an emphasis in urban and rural environmental planning, which she plans to continue with a master’s degree.

She has two favorite books that she alternates between: the LSAT preparatory guide and the GRE preparatory guide.

Pomeroy represents the second generation in her family not to make a living from farming, but agricultural is still in her blood; she wants to major in environmental law.

An avid volleyball player growing up, Pomeroy’s knees and joints aren’t what they used to be and have forced her to stop playing. “I can pop pretty much every bone in my body and it freaks people out because they’re like, ‘Don’t rip your arm out of its socket,’ ” she said.

Pomeroy, especially prone to accidents, spent three out of her four high school years on crutches.

That wasn’t her only hardship. As a Mormon, Pomeroy has faced the stereotype of others believing that all Mormons are polygamists. She is the third generation in her family not to be in a polygamist relationship.

“That’s probably been the biggest thing I’ve had to explain to people, that we’re not polygamists anymore,” she said