OCEAN CITY – Antonella DiAntonio has ensured her parents won’t get much rest, but they don’t mind. They feel blessed. Antonella was crowned Junior Miss Ocean City 2023 on Saturday on stage at the Ocean City Music Pier, the night after her little sister, Arianna, finished her year as Little Miss Ocean City.
And before Arianna was Little Miss, Antonella wore that crown for two straight years because the pandemic canceled the pageant for a year, extending her reign.
Ocean City’s queens – including Miss Ocean City – are ambassadors for America’s Greatest Family Resort. That means representing Ocean City at scores of events throughout the year, keeping their family busy ferrying them around. For the DiAntonio family, that is on top of of all the driving done for dance classes throughout the week.
“This keeps me very busy,” her mother, Angelina DiAntonio, said. “I live in a car. I love it and I enjoy it.”
“Antonella loves representing the city of Ocean City and all the charity work that she does with the children,” she added. “She worked hard, she wanted it and she did it. She did all the extra steps to get to it. It’s all her, it’s not me. I’m very proud of her, immensely.”
“I am literally over the moon with excitement and I’m definitely not going to go to bed tonight because I’m so excited,” Antonella said minutes after being crowned and mobbed by friends and family members.
“I’m so excited to have this phenomenal opportunity and this experience with new queens and I’m really excited for the year ahead.”
Antonella said the event she is looking forward to most is the Halloween Parade “because it is close to my birthday.”
The rising freshman at Ocean City High School will be turning 15 in October. Her favorite subjects are math and physics. Heading to high school is a plus for her because she will be going to school with a bunch of her older cousins. She and her family live in Sea Isle City.
Antonella won the talent completion with a dance choreographed by her dance teacher. “She’s amazing,” she said. Her favorite styles of dance are acro/contortion and ballet. “Those are the two styles I execute the best,” she said, and “they make me the most happy.”
She hasn’t considered a career yet given she is just beginning high school, but notes “dance is always going to be part of my life.”
When she’s not dancing, Antonella said, “I love to spend time with my family and friends and have quality time with them.”
“God is good to all of us. Prayers are answered,” said Antonella’s father, Anthony. “The organization with the pageant recognizes the talent that is in all of these girls. I appreciate the blessing Ocean City has given us all. To have it continue going like this, my heart keeps pounding. It’s new every time my daughters seem to come through and do their best, it really blesses my heart. Thank you to Ocean City for this opportunity and I’m thankful for just being able to be a father to them.”
Her father said he is impressed with how hard his daughter works, not just for herself but for others, including little sister Arianna and the other contestants. “She really goes over and above to help them win and do their best. She just puts herself out there. I’m blessed to have girls like that.”
Seven girls competed for the title, including first runner-up Sarah Smith, second runner-up Isabella Papandrew, Gia Ermilio, Paloma Chevere, Holly Aiken and Brooke DeLanzo.
Former Junior Miss Ocean City Emily Aita was the emcee for the evening. Samantha Heckler was the pageant director.
Junior Miss Ocean City 2023 Awards
Ad Book Sales, Sarah Smith
Hostess Award, Paloma Chevere
Photogenic Award, Isabella Papandrew
Evelyn Reed Spirit Award, Holly Aiken
Miss Congeniality, Gia Ermilio
Community Involvement, Antonella DiAntonio
Scholastic Award, Antonella DiAntonio
Poise and Composure, Antonella DiAntonio
On-stage Question, Antonella DiAntonio
Interview, Antonella DiAntonio
Talent, Antonella DiAntonio
Second Runner-up, Isabella Papandrew
First Runner-up, Sarah Smith
Winner, Antonella DiAntonio
STORY and PHOTOS by DAVID NAHAN/Sentinel staff
