She had been first runner-up in the pageant for the past three years
OCEAN CITY – Always the bridesmaid, never the bride? Not this time.
After three years finishing as the first runner-up, Harper Juelg was crowned Little Miss Ocean City 2026 Friday evening, Aug. 15, at the Ocean City Music Pier.
Juelg burst into tears when her name was called.
She barely stopped crying for the next half hour as the other pageant queens pinned the crown on her head and placed a sash around her, as she walked the runway, as scores of her friends hugged and congratulated her, as she posed for photos on stage and outside, and took part in her first interview.
The tears kept flowing, but her smile kept making an appearance.
The 11-year-old Ocean City girl, who will be entering sixth grade at Ocean City Intermediate School, said she was surprised when mistress of ceremonies Natalie Ragazzo-Williamson called her name.
She had already won the preliminary awards for poise and composure and interview, smiling broadly when those were announced.
“It’s like a dream come true,” Harper said between tears. “I don’t know what’s happening.”
She acknowledged it was an emotional moment for her.
“It was definitely a surprise when they called my name.”
Harper said she likes to spend time with her family and siblings and hang out with her friends surfing and at the beach. (In the winter she likes to go to Vermont to ski.) She also likes to ride bikes and play lacrosse.
Harper said she is looking forward to the many events that are on the agenda for Little Miss and her crown sisters, newly crowned Miss Ocean City 2026 Antonella DiAntonio and the Junior Miss Ocean City 2026 who was to be crowned the following night.
In particular she’s looking forward the Wacky Wednesday events that involve edible ingredients, including the taffy sculpting and pie-eating contests.
Harper posed for photos with her dad and mom, Wes and Ashley, and siblings Gunner, Lincoln and Rip.
“She had a great time being part of it,” her father said. “It’s an awesome thing that they do here. She made a lot of friends. She’s very giving, very good, a friendly, light-hearted kid.”
“She is the hardest working girl I know,” her mom said. “She’s wanted this and worked so hard for this for so long. I’m just in awe of everything she’s done.”
She pointed out Harper competed three times before in the Little Miss pageant.
“She’s gotten first runner-up the past three years,” Ashley said. “She was ready. She was just so prepared for this.”
The 14 contestants in the pageant for 8- to 11-year-olds competed in four categories, scholastic achievement, interview, talent and poise and composure. The first two were done prior to the pageant. Harper’s talent was dance.
Outgoing Little Miss Ocean City 2025 Taegen Vivarelli performed a dance with Junior Miss Ocean City 2025 Sarah Smith and DiAntonio performed her talent dance routine from the prior week’s Miss Ocean City Pageant.
Judges chairman Emily Aita introduced the five judges, Paige DiAngelo, Augustina Mallous, Charlsie Morgan, Dana Piccoli Spoltore and Maria Scarduzio.
Kristie Fenton is the director of the pageant, Kylie Kilmer the choreographer and Sally Onesty the hair stylist. Joan Timmons handled stage design/production, Denise Jessel was hospitality chair, Cindy Food the hostess chair and Amanda Pannone did the program and graphic design. Auditor was Mary Pavoni of Ford Scott.
The pageant winners are ambassadors for Ocean City, appearing at scores of events throughout the year.
Little Miss Ocean City
2026 Awards
Contestants included Olivia Vogt, Ariana Januzi and Dylaney Perry.
Golf third place, Scout Berenato
Golf second place, Aura Pepe
Golf first place, Alexa Rosetti
Essay third runner-up, Harper Juelg
Essay second runner-up, Scout Berenato
Essay first runner-up, Alexa Rosetti
Essay winner, Ashlynn Ruskoski
Bowfish Kids Originality Award, Aura Pepe
Compassion, Kindness and Sincerity Award, Adriana Vogt
Sunshine Award, Sophia Mazza
Miss Congeniality, Naomi Bickley
Miss Photogenic, Harper Juelg
Tracy White Spirit Award, Scout Berenato
Hostess Award, Isla Sykes
Talent Recognition Award, Aura Pepe
Interview Recognition Award, Scout Berenato
Scholastic Recognition Award, Siena Kolins
Poise and Composure Recognition Award, Sophia Mazzu
Talent Award, Naomi Bickley
Interview Award, Harper Juelg
Scholastic Award, Alexa Rosetti
Poise and Composure Award, Harper Juelg
Fourth runner-up, Ashlynn Ruskoski.
Third runner-up, Rose Bickings.
Second runner-up, Isla Sykes.
First runner-up, Alexa Rosetti.
Winner is Harper Juelg.
– STORY and PHOTOS by DAVID NAHAN/Sentinel staff
