Miss O.C., Junior Miss and Little Miss to keep titles for an extra year
OCEAN CITY – Organizers for the Miss Ocean City, Junior Miss Ocean City and Little Miss Ocean City pageants have decided not to host competitions this August.
Instead, the three reigning 2020 titleholders will hold their respective titles until August 2021. The reality is pageant preparations need to move forward and with so much uncertainty regarding indoor performing arts-oriented events, social distance guidelines and occupancy limitations pageant organizers are at a crossroads in being able to proceed forward, a spokesperson for the pageants said.
The spokesperson explained all three programs rely on the participants experiencing fun activities outside of rehearsals around Ocean City, choreographed opening numbers, fully staged productions and more. It is the bonding and friendships that come from those experiences that really create special lifelong memories. Limiting the experience would have dire effects on the overall benefits from participating in one of the Ocean City pageants.
Rooted in the success of all three pageants is the support of local businesses, the spokesperson added. From ad sales to scholarship sponsors to contestant meals to prizes, pageant organizers feel it is not the right time to ask local businesses for donations and financial support. The time is to build up local business and show support to the many businesses who have generously donated thousands of dollars over the years.
Mary Grace Jamison (Miss Ocean City 2020), Natalie Argento (Junior Miss Ocean City 2020) and Antonella DiAntonio (Little Miss Ocean City 2020) have been wonderful ambassadors for America’s Greatest Family Resort. Despite having a very unique year with most of the normal events being canceled or moved to virtual formats, all three queens have adapted with the changes and shown outstanding professionalism, the spokesperson said. Their passion for Ocean City has called them to rework their year to feature live story times for kids on social media, creating cards for Wesley Manor residents, raising funds/awareness for OCNJ CARE and more. With the hopes of a normal year ahead, canceling summer pageants will give these three girls the chance to experience all that comes from being part of the events that make Ocean City famous and so memorable.
Looking to next year, age restrictions for Miss Ocean City will be raised by one year. Those contestants who age out of Little Miss will move into Junior Miss and those who age out of Junior Miss will move into Miss Ocean City.