By Maddy Vitale
Experience, it seems, is overrated in the Little Miss Ocean City pageant.
For the second year in a row a newcomer captured the crown – and she did it in a big way. Nine-year-old Stevie Wright of Ocean City won the talent portion of the competition with an entertaining and commanding dance routine to “Singing in the Rain.”
In a surprising twist, the diminutive beauty then broke into “It’s Raining Men” to the applause of the crowd at Ocean City Music Pier Saturday night. But as quickly as Stevie transcended into that song, she seamlessly went back to whirling a bright yellow umbrella to “Singin’ in the Rain.”
There were 18 contestants in the pageant and all of them delighted the audience with dance, vocals, piano and even a routine with a football. Contestants were judged on scholarship, talent, poise and an interview segment with the judges.
After Stevie was crowned Little Miss Ocean City 2019, she hugged her fellow contestants and Little Miss Ocean City 2018 Ginger Mumman.
“I feel so surprised and happy. I want to spend all of my time with my new friends,” Stevie said, as tears streamed down her face.
Stevie’s mother, Stacie Wright, described her daughter as fun and sassy.
“I’m so proud because she worked so hard,” she said.
Brian Wright, Stevie’s father, said he was completely surprised. “At no point did she ever say she wanted to be in a pageant before,” he said with a laugh.
Grabbing first runner-up honors was Makenna Flemming, 11, the second runner-up went to Sarah Avellino, third runner-up was Alana Clevenger, 9, and fourth runner-up was Torrie Fanuelli, 10.
The pageant was emceed by Miss New Jersey 2019 Jamie Gialloreto, who kept the pace of the night going with jokes and even shared some funny personal stories, including meeting actor Mark Wahlberg.
She told the audience that she was so proud of the young girls and so impressed at their poise, bravery and incredible talent.
Miss Ocean City Megan Keenan 2019 performed the same tap dance routine to the James Brown song “Get Up Offa That Thing” that wowed the crowd at her pageant the week before, with the same gusto and smile.
The night opened with Little Miss Ocean City Ginger Mumman 2018 performing a dance routine to “How Far I’ll Go.”
During a farewell video played for the crowd, Ginger talked about how much she loved being Little Miss Ocean City and all of the wonderful people she met along the way, including Miss Ocean City 2018 Madison Leigh Kennelly and Junior Miss Ocean City 2018 Hope Aita.
The trio performed a routine to “How Far I’ll Go” and at the end gave a group hug.
Director of Community Services Michael Allegretto, who oversees the pageant, gave Ginger an “official Ocean City beach towel” and a key to the city on behalf of Mayor Jay Gillian.
“You have been a tremendous ambassador to the city,” Allegretto told Ginger.
Kristie Fenton, executive director of the pageant, called Ginger up to the podium and got emotional when she said how she watched her grow over the last year. Fenton said she has a sweet personality and she led with pride.
Those words brought Ginger to tears and they hugged.
When Ginger took her last walk down the runway as Little Miss Ocean City 2018 she received a standing ovation.
The new crown holder will have a very busy next 12 months. Little Miss Ocean City joins with Junior Miss Ocean City and Miss Ocean City in parades and other promotional events for the town.
The Little Miss Ocean City Pageant has been sponsored by the city’s Recreation Department for the past 29 years.
