By Maddy Vitale
Julia Wilson never gave up.
The 15-year-old Ocean City High School student persevered with tenacity, hard work and a powerful singing performance that commanded the attention of the audience and carried her to the title of Junior Miss Ocean City 2019 on Saturday night at the Music Pier.
For Julia, it was her sixth pageant, starting with the Little Miss Ocean City contest, before she graduated into the Junior Miss pageant for girls ages 12-15. However, this was her first win. Last year, she came very close, taking first runner-up honors.
After Julia was crowned Junior Miss Ocean City 2019, family and friends rushed to the stage.
“I am completely dumbfounded,” she said after her win.
Julia, who is active in the Ocean City Theater Company and performs in school drama productions, said, “I work really hard. My favorite thing to do is to be on the stage performing. It is just overwhelming seeing my hard work become a reality like this.”
Her beaming parents, Melissa and Tony Wilson, celebrated their daughter’s win with congratulatory hugs and selfies.
“I am so proud of her,” Melissa Wilson said with tears in her eyes. “She has worked very hard for this.”
Tony Wilson, an Ocean City Councilman said, “She just goes out of her way to make people happy. We are just so proud of her.”
She beat out 17 other contestants to win the crown. The first runner-up was Avery Fritsch, 14, second runner-up was Sarah Rodriguez, 14, third runner-up went to Jenna Wilkinson, 14, and fourth runner-up was Alexa Gershon, 15.
To be eligible for the pageant, the contestants must have ties to Ocean City. Contestants competed in the categories of talent, poise and composure, the judges’ interview and an on-stage question.
Julia wowed the crowd with a strong performance of “That’s Life,” to resounding applause from the audience.
She also won the onstage question portion of the pageant.
The pageant was emceed by Miss New Jersey 2019 Jamie Gialloreto. She also hosted the Little Miss Ocean City 2019 pageant on Friday night.
The new Little Miss Ocean City Stevie Wright and recently crowned Miss Ocean City Megan Keenan also appeared and added some fun to the event when they discussed what an exciting year it is to come.
Junior Miss Ocean City Hope Aita 2018 delighted the audience with her opening act to “Dancing Queen” and her finale to “Last Dance.” She engaged the crowd with her dance routines, smile and zaniness, really getting into the 1970s theme for the pageant night, sequins and all.
During a farewell video played for the audience, she gave special thanks to former Ocean City Public Relations Director Mark Soifer, who created many of the events she and her fellow “crown heads” attended. She also spoke about the support from her family. She said of Pageant Director Michael Hartman, “No words could sum up what you do. You never cease to amaze me.”
She also spoke of her bonds with Little Miss Ocean City 2018 Ginger Mumman and Miss Ocean City 2018 Madison Leigh Kennelly and all of the great memories they had together.
Hartman, who also serves as pageant choreographer, gave Hope a key to the city on behalf of the mayor.
“Hope, you have had an awesome year,” Hartman said. “I’m very proud of you.”
As for the new crown holder, Julia Wilson, she said she is ready to start her reign.
She will now take on the duties of ambassador for the city. Along with the other pageant winners, she will make publicity appearances at parades, contests and other special events.
