SEA ISLE CITY – One of summer’s highlights took place July 10, when Sea Isle City’s Division of Tourism hosted the resort’s 2013 Little Miss & Junior Miss Sea Isle City Pageant. There were 11 Little Miss contestants (age 5-8) and 12 Junior Miss hopefuls (age 9-12).
After contestants were introduced, each briefly said a few words about herself and then answered random questions chosen from a basket by 2012 Little Miss Queen Vienna Valdez and 2012 Junior Miss Queen Flynn Krankowski.
Later, each of the pageant’s two age groups performed group song-and-dance routines, which were followed by a ballet performance by Miss Cape May County Lauren Fogarty. Afterwards, as judges chose winners, Miss Junior Teen New Jersey Tori Cookson entertained the audience and the contestants with a speech about her recent experiences in the Miss Teen United States Pageant.
Jennifer Fabrico was master of ceremonies. She is a teacher with the Pine Hill School District and a summer resident, who regularly volunteers in the community. Winners were chosen by judges Bill Geiger, of Abington, Pa., Barbara Pringle, of Lansdowne, Va., and Adrienne Smith, of Williamstown. All judges are summer residents of Sea Isle City.
When the moment of truth arrived, each contestant was on the edge of their seat as Fabrico announced winners. A moment later, Fogarty and Cookson placed sparkling tiaras on the heads of 2013 Little Miss Queen Madalyn Delaney, 8, from Sewell, and 2013 Junior Miss Queen Rachel Sofroney, 12, of Sea Isle City.
The winners also received sashes, scepters, trophies and fresh floral bouquets.
The 2013 “court” of runners-up consisted of Little Miss 1st Princess Gina McBrearty, 8, of Cedar Brook,; Little Miss 2nd Princess Olivia Bennis, 8, of Sewell; Junior Miss 1st Princess Erin Fuzer, 12, of Mt. Laurel; and Junior Miss 2nd Princess Noelle Mink,10, of Garnet Valley, Pa.
Each member of the court also received sashes, trophies and flowers. Additionally, each contestant received a gift bag, courtesy of Colleen Falcone, owner of Groovy Girlz on Landis Avenue, as well as miniature commemorative trophies.
At the close of the pageant, Fabrico announced that all of the pageant’s 23 contestants are invited to appear on a float during Sea Isle City’s 2013 Baby Parade, which will delight spectators along the resort’s Promenade on July 17.