Our hometown magazine takes great pride in featuring people in our community who set goals, work hard and make their dreams come true. For Newtown Square resident Sarah Avellino, this past year has been “the best of my life!”
It all began last August when Sarah competed and won the Junior Miss Ocean City, NJ title. Wearing the crown and representing her beloved home away from home every summer was an accomplishment years in the making and one that Sarah and her family are very proud of. “From the time I was a little girl, I knew I wanted to compete in pageants,” Sarah said. “I began competing when I was eight years old and have loved every minute of it.”
Sarah said she first learned about the Ocean City pageants when she and her mom were trying to plan out her summer camp activities. “We were looking through the camp and activities brochure and saw a workshop and pageant for Little Miss Ocean City,” she recalled. “I read the description and asked my mom to sign me up!” Sarah added that she even convinced a few of her friends to do it with her.
For three years, she competed in the Little Miss pageant for girls ages 8-11. In 2018, Sarah was second runner-up, and in 2019 she was awarded third runner-up. Not to be deterred, she set her sights on winning and remained determined to keep working hard. “My family helped me so much by boosting my confidence and having faith in me,” Sarah explained. “My parents, brother and sister encouraged me to keep improving my singing and dancing technique and would even practice interview questions with me.”
Sarah was ready to compete again in 2023, but this time, it was for the Junior Miss Ocean City title. She was 14 years old when she took to the stage at Ocean City’s iconic Music Pier to earn the judges’ votes — the evening consisted of an interview portion, a talent show and an evening gown competition. Dressed in a gorgeous white sequin gown, Sarah sang a rendition of The Climb by Miley Cyrus that left the audience awestruck. In addition to her outstanding vocal performance, Sarah won the special award for Poise and Composure and the Miss Congeniality Award, chosen by her fellow contestants.
The anticipation mounted as the time had come to announce the winner. “When they called my name, I was in complete shock. I was speechless,” Sarah said. “I was just so proud I got up on that stage again whether I won or not.” Sarah’s parents, Scott and Mimi, and her siblings, Maggie, 21, and Scott, 23, hugged and congratulated her. “We are so proud of her,” Mimi said. “She has worked so hard.”
While there was much to celebrate that night, Mimi said that Sarah had dedicated the pageant to her late brother, Andrew, and late sister, Carly. Andrew passed away in an accident in 2009 at just 17 months old, and Carly died shortly after being born in 2014. “Sarah wore her special bracelet with orange and purple gemstones in memory of her brother and sister,” Mimi said. “And she had Andrew and Carly’s names engraved in her interview jacket.”
Sarah’s win that night was truly special for many reasons, and she said that this past year serving as Junior Miss Ocean City has been incredibly rewarding. Sarah enjoyed attending special events, participating in parades and meeting all the parents and kids who approached her to say hello and get photos. “My favorite was Night in Venice. We had so much fun on the boat and seeing all the houses and decorations,” she said. “We sang and danced all night.”
Sarah said that she truly appreciated the support she received from her family, whether it was at parades or events such as Wacky Wednesdays on Asbury Avenue. “They’re always there,” she said of her mom and dad. “And my Nannie and Poppie got to drive me through the parade routes in a convertible while my parents took pictures and my extended family cheered me on.” It was a total family affair, and Sarah is very grateful for them and all they have done for her this year.
“Overall, the part I enjoyed the most was getting to know the winners of Little Miss Ocean City, Stella Fleming and Miss Ocean City, Lola DeMarco,” Sarah remarked. “Lola is like a big sister to me now, and Stella is like a little sister.” Sarah added that getting to know them and the great people that they are, made this year even more amazing.
Sarah’s reign as Junior Miss Ocean City concluded on Saturday, August 17th, when she crowned her successor, Sarah Smith. “Although I am sad that it’s over, I am happy for Sarah,” she said. “I have known her since our Little Miss Ocean City days, and we have become very good friends over the years.”
So what’s next for our hometown queen? “I’m really busy with school and my extracurricular activities at Villa Maria,” she explained. “I sing in the church choir and school choir, am on the cheerleading team, serve as an ambassador for new students and just started rehearsals for Villa Maria’s musical production of Chicago: Teen Edition.” Sarah also spends her summers performing for the Ocean City Theater Company and working at Uncle Bill’s Pancake House.
“Spending this past year as Miss Junior Ocean City has been such a great experience that I would love to do it again, maybe in a few years, to compete for the title of Miss Ocean City,” Sarah said.
Sarah, we are very proud of you and the work you have done to realize your dream. Keep shooting for the stars! We will be here to cheer you on all the way!