Kayla Magazzu, a rising junior at Ocean City High School, never expected to walk away from the Miss Ocean City pageant with the crown.
On Saturday, Aug. 8, Magazzu was crowned Miss Ocean City 2027 at the Ocean City Music Pier, marking the beginning of a year she hopes will be filled with community events, new experiences, and opportunities to represent a town she has grown to love.
“I never went out expecting to crown,” Magazzu said. “This was very unexpected for me.”
Magazzu, who lives in Margate, is a student at Ocean City High School and entering her junior year this fall. Her journey to the Miss Ocean City stage began with a suggestion from her dance coach, Alyssa Morrison. Morrison, who founded Ocean City High School’s Dance Team, encouraged Magazzu to give the pageant a try.
Magazzu first competed in the Junior Miss Ocean City pageant last year, where she was named second runner-up. After enjoying the experience, she decided to return to the stage again this year.
“I just had so much fun and wanted to go back out for it again this year, and here we are,” she said.
For Magazzu, however, the pageant was about more than winning a title. She said she valued the opportunity to meet different people, interview with others, and gain experience on stage.
“I really was in it for the people and the learning experience,” Magazzu said. “Getting that on-stage experience can help improve you as a person.”
She believes that experience is one of the most important parts of participating in a pageant.
“You can benefit from it no matter what,” she said.
Now, as Miss Ocean City, Magazzu hopes to be someone younger members of the community can look up to.
“I think that Miss Ocean City is a great way for little kids to have someone to look up to,” she said. “I think that it’s great to be able to represent such an amazing town.”
Magazzu said she believes a successful title holder should be charitable, approachable and energetic, while genuinely wanting to serve in the role. “It’s really important to want to do it,” she said.
Her experience as a dance teacher has also allowed her to develop leadership skills. Magazzu has taught at Lesli’s Dance Studio in Ventnor City for the past few years and said she sees her new role as another opportunity to be someone others can approach.
“Being a title holder definitely comes with leadership,” she said.
With the title also comes responsibility, including attending events and communicating with the community. It is important to be present, and showing up proud of the community is also important, Magazzu commented.
During her upcoming year as Miss Ocean City, Magazzu is particularly looking forward to the city’s many parades and community events. One of her favorites is the Halloween Parade.
“I love the parades. I love the show,” she said. “I’m excited to actually be a part of it.”
She is also looking forward to Ocean City’s Christmas celebrations, including the annual tree lighting.
For Magazzu, representing Ocean City is especially meaningful because of her family’s connection to the Shore.
She said Ocean City has maintained a sense of character that allows it to remain a favorite place for children and families, even as the city continues to evolve.
“I feel like it pretty much stayed the same and held onto its character for so many years,” she said.
Her family grew up visiting the Shore, and she hopes those traditions continue with future generations.
“I really think that is special to Ocean City, and makes it different than other places,” Magazzu said.
As she begins her reign, Magazzu said she is grateful for the opportunity to represent a place she has grown up visiting and loving.
“I aim carry this title with grace,” she said. “I’m excited that I get to represent a place that I grew up loving so much.”
And while the crown may have been unexpected, Magazzu is ready for the year ahead.
“I’m really so grateful to hold this title,” she said. “I can’t wait for this year.”
