There’s a new Miss OC in town
Since she was a little girl, performing has been Taylor Mulford’s passion.
This was why, when the 16-year-old competed in the Miss Ocean City Pageant in August, her mission wasn’t to win it all – as a relative newcomer to the pageant circuit, she wasn’t expecting the crown – but to just win the talent competition.
“That was the one thing I really, really wanted during the pageant,” Taylor said.
For her performance, the current Ocean City High School junior belted out Megan Hilty’s “They Just Keep Moving the Line,” and the hit from Smash must have resonated with the judges, because Taylor did win the talent competition in a moment she called “the most magical thing” she ever experienced.
With her dream accomplished, she was ready to walk right off stage.
She didn’t, of course, and that turned out to be a very good thing, since Taylor went on to be named Miss Ocean City 2025.
“Oh, wow,” Taylor thoughtfully commented when asked about her win. “That was out of left field for me. I feel like I did my best, but I didn’t think I was going to earn it. It was such an honor to have this title. It’s wonderful. I represent the city.”
Continuing a legacy
Taylor isn’t the first Miss Ocean City in the family. Her grandmother, retired OCHS art teacher Virginia Mulford, took the crown in 1971. And the pageant is a true family affair, with Taylor’s mom, Shawna Mulford, part of the competition during her teen years, too.
“It was very, very special because I got to follow in my grandmother’s footsteps,” Taylor said.
This family legacy was one of the reasons the Upper Township resident decided to compete – along with the Miss Ocean City legacy itself.
“I wanted to be part of a legacy to inspire little girls,” she said. “I want to inspire them to be the best versions of themselves.”
The pageant’s scholarships were a nice draw, too, especially since Taylor’s parents will be looking at college times two when Taylor and her twin brother, Jackson, both graduate in 2026.
“And being able to represent my city,” Taylor said, “was just a really cool opportunity.”
Serving the people
When Taylor discusses her reign, it’s clear she doesn’t see the crown as her own – she sees it as belonging to the community, and her chance to wear it a privilege. When she is in public as Miss Ocean City, Taylor loves interacting with the crowds and meeting residents.
“I love the fact that she’s really taking this and making this not about her. She’s making this about all of us,” Taylor’s mom, Shawna, remarked. “Which I think we need a lot more of in today’s society.”
This mindset was especially clear two months ago when Taylor attended the 9/11 Remembrance Ceremony as Miss Ocean City.
“Taylor wasn’t born when 9/11 happened, so sometimes it’s kind of difficult educating students and telling them what 9/11 truly was and having them connect with their feelings,” Shawna, a school psychologist, explained.
On September 11, as Ocean City firefighter Brian Green shared his personal experiences helping at Ground Zero in New York City 23 years ago, something clicked for Taylor. 9/11 became more than a terrible past tragedy from her history book.
“Taylor was sitting up there and almost started crying,” Shawna said. “I really felt in that moment she connected with 9/11.”
As Taylor took to the podium to sing “God Bless America,” she recognized the moment was not about her. It was about everyone – and she wanted it to feel that way.
“I asked everyone to sing with me because I didn’t think it was just my song to sing,” Taylor said.
The entire crowd joined in song, with Taylor leading the way.
These are the moments Taylor loves most about her reign – getting to connect with people.
“It’s a whole new world,” she said. “With Junior Miss Sarah Smith and Little Miss Taegen Vivarelli – every experience we’ve got to do and connect with people has been so amazing.”
Wearing many crowns (and costumes)
Taylor and her mom both joke that winning Miss Ocean City wasn’t in the plan – the Mulford family schedule was already packed tight, and Taylor’s personal schedule was no exception.
Taylor has worked at her family’s company, Let’s Party Events, for years, portraying princesses and characters for children’s parties and special events – 47, she estimates, in all.
“We bring Disney to your door,” Taylor said.
In addition to bringing Elsa, Ariel and others to life, Taylor does face painting and glitter tattoos, too – but not balloon art, which is her brother’s forte.
“I can’t do it,” she said with a laugh. “I’m working hard at it.”
The teenager also performs and volunteers with the Avalon Players. Most recently she performed as the Witch in “Into the Woods” in 2024 and Evie in “The Descendants” last year, and she’s volunteering with the children in “Frozen Kids,” which hits the stage in December.
“The kids are amazing,” she said.
Next year is the full version of “Cinderella,” the title role one Taylor has coveted every since her mom played Cinderella at her third birthday party.
“I’ve always wanted to play Cinderella,” she said. “She’s gorgeous, elegant, has a lot of courage. She’s kind and she’s brave. I want to be like her someday, hopefully. Playing her on stage and being able to showcase her story would be my dream.”
Taylor also squeezes in classes at Walnut Street Theatre in Philadelphia and will be auditioning for “Aladdin Jr.” this year, too.
“The Genie would be cool to play,” Taylor said. “Jasmine, I wish, but I don’t think I could sing that high.”
In school, Taylor’s favorite class is English, with reading a favorite pastime. She’s Tri-M vice president – a national musical honor society – and is part of the OCHS Drama Guild. This spring, she’s auditioning for the school musical, “Chicago.”
Taylor has her sights set on going to Wagner College in New York City, where she hopes to major in musical theater and minor in psychology. Whether performing turns into a career is yet to be seen, but Taylor said it will always be part of her life.
Continuing her reign
This month, Taylor is excited to stop by Ocean City Primary School and read to the students. She gets to choose the book, and she’s pretty set on “Taylor the Tooting Turkey,” a book Taylor’s mom bought for her little sister years ago.
“This story really has impacted me throughout my life,” Taylor laughed.
Shawna said she thinks the book will make Taylor “more human” to the little kids, too.
“The one word we keep saying is connectivity. Connection with the crowds. She doesn’t want her reign to be about smiling and waving,” Shawna said.
“Miss Ocean City isn’t about me. It’s about everybody,” Taylor agreed. “It’s about connecting with and serving the people.”
This article originally appeared in the November/December issue of Ocean City Magazine.