Mar-Del Watermelon Queen Scholarship Program
The Maryland Delaware (Mar-Del) Watermelon Association Queen Program is an outstanding opportunity for you to grow, be challenged, travel, and excel as an
ambassador for the watermelon industry.
As Mar-Del Watermelon Queen, you will promote the consumption of watermelon and the benefits of buying local produce, as well as help share farmer stories.
This program is part of the Maryland Delaware Association’s overall effort to increase sales and awareness of Maryland and Delaware’s watermelon production.
Queen Appearance
Have our 2025 Queen, Caroline Allen , participate in your next event! Simply contact Terra Eby, Mar-Del Watermelon Association Promotion Coordinator, via email with details about your event as soon as possible. All requests are subject to availability.
Terra Elby’s Email: mardelqueencoord@aol.com
2025 Mar-Del Watermelon Scholarship Application
Who Should Apply?
Applicants must be 18 years of age. Young women interested in careers in marketing, social media, communications, agriculture, political science, or business are highly encouraged to apply.
As the Mar-Del Watermelon Queen, you will:
- Be awarded a $5,000 scholarship, $1,500 in clothing allowance, $95/day for each promotion, and all travel expenses covered by Mar-Del Watermelon Association.
- Gain promotion and event marketing experience.
- Make lasting connections in the ag industry and beyond.
- Have opportunities to be featured in local and national media.
- Participate in social media promotions and engagements for the association.
- Experience new places while traveling for promotional events at grocery stores, festivals, sporting events, conferences, and more.
Applications will be available in September 2025
Our Watermelon Queens
Caroline Allen
2025 Queen
Caroline attends the University of North Carolina Greensboro, where she majors in finance. Upon graduating college in the spring of 2026, she hopes to transition to a career of promoting agriculture through consumer education.
Karlee Abbott
2024 Queen
Serving the community and volunteerism are dear to Karli’s heart. She is a certified Maryland Firefighter in the Trappe Volunteer Fire Company, secretary of the Bayside Quilters Guild, member of the Dorchester Young Farmers, Maryland Fur Trappers and the Talbot County Fair Committee. All provide her the opportunity to advocate and educate through creative storytelling and interactions to all ages. Together, her life experiences, education, and community involvement uniquely position her to effectively communicate and advocate for the association’s goals and values.
Brielle Carter
2023 Queen
Brielle says her passion for the agriculture industry and experience in leadership positions would make her an excellent Mar-Del Watermelon Queen. She has been blessed to grow up with agricultural leaders and family members that represent dedication and hard work. Being involved in organizations such as 4-H and FFA has deepened her understanding of agriculture and furthered her passion for the industry. In her FFA chapter, she learned through competitions and officer roles how to represent agriculture positively and address common misunderstandings. 4-H gave her knowledge in several project areas within agriculture and our environment, while teaching her how to serve the community. It’s also given her opportunities of leadership, such as meeting Congresswoman Lisa Blunt Rochestor, speaking in the House of Representatives on Legislative Day. Being deeply rooted in agriculture, Brielle will continue to advocate for the industry as she feels she is prepared to do so
Jenna Anger
2022 Queen
Jenna is the 19-year-old daughter of Neil and Gina Anger from Bridgeville, Delaware. She attends the University of Alabama where she majors in biology and environmental science with a minor in Spanish. She plans to attend Dental school, then return to Delmarva and practice as a Pediatric Dentist with a concentration in cosmetic work where she can connect with her patients of all ethnicities and backgrounds, teaching them the power of a smile, as it radiates confidence and positivity. She was the distinguished Young Woman of Delaware for 2020, an active member of Delaware 4-H and FFA programs and nationally certified Parliamentarian.
Leslie Webb
2020-2021 Queen
Miss Leslie Webb is the 19 year old daughter of Scott and Elaine Webb. As a former 4-H & FFA member, Leslie Webb knows she has the skills to speak in front of an audience in a way that effectively gets a message to listeners. Growing up in the 4-H program allowed Leslie the opportunity to serve in a variety of leadership roles from county 4-H Junior Council president to Delaware 4-H State Teen Council Vice President. She completed her Diamond Clover project, a program where youth undertake a major community development project including multiple hours of service learning in 2019.
The year previous, she was the Youth in Action Agriculture Pillar Delaware winner. Her involvement goes beyond 4-H to FFA as a state degree winner and officer in Lake Forest FFA and at the Delaware State Fair she won the Joy G. Sparks Memorial Tribute award and joined the Junior Fair board. These experiences led her to studying Environmental Engineering at University of Delaware in the honors program; where she plans to pursue a professional engineer license and obtain a master’s degree in soil science.
Summer Thomas
2019 Queen
Summer Thomas is the 19 year old daughter of Matthew and Jean Thomas from Marydel, Delaware. Summer is attending the University of Delaware where she is majoring in Agriculture and Natural Resources with a minor in Food and Agribusiness Management. Summer says traveling is her favorite hobby. She also enjoys cooking and being outdoors in her free time.
Gabby Hastings
2018 Queen
Gabrielle Hastings. Gabrielle is the 18 year old daughter of Jeff and Kim Hastings. Gabrielle is a student at the University of Delaware, majoring in Psychology and Pre-Med. She is employed by Jeff’s Greenhouses, Newark manor, and Pizza King.
Gabrielle’s list of accomplishments consist of Presidents gold seal award with an achievement of 4.0 academic standing. CPR and first aid certified, Certified nursing assistant. Vice president of community council housing management. Youth group leader, calculus and plant science tutor and 2016 Miss Laurel.
Her hobbies consist of playing sports especially field hockey and lacrosse, volunteering, hanging out with friends, gardening and doing anything on the farm.
Gabrielle’s plans for the future are to go onto medical school to become a pediatrician, then eventually buy her parents greenhouse business.
Gabrielle feels she would make the best public relations representative for the Mar-Del Watermelon Association because throughout her entire life she has always been a “little” saleswoman. Growing up on the farm and being around the greenhouses selling flowers, watermelons, cantaloupes, anything in that nature has allowed her to develop a passion for selling plants and produce. She has always been a people person and no crowd is ever too big or too small to do spontaneous speeches to connect with any audience. Whenever selling any product she says “ I always put the customer first and stay devoted to my product, which is what I will do if I become the Mar-del Watermelon Associations public relations representative. Gabrielle says what is better than a sweet “Mar-Delicious Watermelon!”
Connor Vincent
2017 Queen
Connor Vincent was crowned at the 2017 Mar-Del Watermelon Convention February in Cambridge, MD. Connor is the twenty one year old daughter of Clayton and Cheryl Vincent, of Laurel, DE. She recently graduated Cum Laude from North Carolina State University Agricultural Institute, earning an Associate’s Degree in Agribusiness Management. She will be continuing her education at Campbell University majoring in Pre-Law. Connor is a member of Delta Tau Alpha Agricultural Honor Society and was selected as the top student in her Agriculture Law class in the Fall of 2015. She is also the Sheep Species Chair for the Nort
Amy Wigglesworth
2016 Queen
Amy Wigglesworth, of Salisbury, MD is the 2016 Mar-Del Watermelon Queen. She is the 21 year old daughter of Traci and Mike Wigglesworth. Amy is a junior at the University of Salisbury, where she is studying Public Relations and Journalism Communications. Amy has held the title of Somerset County Fair Queen in 2013 and was a preliminary titleholder for the Miss America Organization in June of 2015.
Amy plans to continue using her talents to make a difference in the community and she hopes to bring awareness of the many things we have to offer on the shore, using her public relations skills.
Courtney Hastings
2015 Queen
Courtney is the 22 year old daughter of Shelley Hastings, the late Ray Hastings, and Dr. William Lane of Laurel, DE. Courtney just graduated with a BS in Communications from Stevenson University. Courtney plans on obtaining her Master’s degree in Communication Management, while working full-time in a public relations related position this fall. After gaining experience, she would like to own her own public relations firm and become a published author. Courtney’s hobbies include traveling, playing sports, running, reading, writing, color guard, photography, dance, and design.