2025 Mar-Del Watermelon Scholarship Application

 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 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 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.

Miss Leslie Webb is the 19 year old daughter of Scott and Elaine Webb.She

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.

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 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 North Carolina State University Animal Science Club.  Additionally, Connor served on the National Junior Suffolk Sheep Association Board of Directors from 2010-2016.  Connor raises and shows a registered flock of Border Leicester sheep, that have won several national championships and she designs clothing using their wool.  In addition to this unique hobby, Connor enjoys conducting farm tours on her family farm for middle and high school students, paddle boarding, fishing, and attending state fairs. 

In the future, Connor plans to become a consumer educator for food and agriculture for the USDA. She believes as an advocate for American agriculture, she will have the opportunity to promote the safest and cheapest food supply available anywhere in the world.