Greetings from the Alabama Association!
This year has already started with a busy January
and February. Queen Montana and I were able
to enjoy the beautiful St. Simons Island during
the Georgia Watermelon Association Convention.
Then we were off to Maryland for a great MarDel
Watermelon Association Convention. Nothing can
compare to the wonderful weather and beautiful
La Quinta Resort in Palm Springs for the National
Watermelon Convention.
The Alabama Watermelon Association Convention
was held in February at the Beau Rivage Resort in
Biloxi, Mississippi. This year’s convention was
a huge success and could not have been possible
without our convention sponsors. We would like
to thank all the businesses and individuals that
donated or bought items at our annual auction.
Thank you again for all your support.
This year we had four wonderful young ladies
compete for position of the 2015 Alabama Watermelon Queen. Congratulations to the 2015 Queen
Lenze Morris from Ozark, 1st runner-up Paige
Severino from Enterprise and Miss Jubilee Kristy
SantaCruz from Bay Minette. Thank you to our
Queen Contestant Sponsors: Billy Smith-Billy
Smith’s Watermelons, Inc., Jeff Garrett - Clifton
Seed Company, Kendra Kennedy-Intergro, Jim
Mastropietro-International Paper, and Joe Watson-Rouses Supermarkets.
Queen Lenze and I are both very excited to get
started this year. We will be attending the Cooper
River Run in South Carolina in March and headed
to the National Watermelon Promotion Board
training in North Carolina in April. Following the
training we will start the 2015 Queen Tour visiting
elementary schools all across Alabama, attending
watermelon festivals and farmers markets, complete farm tours in Alabama, Georgia, and Florida,
and many other exciting promotions.
Last but not least, the Alabama Watermelon Association would like to congratulate our 2014 Queen
Montana Savage on being selected 2nd runner up
at the National Watermelon Queen Competition.
Montana has done a great job and has represented
the Alabama Association with great pride and
elegance! In addition, thank you to all that have
helped make her year so special!
See you all soon,
Katie Eubanks
Promotions Coordinator
Greetings from the Alabama Association!
The 32nd annual Alabama Watermelon Association
Convention was held in February at the Beau Rivage
Resort in Biloxi, Mississippi. The convention was full
of fun, excitement, and even karaoke! This year was a
great success and a special thank you to all the sponsors:
Allen Lund Company, Billy Smith’s Watermelons, Inc.,
Clifton Seed Company, Genecco Produce, International
Paper, LTF Greenhouses, McMelon, Inc, Morgan Wood
Products, National Watermelon Association, National
Watermelon Promotion Board, RockTenn, Sakata Seed,
Sunny Fresh, Valdosta Plant Company, and Williams
Manis Produce Marketing. Thank you all for making
our convention not only possible, but a great success.
There are a few more people who received awards
for their hard work, generosity, and support. Mr. Terry
Jones, Southern Quality Shippers received the King
Buyer Award and Mr. Rantz Smith, Smith Farms of Bell,
Inc received the King Donor Award. Ray Gilliland of
Ray Gilliland Melons received the Lifetime Achievement Award. Mrs. Corliss Smith of Billy Smith’s Watermelons received the Jan Ware Award. Mr. Jay Jones
of Sakata Seed received the Outstanding Service Award.
Thank you all for your dedication the association, it is
greatly appreciated!
One last farewell to the 2011 Alabama Watermelon
Queen, Miss Ann-Marie Urrutia. A special thank you
for all your hard work and dedication, over the past year.
You have represented the Alabama Association with
great pride and elegance! Ann-Marie has been an outstanding representative for our association. In addition,
thank you to all that helped make her year so special.
We had four outstanding young women compet-
ing for the 2012 Alabama Watermelon Queen position.
Miss Meghan Patterson of Thorsby, sponsored by Sunny
Fresh, Miss Leah Knight of Berry sponsored by McMelon, Miss Amber Nolin of Enterprise, sponsored by
Billy Smith’s Watermelons, and Miss Jaime Minor of
Muscle Shoals, sponsored by Gulf Seed. Congratulations to Miss Amber Nolin on your new role as the 2012
Alabama Watermelon Queen. Miss Amber is the 20
year old daughter of Greg and Renea Nolin. She lives
in Enterprise and attends Enterprise Sate Community
College.
Amber and I are both very excited to get this year
started. We will be attending the Florida Watermelon
Convention on March 23rd-25th in Tampa, FL. Following that Amber will attend the Queen Training hosted
by the National Watermelon Promotion Board, visit
elementary schools, attend watermelon festivals, and
complete a farm tour. Amber is eager to start her year
learning about and promoting watermelons.
Warmest Regards,
Katie Eubanks
Promotions Coordinator
Katie.eubanks2@gmail.com
Newly crowned Queen Amber with her sponsor, Mr. Billy and
Mrs. Corliss Smith.
Queen Amber with Mr. Kelley and Mrs. Jean Marinaro
An amazing group of “has beens!”
Queen Kimberly, Queen Whitney, Queen Amber, Queen Ann-
Marie, and Queen Katelyn
2nd runner up, Leah Knight, Queen Amber, and 1st runner up
Meghan Patterson
Queen Ann-Marie receiving her beautiful watermelon jewelry
from the AWA board.
Contestants ready for opening number.
Contestants getting tips on the seed spit competition from Mr.
Jeff Garrett.
Visiting Queens, contestants, board members and special guest
after the auction at the AWA convention.
All the beautiful contestants ready for evening gown
competition.
Queen Ann-Marie and Queen Katelyn, Congratulations on
Nationals Katelyn!
With Affirmed, Bold Ruler and Citation,
Growers across the country are enjoying the
benefits of wide adaptability, high yield,
excellent uniformity and sweet flavor.
© 2012 Sakata Seed America, Inc.
www.sakata.com
Ms. Mary Jones and Ms. Cheryl Hicks with Queen Montana at
the Georgia Convention.
Kendra Kennedy, 2015 AL Queen Lenze, and Steve Crowder
clowning around at the Alabama Convention.
Queen Montana and FL Queen Meagan Morgan enjoying the
band at the Alabama Convention.
The beautiful Queens enjoyed getting to see the historic light
house at St. Simons Island, GA.
Mr. Billy and Mrs. Corliss Smith congratulate Lenze of
becoming the 2015 AL Queen.
All the Alabama “has been’s” with the 2014 Queen, Montana
and 2015 Queen, Lenze.
Queen Montana and Mr. Myron Harrison enjoy a beautiful
view at the top of the mountain in Palm Springs.
Congratulations to all the 2014 Watermelon Queens, you all
have done an amazing job representing the industry this year!
Congratulations 2015 AL Queen Lenze Morris and 1st runner
up Paige Severino.
Mr. Richard with Nunhems teaching Montana a few last
minute tips at Nationals.
The ladies welcoming the 2015 MarDel Watermelon Queen.
Congratulations 1st runner up, North Carolina Queen Breanna
Williams, 2015 National Queen Emily, and 2nd runner up AL
Queen Montana.
Congratulations Carla
Penny on becoming the
2015 Georgia
Watermelon Queen.
2015 AWA President Mr. Jeff Garrett and his wife Bobbie Jo
with the newly crowned Alabama Queen, Lenze.
