Red Bay royalty: Red Bay crowns Emma Russell Founders Fest queen
“I was thinking, did they really call my name?” she said.
Russell said she has participated in pageants before but not since she was in the third grade.
During her time at RBHS, Russell has been a member of the varsity cheerleading squad, Leo Club, National Beta Club, Franklin County Leadership Program, Big Brother Big Sister, FBLA, National Honor Society for High School Scholars and Annual Staff. She has also been a Diamond Girl as well as a Tiger Teller for the Community Spirit Bank Red Bay School Branch.
Russell said she plans to attend Northwest-Shoals Community College to get her basics before transferring to Auburn University to pursue a degree in chemical engineering.
“It is such an honor to be representing my hometown. Red Bay is such a wonderful place to live and has so many good people that live here,” she said. “I am humbled at the opportunity I’ve been given. I hope to represent Red Bay well.”
Also in the 16-19 age group, Madison Wicker was named first alternate, and Destiny Deaton was named second alternate.
Russell, along with other pageant winners, will help kick off the festival Saturday with the Queen’s Train Ride at 8:30 a.m.