Marshall crowned Watermelon Festival Queen
RUSSELLVILLE – Aidyn Kate Marshall was crowned the 2026 Franklin County Watermelon Festival Queen during the pageant held Saturday.
The pageant featured 96 contestants competing in 12 age divisions.
Marshall also received the 18-to-21 Dvision’s Photogenic and Best Dress awards.
Leah Joy Copeland, a Phil Campbell High School senior, was named first alternate. She received the Best Hair and Best Smile awards.
Addison Nicole Bryant, a Troy University junior from Belgreen, was second alternate.
Marshall said hearing her name announced was a moment she’ll never forget.
“I was just really thrilled to hear my name be called,” she said. “It’s really exhilarating.”
Marshall, 18, of Russellville, first competed in the Watermelon Festival pageant as a child. She said she returned to pageants about two or three years ago after being diagnosed with a severe panic disorder, which led to her suffering panic attacks that seemed to come out of nowhere.
“Things like this were very out of my comfort zone,” Marshall said of beauty pageants.
She said she considered stepping away from pageants because she didn’t want to put herself in a situation where a panic attack might happen, even though she loved competing.
“But I realized that if it’s going to happen, it’s going to happen. If it’s not, it’s not,” Marshall said. “I might as well do something that I love.”
Repeated competition, she said, has helped her become more comfortable under pressure.
“That has happened less and less to the point where it’s so few and far between now that I can’t even remember the last time that I experienced a panic attack,” she said.
Marshall said competing has made her more comfortable and confident in her abilities, even when she’s unsure.
An incoming freshman at the University of North Alabama, she plans to study nursing before pursuing a career as a psychiatric mental health nurse practitioner. She eventually hopes to earn a Doctor of Nursing Practice degree.
From left: first alternate, Phil Campbell High School senior, Leah Copeland; center, Watermelon Queen Aidyn Kate Marshall, RHS graduated and incoming freshman at the University of North Alabama; and, right: second alternate Addison Bryant, Belgreen native who is a junior at Troy University.
Marshall works as a clinical assistant in the emergency department at North Alabama Medical Center. She graduated from Russellville High School with honors in 2026.
Marshall serves as the Distinguished Young Woman of Franklin County.
She participated in Miss Russellville High School pageant all four years. Marshall spent four years on the Tigerettes dance line, serving as captain for three years.
She recently earned a spot on the University of North Alabama Lionettes dance team. Marshall also was a member of the homecoming court and the ACT 30 Plus Club.
She enjoys performing pointe ballet and solving Sudoku puzzles. Marshall’s favorite movie is “Singing in the Rain.” Her favorite TV show is “Sweet Magnolias.”
Marhsall is the oldest of five children and has four younger brothers.
Franklin County Chamber of Commerce Executive Director Cassie Medley said participating in the pageant takes courage.
“It takes an awful lot to get on stage,” she said.
As Watermelon Queen, Marshall will represent the festival throughout the coming year. Her duties include cutting the ceremonial first watermelon during the Franklin County Watermelon Festival, presenting prize money during festival contests, and participating in community events, including Christmas parades.
After completing her year of service and crowning her successor, Marshall will receive a $500 cash award.
Marshall said she hopes to use her reign to encourage younger girls.
“I can do hard things, and I can do things that are out of my comfort zone,” she said. “I hope that I can encourage younger girls to also step out of their comfort zone.”
