The 105th running of the Indianapolis 500 may be more than a month away, but the work of the 500 Festival Princess ambassadors is well underway, including several who are students at IU. Just what does a 500 Festival Princess do? The 500 Festival Princess Program is a group of collegiate women ambassadors for the 500 Festival who work on community engagement and service.
Elizabeth Score, one of this year’s 33 princesses, says it is no monarchy.”Really the definition of a princess or prince or whatever royalty means is really just how well you serve your community.”
Women who were raised in Indiana and currently attend a college or university in the state may apply to the program. Out of hundreds of applicants, only 33 women are chosen, and this year, 6 of the 33 are Indiana University students.
The program chooses women who are civic-minded and academically driven. This year, the ambassadors’ cumulative G.P.A is a 3.74. The princesses are studying a broad range of majors and some are in graduate school. The program also enrolls them in a leadership development program provided by BKD.
Due to the pandemic, several events are virtual this year, but princesses will still attend community outreach events with schools, hospitals, non-profits and other organizations.
As the women volunteer in their community, they are redefining what it means to be a Hoosier.
Elizabeth Score defines what being a Hoosier means to her, and why she loves the state of Indiana so deeply.
Elizabeth Martine said she’s always dreamt of serving as a 500 Festival Princess, and this year her dream came true. Martine has attended the Festival and Indy 500 since she was a youngster. A few decades ago, her father served as an official 500 Festival escort for a princess in the program.
Martine said she remembers her dad’s reaction finding out that she was accepted into the program. “He picked me up and gave me a big old hug, and he was just so happy that I will be able to participate in something that he got to participate in 30 years ago.”
She said she enjoys sharing this special connection with her father.
Prior to the race, women spend time volunteering in their local community. On Zoom, Princess Andrea Peterson read to the elementary school she attended in Kokomo. Peterson said she looks forward to in-person community events as well.
In March, Score planned a fundraiser with the Coburn Place Safe Haven in Indianapolis. The Coburn Place is home to people recovering from domestic abuse. For weeks, Score set up a table on campus at Indiana University Bloomington and took donations for spring break bags to give to the children living at the Coburn Place. The bags included snacks, drinks, anti-bacterial wipes and sanitizer. Score plans to do more service events before the 500 Festival begins, including running in a 5k.
Peterson explain why giving back to her community is so important to her. After she graduates from IU, Peterson hopes to be a philanthropic member of her community.
More than 2,000 Indiana women have served as princesses in the program. The program started in 1959. The princesses are also partnered with a mentor on the 500 Festival Board. The princess and her mentor are paired depending on their major, interests and hometown. Each women receives a $1,000 scholarship for participating the program.
The program is sponsored by The National Bank of Indianapolis, BKD, the Vera Bradley company and other Indiana organizations.
The 500 Festival is still deciding which events will be in-person and what will be virtual. Visit their website to purchase tickets and receive the latest updates for upcoming 500 Festival events.
