This spring, 33 young ladies were chosen as ambassadors for the Indianapolis 500 Festival. They represented 13 Indiana colleges and universities and 24 cities and towns based on their community and volunteer involvement, poise, academic performance and communication skills. Three such young women were Ball State students.
"By participating in the 2010 500 Festival Program, my personal passion of becoming an advocate for my community has been bolstered," junior urban planning major Lauren Petersen said.
Her experience as a princess has given her a better understanding of ‘Hoosier Pride' as she participates in outreach programs in communities around the state.
She said one of her most treasured experiences was at an event at the Hutson School in Indianapolis, where she met her most recent Make-A-Wish kid, DJ. She was able to talk to him about his interest in the Indy 500. She also organized a mock baseball and trivia game about the 500 Festival and race, passed out candy, and answered questions.
"It was so fulfilling to see how excited and happy DJ was that I was able to visit his school for the day," she said.
Petersen hopes to use her experience as a 500 Princess to show past, present and future Princesses that they do not need a title to touch those in their communities.
"Ultimately, I have found inspiration from my fellow 500 Festival Princesses and all those with which I have shared quality moments throughout my experience as a 500 Festival Princess," she said.
Another Festival Princess, junior meteorology and climate major Lindsey Moistner, also looks back on the experience with smiles.
"I have never done anything like this before," she said. "500 Festival Princesses has allowed me opportunities that I would have never had without being a princess."
Some of those experiences included working with Habitat for Humanity of Indianapolis. During the second week of May, the Fuller Center of Indianapolis renovated a home with help from the 500 Festival Princesses, who cleaned up the neighborhood by picking up trash, planting flowers, pulling weeds and painting, among other activities.
The princesses were involved in the Susan G. Komen Race for the Cure, a worldwide charity event focused on bringing awareness of breast cancer and the need for a cure. They also worked with the Ford Motor Company to pass out free goody bags to the thousands of other participants in the race.
"It was such a great opportunity to meet the cancer survivors and know you are helping make a difference in their lives," Moistner said.
Moistner was able to visit Riley Children's Hospital, Methodist Hospital and four elementary schools, including her own Western Wayne Elementary in Cambridge City, Ind. She helped at the High School Nationals Drag Race at the Muncie Dragway, where $23,000 in scholarships were given. She was also able to attend charity events for the Lupus Foundation of America; she is a survivor of the disease and member of the foundation.
"Overall, the princess program has a lauded me the opportunity to reach out to communities all across the state of Indiana and spread the word of the 500 Festival, the Indianapolis 500 and our heritage of Hoosiers," she said. "It is a once-in-a-lifetime experience."
Read More
Three Air Jam teams take home the win
October 12, 2012Nineteen teams shimmied, shook and flipped for a sold out John R. Emens Auditorium on Thursday night during the 25th annual Air Jam.
Bill Clinton Speaks at North Central High School
October 12, 2012Former President's Speech Could Have Effect on State Senate Race
