For Laura Alemán, Chelsea Clifton, Emily Nickels and Corey Windler the journey started back in January when they applied for the 500 Festival Princess Program.
All of the applicants received an interview, but afterward, only 66 girls remained. The remaining girls received a second interview after which half the girls were cut. Then 33 Indy 500 Princesses were announced.
These 33 women represent the cars in the Indianapolis 500.
According to the 500 Festival website, the princesses who are chosen must possess multiple characteristics: a desire to serve, maturity and a sense of humor are just a few expectations.
“A good princess is someone who gets involved in every opportunity she can and strives to inspire others,” said Windler, a business administration major marketing minor.
The 2013 queen was one of Ball State’s Allison Jacob, a public relations major.
“My attitude was I was just happy to be a princess,” Jacob said. “I was never in it to be queen. When they called my name I was completely shocked. I didn’t expect it at all. It was a life-changing experience.”
The queen is awarded a $2,500 scholarship and a very heavy crown.
The 500 Festival Princesses representing Ball State had different reasons for applying. Emily Nickels, a junior public relations major, applied with the encouragement of her internship supervisor.
“My friend raved about how great the experience was,” said Alemán, a senior pre-audiology major. “She thought I’d be a great fit for the program,”
For the 500 Festival Princesses, the application process was just the beginning. Their schedules are now filled with volunteering and other individual outreaches.
These will lead up to the Indianapolis 500 race.
The outreaches are designed to promote the nonprofit 500 Festival. They are usually held at schools, nursing homes and Riley Hospital.
“It’s a ton of giving back to the community,” Nickels said
Each 500 Festival princess is paired with a program connection, which could lead to opportunities such as an internship.
Along with Indiana mayors, the 500 Festival princesses are invited to attend the Snakepit Ball.
According to the festival’s website, the Snakepit Ball has become a race-eve tradition. The black-tie event includes red carpet arrivals by celebrities in town for race weekend and special VIP guests.
Though it is hard work, the girls are more than enthusiastic for the experiences in store.
“More connections, a friendship with the other girls, and to grow within myself – the program makes me think I’m doing something worthwhile,” said Clifton, a social work major.
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