I. 500 Festival Princess Eligibility Requirements  

Candidates for the 2012 500 Festival Princess Program must meet the following qualifications:

• Candidates must be a resident of Indiana and presently be enrolled as a full-time student through spring semester at a fully accredited college or university located in the state of Indiana; taking a minimum of 12 academic hours for undergraduate studies and a minimum of nine (9) academic hours for graduate studies; in good standing and not on scholastic probation. 
• Candidates must have maintained a cumulative college GPA of 2.8 on a 4.0 scale.  If a candidate’s most recent semester’s GPA is above a 2.8, yet her cumulative GPA remains below a 2.8, the candidate will NOT be eligible for the 2012 500 Festival Princess Program.
• Candidates must include three (3) character references (i.e. professor, advisor, coach, church leader, etc.) which are not family members.  Please include contact information as well. No letters please!
• Candidates must be female.
• Candidates must be involved in at least one worthwhile extra-curricular college or community service activity.
• Candidates must reach the age of 18 by January 1, 2012, but be no older than 23 years of age by May 31, 2012.
• Candidates must be single with no children, and have never married and agree not to marry before May 31, 2012.
• Candidates must claim legal residence in the state of Indiana and be able to demonstrate proof of residency via a valid Indiana State driver’s license.
• Candidates who have at least one immediate family member either currently employed by the 500 Festival, currently serving on the 500 Festival Board of Directors, an employee of the Indianapolis Motor Speedway or the IZOD IndyCar® Series are not eligible to apply.
• Candidates must be able to attend the 500 Festival Princess Orientation in February.
• Candidates must be able to attend and willing to make a 2-3 minute speech about herself at the 500 Festival Princess Reception in April  as part of the Public Speaking Competition for the selection of the 2012 500 Festival Queen.
• Candidates must be available for all 500 Festival events during the month of May (unless participating in graduation ceremonies).
• Candidates must provide her own transportation for all 500 Festival events and activities.
• All Princesses are eligible to be selected 500 Festival Queen. When a Princesses is selected as the 2012 500 Festival Queen, she must furnish evidence of her intent to continue her formal education in order to take advantage of the 2012 500 Festival Queen’s scholarship. The 500 Festival Queen will be the ONLY recipient of a scholarship. No scholarships will be awarded to the remaining 32 Princesses.

  II. Rules

• Each candidate must first submit an official application, complete with a copy of her valid Indiana driver’s license, college transcript, three (3) character references' names and phone numbers, and photograph on Friday, January 6, 2012.
• Failure to attend the selection interview will result in disqualification and applicant will not be allowed to make up interview.
• Selection as a 2012 500 Festival Princess prohibits eligibility in any future 500 Festival Princess Selections.
• Participants may not endorse products or appear in advertisements as a representative of the 500 Festival or Indianapolis Motor Speedway without written consent of the President/CEO of the 500 Festival and an approved representative of the Indianapolis Motor Speedway.
• 500 Festival Princesses may take part in any other type of pageant or contest throughout their reign.  However, if another pageant title is held and a scheduling conflict should arise, the Princess agrees to make the 500 Festival events and activities her top priority throughout the Month of May.
• The decision of independent panel of judges for the 2012 500 Festival Princesses and the selection of the 500 Festival Queen will be final. In the event the 500 Festival Queen marries (prior to May 31, 2013), is disqualified, or is prevented from fulfilling her designated obligations, the first runner-up will serve as the 2012 500 Festival Queen.
• 500 Festival Princesses will conduct themselves at all times in such a manner as is consistent with the highest moral and ethical standards.  This includes, but is not limited to, avoidance of all of the following: a conviction of felony or misdemeanor; alcohol or other drug abuse/solicitation; nudity, full or partial; public nuisance; and/or inappropriate behavior deemed by the 500 Festival as detrimental to and in depreciation of the interests of the 500 Festival, its representatives, sponsors or licensees.  The Princesses will forfeit all rights, title, or claim to any title designations, prizes, or awards, conferred upon her immediately as a result of any conduct which, in the sole discretion of the 500 Festival and the Indianapolis Motor Speedway, is deemed to be adverse to the interests of the 500 Festival and Indianapolis Motor Speedway, their representatives, sponsors or licensees.  In addition, an alternate Princess with the 34^th highest Princess Selection score will be selected to replace the dismissed Princess in all of her duties, activities, and prizes.
• The Princesses acknowledge that it is in the interest and benefit of the 500 Festival and the Indianapolis Motor Speedway to make personal appearances on behalf of the 500 Festival and the Indianapolis Motor Speedway, including, but not limited to, appearances and performances on radio, television, or any other broadcast media and charitable service, endorsement, or advertising appearances, without compensation. The Princesses will comply faithfully with such reasonable requests for personal appearances. Absence or habitual tardiness will constitute the relinquishment of the 2012 500 Festival Princess title and gifts.

III. How are the 33 Princesses selected?

     Selection is based on personal projection, motivation and commitment. The 33 women chosen

     to represent the 500 Festival should possess the following characteristics: