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500 Festival Selects 33 Young Women to Serve as 2010 500 Festival Princesses
Ambassadors will represent 500 Festival and the 2010 Indianapolis 500®
INDIANAPOLIS (February 23, 2010) – Thirty-three young women from across Indiana have been selected to serve in the 2010 500 Festival Princess Program. Becoming a 500 Festival Princess is an experience of a lifetime. As ambassadors of the 500 Festival, the 2010 Indianapolis 500® and their hometowns, the princesses will attend and volunteer at 500 Festival events and programs throughout the month of May. In addition, the 33 princesses will be involved with statewide outreach programs of their choosing. Princesses are also present at various Indianapolis Motor Speedway® functions and participate in the Indianapolis 500® Victory Circle celebration.
This year’s 500 Festival princesses represent 13 Indiana colleges and universities and 24 cities and towns across the state. The young women were selected from 243 applicants based on communication skills, poise, academic performance and community and volunteer involvement.
To be eligible for the 500 Festival Princess Program, applicants must be between the ages of 19 and 23, single and legal residents of Indiana. Candidates must also be full-time undergraduate students in a fully-accredited Indiana college or university and maintain a cumulative grade point average of at least 2.8 on a 4.0 scale. This year’s princesses have a cumulative grade point average of 3.43.
Sponsors for the 500 Festival Princess Program include WTHR-TV 13, G.Thrapp Jewelers, Contemporary Dental Concepts and Indiana Blood Center. Apparel and accessory providers include The Secret Ingredient, Indianapolis Motor Speedway® and Vera Bradley.
The 2010 500 Festival Princesses, Indiana hometown, college or university and area of study are as follows (in alphabetical order):
Caroline Arness,
Sophia Baldwin,
Megan Bartholomew, Greenwood, Indiana University (Class of 2010), majoring in Biochemistry, Mathematics and Biology
Andranise Baxter,
Paige Brandt,
Madison Briscoe, Kokomo, Purdue University (Class of 2011), majoring in Elementary Education
Sara Cardwell, Indianapolis, Purdue University (Class of 2011), majoring in Nutrition Science and Political Science
Ashley Casterline, Fishers,
Brooke Compton,
Kristen Conner,
Rachel Demaree, Atlanta, Purdue University (Class of 2012), majoring in Youth Development and Agricultural Education
Courtney Demeter,
Brittany Dorsett,
Brooke Dorsett, Bedford, IU School of Dentistry (Class of 2010), majoring in Dental Hygiene and Public Health
Katie Fox,
Angie Frizzell, Avon, Purdue University (Class of 2011), majoring in Fashion Design, Accounting and Business Management
Kirsten Hall, Browsburg, Purdue University (Class of 2012), majoring in Chemistry
Carolyne Holcomb, Terre Haute, Indiana State University (Class of 2010), majoring in Public Relations and Communication
Emily Kirkpatrick, Indianapolis, IUPUI (Class of 2011), majoring in Communications
Emilee Kottkamp, Clayton,
Sajel Kumar,
Samantha Madden, Brownsburg, Indiana University School of Nursing (Class of 2011), majoring in Nursing
Alexandra Maxwell, Kendallville, IPFW (Class of 2010), majoring in Communications
Anita Megha, New Castle, Indiana University (Class of 2010), majoring in Chemistry and Pre-optometry
Katherine Minton, Carmel, Indiana University (Class of 2010), majoring in Finance and Accounting
Lindsey Moistner, Dublin, Ball State University (Class of 2011), majoring in Meteorology and Climatology,
Lauren Mummert, Crawfordsville, Graduate of University of Notre Dame, currently attending the IU School of Dentistry (Class of 2013), earning a Doctorate of Dental Surgery
Rebecca Ozols, Columbus,
Rebecca Pankop, Albion, Purdue University (Class of 2010), majoring in Nursing and Pre-medicine
Lauren Petersen, Bluffton,
Kelsie Scaringe, Indianapolis, Marian University of Indianapolis (Class of 2011), majoring in Nursing
Ericka Schroer, Seymour, Indiana University (Class of 2010), majoring in Business and Apparel Merchandising, Minoring in Communication & Culture, and is in the Fashion Design Graduate Program
Tara Thornburg, Russellville, Indiana University (Class of 2010), majoring in Biology and Pre-medicine
One of these young women will be selected as the 2010 500 Festival Queen and receive a $2,500 scholarship. The queen will be crowned May 22 during the 500 Festival Breakfast at the Brickyard, presented by ProLiance Energy at the Indianapolis Motor Speedway®.
To learn more about 500 Festival events and volunteer opportunities, please visit www.500festival.com, or contact the 500 Festival at (317) 927-3378.
EDITOR’S NOTE: To view a group photo click here. Individual photos can be viewed online at: http://www.500festival.com/events/PrincessRoster.asp
The mission of the 500 Festival is to advocate and celebrate the spirit, heritage and legacy of the Indianapolis 500®. Through social, cultural and educational events and programs, the 500 Festival enhances the quality of life for all citizens of our communities.
The 500 Festival, a not-for-profit volunteer organization, was created in 1957 to organize civic events celebrating the greatest race in the world. Over the past 53 years, the 500 Festival has grown to become one of the largest festivals in the nation.
Last year, over 500,000 Hoosiers and visitors participated in nearly 50 events and programs throughout the month of May. Whether they were athletes running the Mini, fourth grade students participating in the Education Program, families enjoying the state’s largest festival for kids or spectators being dazzled by one of the nation’s premier parades, they were there, celebrating the legacy.
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© 2008 500 Festival