Last Updated on February 24, 2024 by 500 Festival
The 500 Festival proudly unveils the 33 prestigious Indiana women selected to lead as 2024 500 Festival Princesses, hailing from 18 Indiana colleges and universities and 23 cities across the state. With a cumulative GPA of 3.74, this year’s 500 Festival Princesses were chosen from hundreds of applicants for their outstanding leadership, academic stewardship, community involvement, and embodiment of the Hoosier spirit. This year’s class represents a diverse group of women with various areas of study that include cybersecurity and global policy, graphic design, music therapy, public health, and neuroscience.
The 500 Festival Princess Program, presented by The National Bank of Indianapolis, has a history of honoring Indiana’s most civic-minded, academically driven young women. While holding the title of a 500 Festival Princess, these 33 women will have the opportunity to create meaningful connections across the state, gain mentorship and leadership from the 500 Festival Board of Directors, and develop professional skills.
These young women play a vital role in fulfilling the 500 Festival’s mission to create a positive impact on Indianapolis and the state of Indiana. These Princesses will have the chance to experience the Month of May in a special way, by educating Hoosiers about the iconic history of the 500 Festival through the statewide outreach program, celebrating the spirit of the Indianapolis 500, and serving their communities.
Throughout the month of May, the Princesses will contribute over 1,500 hours of community service, impacting over 50,000 people. Some of the community outreach efforts the princesses will conduct include teaching students about the 500 Festival at Indiana elementary schools, Girl Scouts organizations, the Indianapolis Children’s Museum, and attending fundraiser events like trivia nights.
Each Princess will receive a $1,000 scholarship, made possible by Marlyne Sexton, a philanthropist and president of The Sexton Companies in the Indianapolis area, and the 500 Festival Foundation. Khamis Fine Jewelers, the official and exclusive jeweler of the program, will gift a custom pendant to each Princess, symbolizing the heart of a princess, an emerald that represents May’s birthstone, and the iconic Yard of Bricks to represent Indianapolis Motor Speedway and the Indianapolis 500.
“We are thrilled to observe all the ways that this year’s class of 500 Festival Princesses will impact the communities in Indiana and enable them to showcase their leadership and academic skills,” said Bob Bryant, 500 Festival president and CEO. “The 500 Festival is proud to see these 33 young women take this opportunity to create lasting memories, outstanding networking experiences, and meaningful friendships for years to come.”
The 2024 500 Festival Princesses, hometown, high school, college or university, and area of study are as follows (in alphabetical order):
Lauren Bailey, Carmel, a graduate of Carmel High School, and a sophomore at Purdue University majoring in business analytics and information management.
Elizabeth Baker, Noblesville, a graduate of Noblesville High School and a graduate student at Indiana University School of Medicine with an undergraduate degree in Spanish and human biology.
Bridget Bane, Churubusco, a graduate of Carroll High School, and a senior at Purdue University Fort Wayne majoring in education studies.
Briana Begeman, Bloomington, a graduate of Avon High School, and a sophomore at Indiana University majoring in law and public policy.
Josephine Cialkowski, Pittsboro, a graduate of Tri-West Hendricks High School, and a senior at Ball State University majoring in pre-medical preparation and biology.
Caitlyn Cook, Martinsville, a graduate of Martinsville High School, and a senior at the University of Indianapolis majoring in public health education and promotion.
Marin Davis, Zionsville, a graduate of Zionsville Community High School, and a sophomore at Purdue University majoring in political science.
Avery Dawson, Brookston, a graduate of Tri-County High School, and a junior at Indiana University-Purdue University Indianapolis majoring in policy studies.
Michaela Di Palmo, Avon, a graduate of Avon High School, and a senior at Indiana University-Purdue University Indianapolis majoring in music therapy and psychology.
Lissania Perez Diaz, Indianapolis, a graduate of Riverside High School, and a junior at Indiana University-Purdue University Indianapolis majoring in chemistry and law.
Elaine Dorsey, Indianapolis, a graduate of Cathedral High School, and a senior at Indiana University majoring in informatics.
Amanda Fulcher, Clayton, a graduate of Indiana Connections Academy, and a sophomore at Ivy Tech Community College Indianapolis majoring in medical assisting.
Lindsey Herrera, Winchester, a graduate of Winchester Community High School, and a senior at Ball State University majoring in physics and Anderson University majoring in mechanical engineering.
Alana Jardenil, Valparaiso, a graduate of Chesterton High School, and a sophomore at the University of Notre Dame majoring in neuroscience and behavior.
Mary Jones, Monroe, a graduate of Adams Central High School, and a freshman at the University of Saint Francis majoring in communications and marketing.
Gracie Madison, Montgomery, a graduate of Barr-Reeve Jr./Sr. High School, and a junior at the University of Southern Indiana majoring in marketing, and public relations and advertising.
Jaslin Martinez, Noblesville, a graduate of Fishers High School, and a senior at Purdue University majoring in public health, pre-physician’s assistant.
Alyssa McKillip, Wabash, a graduate of Northfield Jr./Sr. High School, and a senior at Butler University majoring in psychology with a concentration in pre-medicine.
Kendrick Mernitz, Carmel, a graduate of Cathedral High School, and a senior at Indiana University majoring in cybersecurity and global policy, and middle eastern languages and cultures.
Shaina Miller, Evansville, a graduate of Signature School, and a sophomore at Ball State University majoring in political science.
Cassie Mitchell, Indianapolis, a graduate of Providence Cristo Rey High School, and a sophomore at Marian University majoring in graphic design and communication.
Hannah Mullen, Fishers, a graduate of Hamilton Southeastern High School, and a junior at Ball State University majoring in graphic design.
Parmida Nazarloo, Fishers, a graduate of Hamilton Southeastern High School, and a junior at Indiana University majoring in human biology.
Mazvita Ndhlovu, Indianapolis, a graduate of Brebeuf Jesuit Preparatory School, and a junior at Indiana University majoring in public health.
Morgan Nelson, Marion, a graduate of Oak Hill High School, and a senior at Franklin College majoring in biomedical sciences.
Sarah Papabathini, Indianapolis, a graduate of Eastern High School, and a junior at Indiana University-Purdue University Indianapolis majoring in artificial intelligence.
Julia Prickett, Shelbyville, a graduate of Shelbyville High School, and a senior at Purdue University majoring in mass/media communications and meteorology.
Sarah Ripperger, Metamora, a graduate of Batesville High School, and a junior at Butler University majoring in speech, language, and hearing sciences.
Kaitlyn Ross, Fishers, a graduate of Hamilton Southeastern High School, and a first-year law student at Indiana University Maurer School of Law with an undergraduate degree in biology.
Jillian Turner, Terre Haute, a graduate of Terre Haute South Vigo High School, and a junior at Indiana State University majoring in insurance and risk management.
Libbie Waterman, Indianapolis, a graduate of North Central High School, and a junior at Marian University majoring in social work.
Luci Woodrum, Morgantown, a graduate of Indian Creek High School, and a junior at Marian University majoring in nutrition, fitness, and wellness and finance.
Delaney Zeck, Galveston, a graduate of Lewis Cass High School, and a junior at Indiana University Kokomo majoring in nursing.
The 2024 500 Festival Queen Scholar will be announced on Saturday, May 18, during the 500 Festival Breakfast at the Brickyard, presented by Midwestern Engineers, Inc. The 500 Festival Queen Scholar will be gifted an additional $1,500 scholarship.
To request a visit from a 500 Festival Princess, click HERE.
The 500 Festival Princess Program is supported by: The National Bank of Indianapolis, Marlyne Sexton, Khamis Fine Jewelers, the Indianapolis Motor Speedway, and the 500 Festival Foundation.
To learn more about the 500 Festival Princess Program, please visit 500Festival.com/Princess or search #PrincessProgram on social media.
SOURCE: News release from 500 Festival