Two women from Morgan County selected as 500 Festival Princesses
The 500 Festival announced two college-aged women from Morgan County have been selected as 500 Festival Princesses, according to a press release.
Elaina Connell, Martinsville, a graduate of Indian Creek Senior High School, and a sophomore at Franklin College majoring in biomedical sciences on a pre-veterinary track
Kyla Smith, Mooresville, a graduate of Plainfield High School, and a junior at Purdue University majoring in agronomy
The 500 Festival Princess Program, presented by The National Bank of Indianapolis, has a long history of celebrating Indiana’s most civic-minded, academically driven young women. While serving as a 500 Festival Princess, these women will be given many opportunities to grow professionally, gain mentorship, and leadership from the 500 Festival Board of Directors, and develop leadership skills within their communities.
The Princesses represent 19 Indiana colleges and universities and 21 cities and towns across the state. With a cumulative GPA of 3.71, this year’s 500 Festival Princesses were selected from hundreds of applicants based on leadership, academic stewardship, community involvement, and their embodiment of the Hoosier spirit. This year’s class represents a diverse group of women with a range of areas of study that include nursing, elementary education, business, engineering, sports media, and pre-med.
As representatives of the 500 Festival, the Princesses play a crucial role in the execution of the 500 Festival’s mission of enriching lives, while celebrating the spirit and legacy of the Indianapolis 500 and fostering a positive impact on the city of Indianapolis and state of Indiana. The Princesses will experience the Month of May in a unique way, serving their communities, including the 500 Festival’s statewide outreach program, which educates Hoosiers about the history of the 500 Festival and legacy of the Indianapolis 500.
Each year, the Princesses conduct more than 1,500 hours of community outreach impacting more than 50,000 people, expanding the celebration and impact of the Indianapolis 500 in a meaningful way.
The 500 Festival Princesses also participate in the 500 Festival Leadership Development Program, presented by FORVIS, which empowers participants to make a profound impact within their community and the state of Indiana. In addition, each Princess will receive a $1,000 scholarship, made possible by Marlyne Sexton, an Indianapolis philanthropist and president of The Sexton Companies, and the 500 Festival Foundation.
As the official and exclusive jeweler of the 500 Festival Princess Program, Khamis Fine Jewelers will gift each 500 Festival Princess a custom pendant that incorporates a heart to symbolize the heart of a princess, an emerald to represent May’s birthstone, and a checkered flag to recognize the Indianapolis 500.
“We are excited and eager to see the 2023 class of the Princess Program excel in community service and leadership opportunities throughout their hometowns and 500 Festival events,” said Bob Bryant, 500 Festival president and CEO. “These 33 young women will have an unforgettable experience, foster life-long friendships, and make meaningful connections throughout their communities and the state of Indiana.
The 2023 500 Festival Queen Scholar will be announced on Saturday, May 20, during the 500 Festival Breakfast at the Brickyard, presented by Midwestern Engineers, Inc. The 500 Festival Queen Scholar will receive an additional $1,500 scholarship.
To learn more about the 500 Festival Princess Program, visit 500Festival.com/Princess or search #PrincessProgram on social media.
This article originally appeared on The Reporter Times: Two women from Morgan County selected as 500 Festival Princesses
