Photo by 500 Festival
The announcement was made during the 500 Festival Breakfast at the Brickyard at the Indianapolis Motor Speedway.
A Greenwood native, Ready is pursuing degrees in biology and English at Marian University. Her selection places her among an accomplished group of student leaders from across the state and elevates her role as an ambassador for Indiana and the Indianapolis 500.
Ready was among 33 women selected for the 2026 500 Festival Princess Program, representing colleges and universities across Indiana. Princesses serve as ambassadors for the 500 Festival, the Indianapolis Motor Speedway, their communities, and their institutions while engaging in outreach efforts statewide.
At Marian, Ready has built a resume rooted in leadership, creativity, and service. She is active in the Marian Knight Drama Club, has held several leadership roles with The Fioretti, Marian’s literary journal, and volunteers with the Indianapolis Motor Speedway Museum and the Indianapolis Zoo.
The Queen Scholar distinction includes an additional $1,500 educational scholarship from McDonald’s and recognizes leadership, academic excellence, community involvement, and the embodiment of the Hoosier spirit.
Reflecting on her time as a Princess, Ready shared a moment that shaped her understanding of leadership and connection.
“At my first outreach, a girl said, ‘I thought there was nothing special about Indiana, but now I know about the Indianapolis 500!’ The sentence sounded so familiar,” Ready said. “There are lots of cool things in Indiana. We talked about the race, the festival, the Children’s Museum, and the zoo.”
She said the interaction reinforced her desire to help others find community and connection through storytelling and service.
“Moving forward as a princess, I imagine myself continuing to lead through making these connections I love,” Ready said. “I want more people to feel like I did at six: comfortable stepping out of their shell, sharing in connection and community, and recognizing that being in Indiana, especially during the 500, is something uniquely special.”
As Queen Scholar, Ready will wear the official crown at 500 Festival events and at Indianapolis 500 activities, including pre-race celebrations and Victory Circle festivities. She will continue to represent the organization throughout the coming year.
The 2026 Princess class includes students from 19 Indiana colleges and universities and 21 communities statewide. Collectively, the class has a cumulative GPA of 3.75 and was selected from hundreds of applicants.
For Marian University, Ready’s recognition reflects a commitment to leadership and service that extends beyond campus and into communities across Indiana.