by
500 Festival News Release & Glendal Jones | Apr 15, 2024
Princesses will engage and serve in their surrounding communities, celebrating the spirit of the 500 Festival
It is almost race time for the Indianapolis 500 and three Marian University students are part of the next generation of leaders who are 500 ambassadors and advocates for the 500 Festival Organization.
The 2024 500 Festival Princesses include:
Cassie Mitchell '26 Indianapolis, a graduate of Providence Cristo Rey High School, and a sophomore at Marian University majoring in graphic design and communication.
Libbie Waterman '25 Indianapolis, a graduate of North Central High School, and a junior at Marian University majoring in social work.
Luci Woodrum '25 Morgantown, a graduate of Indian Creek High School, and a junior at Marian University majoring in nutrition, fitness, and wellness.
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 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.
"Being named a 500 Festival Princess is a dream come true, explained Woodrum. "Representing Marian University, alongside incredible peers from across Indiana, is an honor I will cherish forever." Waterman agreed. "This experience exemplifies the power of leadership and academic excellence, and I am grateful for the opportunity to inspire others to pursue their dreams."
Mitchell, Waterman and Woodrum 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.
"Being selected as a 500 Festival Princess is a testament to the values of excellence and leadership fostered at Marian University," said Mitchell. "I am honored to stand among peers from diverse backgrounds and communities across Indiana, united by our commitment to academic achievement and community service."
The 2024 500 Festival Princesses represent 18 Indiana colleges and universities and 23 cities and towns across the state. With a cumulative GPA of 3.74, this year’s 500 Festival Princesses were selected from hundreds of applicants based on leadership and academic performance.
Each 500 Festival 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. Khamis Fine Jewelers, the official and exclusive jeweler of the 500 Festival Princess Program, will gift each Princess a custom pendant that includes a heart, which symbolizes 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.
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.
“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.”
Each year, the Princesses deliver over 1,500 hours of community outreach, impacting over 50,000 people and sparking the excitement of the Indianapolis 500 in a significant way. This outreach assists the excitement of the Indianapolis 500 in a significant way. 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.
As these young women represent the 500 Festival, they play a vital role in fulfilling the 500 Festival’s mission to create a positive impact on Indianapolis and the state of Indiana, as well as celebrating the spirit of the Indianapolis 500.
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. Individual and group photos can be downloaded HERE.
