The 500 Festival, a nonprofit organization committed to enriching the quality of life for Indiana residents and visitors, recently announced that Indiana Wesleyan University senior community development major, Tenaya Shull, has been selected as one of 33 college-aged women to be named 2019 500 Festival Princesses.
“Being a Hoosier, it is a great honor to be named an Indianapolis 500 Festival Princess,” said Shull, a native of Mentone, Indiana. “Not only do I get to represent the state of Indiana, but also my hometown and the IWU community. This experience is one I am sharing with 32 other exceptional young women who have visions of making this world a better place.”
The 500 Festival Princess Program has a long history of celebrating Indiana’s most civic-minded, academically driven college-aged women. Serving as a 500 Festival Princess provides young women with countless opportunities for leadership, networking and professional development. The 500 Festival Princesses will participate in the program’s personal and professional development initiative, which empowers participants to make a profound impact within their community and Indiana.
2019 marks the 60th anniversary of the 500 Festival Princess Program. Since the program’s launch, nearly 2,000 Indiana women have experienced the honor of serving as a 500 Festival Princess.
Each 500 Festival Princess will receive a $1,000 scholarship, made possible in part by the 500 Festival Foundation. Princesses are also provided with once-in-a-life-time experiences, including involvement in various Indianapolis Motor Speedway functions, such as the pre-race ceremonies and Victory Circle celebration for the 103rd running of the Indianapolis 500.
“The 500 Festival Princess Program, presented by Reis-Nichols, gives women the chance to strengthen their leadership and personal intelligence. With over 50 years of history, the program implements each young woman with a remarkable experience,” said Kathy Cabello, 500 Festival board member and Princess Program committee co-chair. “The 500 Festival is pleased to engage with Indiana’s next generation of leaders.”
The 2019 500 Festival Princesses represent 13 Indiana colleges and universities and 20 cities and towns across the state. With a cumulative GPA of 3.65, this year’s 500 Festival Princesses were selected from hundreds of applicants based on their communication skills, academic performance and community involvement.
One of the 33 Princesses will be selected as the 2019 500 Festival Queen and will receive an additional $1,500 scholarship. The queen will be crowned May 18 during the 500 Festival Breakfast at the Brickyard, presented by Midwestern Engineers, Inc.
To learn more about the 500 Festival, visit www.500festival.com.