Student chosen as 1 of Indy 500’s princesses

Jenna Liechty has always been involved in community service, and now she’s being rewarded for her efforts by being chosen as one of 33 Indy 500 Festival princesses.

“I’m so excited,” said Liechty, a first-year student at the School of Optometry.

She found out about the Festival program through one of her sorority sisters, and she said she could see herself doing it.

“I want to get involved in the community and meet new people,” Leichty said.
The princesses are ambassadors to the Indianapolis community and help the festival’s outreach program by speaking at schools.

The princesses attend programs and events throughout the semester, many in May.
In the time leading up to the race, the young women do meet-and-greets at schools while being positive role models, said Co Bartel, princess coordinator.

There are several requirements women must meet to be a 500 Festival princess, Bartel said.

“They have to be Indiana residents, go to an Indiana college, have a GPA of 2.8 or above and have community service,” she said.

This year 35 of the 245 applicants were IU students. The 33 girls who get through the selection process must take classes where they learn media relations, etiquette, racing and the 500 Festival, Bartel said.

Bartel said Liechty has a great personality and thinks she will do a good job.
Liechty’s father agreed.

“It builds character and poise. It’s an opportunity to get involved in the community, and she’ll remember it for the rest of her life,” Jason Liechty said.

He said the honor has a special meaning for Jenna Liechty, who is doing it in part for her mother, who passed away in August after a 20-year battle with multiple sclerosis.
“Her mom was supportive of this,” Jason Liechty said.

Because of her mother, the majority of Jenna Liechty’s community service involvement is with the National Multiple Sclerosis Society. She tries to spread the word about the disease.

“It’s what’s close to my heart,” she said.