4 students crowned ‘princesses’

Each year, more than 200 women from Indiana apply for the chance to participate in the 500 Festival Princess Program, an offshoot event of the Indianapolis 500. Of those, only 33 make the cut. This year, four princesses are IU students.

Sophomores Madeline Blackwell and Emma Tiernon and seniors Brittany Ignas and Sydney West will serve as ambassadors at this year’s Indy 500.

As ambassadors, the girls volunteer at various programs throughout the month of May.
They also participate in an outreach activity of their choice and take part in the Indy 500 Victory Circle celebration.

The 2014 princesses come from a variety of interests and backgrounds, ranging from human biology and journalism to contemporary dance and foreign languages.
Each of this year’s winners had their own motivations to become princesses, including a family legacy.

Blackwell’s childhood nanny, who Blackwell said she greatly admired, was a princess. Watching this strong female role model in her life pursue this goal fostered the ambition within Blackwell.

Once her older sister became a princess, too, Blackwell said she was certain applying was a good idea. 

“Watching my sister give back to the city, form lasting relationships with the other women and participate in all of the festival events that the state of Indiana is known for confirmed my aspiration to be a 500 Festival Princess,” Blackwell said.

For Tiernon, the Indy 500 was a family tradition. Becoming a princess seemed like a great next step. 

“As long as I can remember, I have been going to the events and seeing the princesses,” Tiernon said. “As a child they were always a role model to me. Girls who represented themselves with poise, grace and confidence. Being of age now, I wanted the opportunity to be that role model for a little girl.”

The application process begins with an online portion including photographs, references and a questionnaire.

At the next stage, candidates go through a preliminary interview.

The top 66 advance to a second round.

The final 33 receive notification from director Kelby Hicks following the second interview.

Ignas said anticipation for the results felt endless, but she was ready to celebrate once she found out she was selected.

“I was sitting on the couch with my boyfriend, and once I got the email, I jumped off the couch and was so excited,” Ignas said. “I called my family and they were screaming over the phone.”

Tiernon made a phone call too, but hers stretched a farther distance.

“I immediately FaceTimed my mom, who was in Russia,” Tiernon said. “It was 3 a.m. her time and she had been waiting up all night to hear from me.”

Blackwell also reached out to her younger sister, who was in the midst of an intense competition when the news came through.

“I received the news I was selected to be a 2014 500 Festival Princess while I was in the stands watching my younger sister compete with her high school dance team,” Blackwell said. “I celebrated the news by cheering extra loud for my younger sister and her team who were about to perform, and calling my older sister immediately to let her know that we had another princess in the family.” 

Tiernon said there’s no tough secret behind becoming a princess.

“Be yourself,” Tiernon said. “Cliché, but in the process, I could tell girls were really nervous and their true, awesome personalities were being hidden.”

Ignas said princess hopefuls must display confidence about previous
accomplishments.

“During the interview, what they want to see is who you genuinely are,” Ignas said. “It’s good to show your personality and be proud of your accomplishments.”

Blackwell said she’s most excited to contribute to the Indy 500 in a different way than she has before.

“The festival has given me so many amazing memories over the years,” she said, “I’m excited to be able to give back and help other people make their own memories from festival events that they can always cherish.”