21-03-2025
Two Indiana State students selected as 2025 500 Festival Princesses
TERRE HAUTE, Ind. (WTWO/WAWV) — We are less than 70 days away from the 109th running of the Indianapolis 500. Every year, a group of 33 college-aged women play an integral part when it comes promoting the 500 Festival leading up to race day.
This year, two Indiana State University students were selected to serve as 2025 500 Festival Princesses.
Suzy Head is a junior studying Intelligence Analysis Counterintelligence in hopes of one day working in foreign policy for the CIA. Piper Watkins dual majors in Public Relations and Digital Communications, with hopes of working in PR or social media.
Wakins served at Miss Indiana State University 2024, before crowning Suzy Head as Miss Indiana State University 2025.
'I wanted to go into schools and make an impact on kids the way I had an impact made on me,' said Suzy Head. 'The Indy 500 was the first field trip I ever took in elementary school. So when I heard about this program, I want to be involved.'
The 33 princesses are chosen from hundreds of applicants across the state. Although, the 500 Festival Princess Program is not a pageant.
Those selected are based on academics, community involvement, communication skills, and leadership. 500 Festival Princesses are key promoters for the organization, their colleges, and for the state of Indiana.
'You really get to teach the community about the different programs that the 500 Festival promotes,' said Piper Watkins. 'They have so many different things that the community really loves to hear about, and they love to get involved in. We go out, and we help teach those about the events, and try to get them involved.'
Head and Watkins will both serve as ambassadors to the community excited for the month of May. In doing so, 500 Festival Princesses will conduct over 1,500 hours of community service, by attending events at local schools, organizations, and not-for-profits educating about the 500 Festival.
'500 Festival Princess carries out the duties of the 500 festivals. It's to get people engaged to have them learn about what we offer. The programs and everything leading to the race. We're supposed to create this nurturing environment, this fun environment,' said Suzy Head.
Being a 500 Festival Princess is more than a crown and a sash: it's an opportunity to grow.
'I really think that the biggest thing I am going to gain is just learning overall, and individual growth. For me having not known much about the program until I wanted to apply, it's been really cool seeing it all in action and seeing what they do for the community and seeing how we can give back,' said Watkins.
This year's 500 Festival Princesses class represents 17 colleges and 20 cities across the state with a cumulative GPA of 3.70. From now until race day, the 33 princesses will be busy balancing
'I wanted to give back to my community and help them feel that sense of family. A sense of togetherness and that Hoosier spirit. That's why I became a 500 Festival Princess,' said Watkins.
The 109th running of the Indianapolis 500 is set to take place on May 25th, 2025, at the Indianapolis Motor Speedway.
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