Forget the glass slipper, these princesses are making a name for themselves. Amongst hundreds of applications, five of the 33 college-aged women chosen for this year’s 500 Festival Princess Program are representing IUPUI.
As program ambassadors, the selected princesses go through a 500 Festival Leadership Development Program, receive a $1,000 scholarship, perform outreaches with community organizations and participate in events leading up to race day.
Faith Zindozin Odiete
Criminal Justice
Question: Describe your experience in the program.
Answer: "Since the program began in 1959, I’m the first Nigerian to be a 500 Festival Princess. So that’s really fun to be able to put my community on the map and let other girls know they can do it. Initially I was a little skeptical about it, thinking 'this is not made for people that look like me, with my skin color, or where I come from.' But it has been an absolutely amazing experience because I can give back to my community and be a part of that leadership progress. I love it."
Q: What kind of outreach have you done in the community?
A: "Most of my outreaches are with young girls. I go into schools and talk to them about my personal story and how I became a princess, and how they can get into the program one day too. During my first outreach, two girls came up to me and wouldn’t let me go because they haven’t seen someone that’s looked like them with a sash and a crown come to their school before. And that really stuck with me."
Jenna Nicodemus
Public Health, Social Behavioral Sciences
Q: Why did you apply for the 500 Festival Princess Program?
A: "It’s something a few of my friends have gone through, and I’ve heard phenomenal things about the program. It’s not so much based on a pageant, but community outreach and community service — which are both things I’m passionate about."
Q: Describe your experience in the program.
A: "It’s been a great experience so far. They were very authentic about what we’re actually trying to do by connecting with the community and that it would be like a sisterhood by the end of it. I feel like I’ve already created a lot of great relationships with the other girls and community partners."
Ayesha Saeed
Business Management
Q: What has been your favorite part of the program so far?
A: "Getting to know the other princesses. We all come from diverse backgrounds and majors at our universities, so it’s been nice to learn about everyone’s interests and support the girls at their outreaches."
Q: What kind of outreach have you done in the community?
A: "I’ve been working with Gigi’s Playhouse, which is a Down Syndrome Achievement Center; it’s something I’m really passionate about because I have family members with down syndrome. On March 21, which is Down Syndrome Day, we all dyed socks together."
Ishita Sameer Bhedi
Biomedical Engineering
Q: Why did you apply for the 500 Festival Princess Program?
A: "I’m an international student, so Indy has been my second home away from home. It’s my senior year, so what better way to celebrate that than by giving back to the community that has really housed me over the past four years? So, I thought this program was the perfect opportunity."
Q: What has been your favorite part of the program so far?
A: "When we got our sash and crown and everything sunk in, which was during our orientation. It was also one of the first days where I got to meet the other 32 princesses, who are all from different towns and universities around Indiana."
Hannah Romero De Gante
Health Science, Pre-Occupational Therapy
Q: Why did you apply for the 500 Festival Princess Program?
A: "The program is very community, scholarship and leadership based. And I’m very passionate about giving back to my community. So when I saw something that aligned with my goals as well, it inspired me to apply. I’m really hoping to grow in my leadership through this program."
Q: What kind of outreach have you done in the community?
A: "I’m from a small town in Seymour, Ind. and wanted to focus most of my outreaches there because of how important my hometown is to me. My community there shaped me to be who I am today. I went back to my personal elementary school, high schools, and other schools in the area to talk about my journey as a 500 Festival Princess.
My hope has been to inspire all, especially the English learning community, in knowing how helpful others were in my growth. As a child, it was inspiring to see someone from my own community flourish, and it is only my hope to inspire someone just as much."
