Out of 274 applicants for the 500 Festival Princess Program, 33 girls were chosen, and five of them were chosen from Ball State.
Kari Castetter, Erika Tishner, Samantha Ellison, Emily Schaefer and Jessica Tharp were the five girls from Ball State chosen to represent Indiana at the fetival at Indianapolis Speedway.
The girls will serve as ambassadors for the 500 Festival and also represent their hometowns and high schools.
The 55 annual IPL 500 Festival Parade will come to the streets of downtown Indianapolis on May 26, but until then princesses will be making public appearances.
Senior nursing major Castetter will represent her former high school, Hamilton Southeastern as well as the city of Fishers.
"I'm very passionate about the state of Indiana, being involved, community service and leadership - all things that are also important to the program," Castetter said. "I felt as though I really had no reason not to apply."
Castetter said she knew of previous princesses who told her that their experience being a princess was "the time of their lives."
First year architecture graduate student Erika Tishner said she wanted to apply for the program to enhance her public speaking and interview skills.
"It is a once in a lifetime opportunity to represent the 500 Festival, Indianapolis Motor Speedway and the city of Indianapolis as well as my hometown and of course, my university," Tishner said.
So far, she has coordinated six community outreaches.
Those community outreaches include speaking at local schools, volunteering, mentoring children and visiting nursing homes, Tishner said.
The girls not only are giving back to the community, but they also are giving back to the university by representing the campus in a positive light.
"In my four years as a student, Ball State has given me so much," Castetter said. "I am so thankful for this opportunity because it gives me a chance to give back not only through outreach programs, but as a representative for my university."
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