Hello All!
Amidst a very busy final semester of my
undergraduate career, I have taken on a new role... I am honored to have been
selected as one of the 2018 500 Festival Princesses! I am so thrilled to
be representing Indiana and to have the experience of a lifetime interacting
with Indiana residents and the 500,000 people that participate in the 500
Festival’s events and programs. While it is exciting being able to walk around
the city in a tiara and sash, the responsibilities of a Princess go beyond the
outward appearance…
Being a 500 Festival Princess is about being an
ambassador for the 500 Festival, the city of Indianapolis, and the entire
state. The 500 Festival is a non-profit organization that focuses on
providing life-enriching events and programs that celebrate the spirit and legacy
of the Indy 500 and positively impacts the community and state. Throughout
my year as a Princess, I will gain leadership and professional skills by
participating in the 500 Festival Leadership Development Program, presented by
BKD. The Leadership Development Program includes workshops, a series of
speakers, and the opportunity to job shadow professionals in different fields.
In addition, I will have the opportunity to network with industry and political
figures while making some amazing friendships with fellow Princesses along the
way. I will be paired up with a member of the 500 Festival’s Board of
Directors, who will serve as a mentor for me over the coming months. One of the
aspects I'm most looking forward to is civic-engagement and getting to serve
the greater community.
During the next year, I will spend numerous
hours focusing on outreach projects. In outreaches, I will be able to serve
the community through volunteer work, share my experience as a Princess and
knowledge regarding the 500 Festival to a wide-range of individuals.
Particularly, I am looking forward to the opportunity to go back to my hometown
and giving back to the community that shaped me into the person I am today.
Thus far, I have attended the 2018 500 Festival
Princess Program orientation in which I mingled with the other 32 Princesses
(all super talented and sweet, by the way, and did I mention the group has a
cumulative GPA of 3.72?!) and met 500 Festival staff, members of the Board of
Directors and several other business leaders from Indianapolis. It was
such a wonderful weekend hearing words of wisdom and encouragement from Princess
Program Alumnae, directors, and corporate sponsors. This past Thursday,
my first official 500 Festival event as a Princess, I took part in the 500
Festival Corporate Member Breakfast, listening to some inspirational speakers
share the impact that the 500 Festival has had on them, and speaking with some
of the organization's biggest supporters.
While it may only be March, May will be here before I know it! I have less than 60 days until May and 100 days before the big Indy 500 race weekend, so I am trying my best to take in every opportunity I can to build meaningful relationships and leave a lasting-impact.
Kindly,
Hallie
No comments:
Post a Comment