INDIANAPOLIS (February 18, 2026) – The 500 Festival is honored to announce the 33 remarkable Indiana women selected to serve as 500 Festival Princesses throughout the 2026 season. The Princesses represent 19 Indiana colleges and universities, 21 cities across the state, and have a cumulative GPA of 3.75. This year’s class was selected from hundreds of applicants for their academic excellence, community engagement, exceptional leadership, and deep pride in their Hoosier heritage. 

The 500 Festival Princess Program, presented by The National Bank of Indianapolis, has a long-standing tradition of honoring Indiana’s most community-driven and academically accomplished young women. As 500 Festival Princesses, they will embark on a meaningful journey of service and leadership, while growing their professional skills, building meaningful connections across the state, and receiving mentorship from the 500 Festival Board of Directors. Princesses play an important role in advancing the 500 Festival’s mission by making a positive, lasting impact on Indianapolis and the state of Indiana while celebrating the legacy of the Indianapolis 500. 

Throughout the Month of May, Princesses educate Hoosiers about the rich history and the iconic spirit of the 500 Festival and the Indianapolis 500 through statewide outreach, community service, and engagement – collectively reaching more than 50,000 people each year through over 1,500 hours of service at schools, hospitals, and community events across Indiana. 

To request a visit from a 500 Festival Princess, click HERE.  

The 2026 500 Festival Princesses, hometown, high school, college or university, and area of study are as follows (in alphabetical order). Individual and group photos can be downloaded HERE. 

Cailin Ballenger (Centerville) – graduate of Centerville Senior High School, and a Junior at Indiana University majoring in Elementary Education.  

Karly Barnett (Huntingburg) – graduate of Southridge High School, and a Senior at Indiana University Indianapolis majoring in Biology and Psychology.  

Pilar Bravo (Indianapolis) – graduate of Perry Meridian High School, and a Sophomore at Marian University majoring in Business Management. 

Megan Broviak (Noblesville) – graduate of Noblesville High School, and a Sophomore at Butler University majoring in Chemistry and Spanish.  

Sydney Clements (Greenwood) – graduate of Franklin Community High School, and a medical student at Indiana University School of Medicine. 

Brooke Comer (Georgetown) – graduate of North Harrison High School, and a Doctor of Pharmacy student at Purdue University. 

Katey Cooper (Muncie) – graduate of Yorktown High School, and a Senior at Ball State University majoring in Business Administration. 

Maxine Cosat (Indianapolis) – graduate of Mooresville High School, and a Senior at Indiana University Indianapolis majoring in Nursing. 

Hannah Dietel (Woodburn) – graduate of Woodlan Junior/Senior High School, and a Senior at the University of Saint Francis majoring in Health and Exercise Science. 

Helena Donaldson (Evansville) – graduate of Francis Joseph Reitz High School, and a Senior at Rose-Hulman Institute of Technology majoring in Computer Science. 

Loany Galeano-Breve (Plymouth) – graduate of Plymouth High School, and a Sophomore at Saint Mary’s College majoring in Political Science. 

Sruthika Gangisetty (Brownsburg) – graduate of Brownsburg High School, and a Junior at the University of Southern Indiana majoring in Psychology and Pre-Medical Sciences. 

Shayla George (Bloomington) – graduate of John Adams High School, pursuing a Master of Public Affairs studying Nonprofit Management at Indiana University. 

Margaret Gholdson (Speedway) – graduate of Speedway Senior High School, and a Senior at Purdue University majoring in Psychology and Theatre. 

Melanie Gutierrez (Westfield) – graduate of Early College High School at Midland College, and a Senior at Indiana University East majoring in Psychology. 

Mackenzie Jarvis (Indianapolis) – graduate of Pike High School, and a Senior at Manchester University majoring in Business Management and Marketing and concurrently pursuing her MBA. 

Jackie Lawrence (Noblesville) – graduate of Noblesville High School and Butler University, and a law student at Indiana University Robert H. McKinney School of Law. 

Krisha Mattu (Avon) – graduate of Avon High School, and a Junior at Indiana University majoring in Neuroscience. 

Eve McElhaney (Keystone) – graduate of Southern Wells Junior/Senior High School, and a Senior at Indiana State University majoring in Political Science and Legal Studies. 

Treyanna Moten (Indianapolis) – graduate of Pike High School, and a Sophomore at Indiana University majoring in Social Work. 

Kayli Nguyen (Greenwood) – graduate of Whiteland Community High School, and a Senior at Indiana University Indianapolis majoring in Biology. 

Cameron Noe (Westfield) – graduate of Westfield High School, and a Sophomore at Ball State University majoring in Media and Journalism. 

Olivia Parker (Lebanon) – graduate of Lebanon High School, and a Junior at Trine University majoring in Exercise Science. 

Emma Pearce (Noblesville) – graduate of Noblesville High School, and a Junior at Indiana University majoring in Sports Media with a certificate in Journalism. 

Hannah Pensyl (Westfield) – graduate of Westfield High School, and a Doctor of Dental Surgery student at the Indiana University School of Dentistry. 

Paola Perillo Parra (Indianapolis) – graduate of Brebeuf Jesuit Preparatory School, and a Senior at Purdue University majoring in Hospitality and Tourism Management. 

Natalie Priser (Indianapolis) – graduate of Bishop Chatard High School, and a Senior at Marian University majoring in Business Management, Marketing, and Finance. 

Hailey Ready (Greenwood) – homeschool graduate, and a Senior at Marian University majoring in Biology and English. 

Ava Rogers (Terre Haute) – graduate of Terre Haute South Vigo High School, and a Junior at Marian University majoring in Business Management, Global Studies, and Pre-law. 

Ruth Tripp (Converse) – graduate of Oak Hill High School, and a Junior at Indiana Wesleyan University majoring in Social Studies Education and Honors Humanities. 

McKinley Underhill (Noblesville) – graduate of Noblesville High School, and a Senior at Purdue University majoring in Animal Sciences. 

Kierra Wilson (Wabash) – graduate of Wabash High School, and a Junior at Huntington University majoring in Occupational Therapy Assistant. 

Lauren Wuthrich (New Paris) – graduate of Fairfield Junior/Senior High School, and a Junior at Indiana Wesleyan University majoring in Strategic Communications. 

“We are proud to welcome this year’s 500 Festival Princesses and look forward to the enthusiasm they will share with communities across the state” said Dave Neff, 500 Festival president and CEO. “Through this program, these young women will build lasting connections, grow as leaders, and help carry forward the spirit and tradition of the 500 Festival.” 

Support for the 500 Festival Princess Program is provided by The National Bank of Indianapolis, Marlyne Sexton (in memoriam), Khamis Fine Jewelers, Indianapolis Motor Speedway, and the 500 Festival Foundation.   

To learn more about the 500 Festival Princess Program, please visit 500Festival.com/Princess or search #PrincessProgram on social media.