33 young women from across Indiana have been selected to serve in the 2013 500 Festival Princess Program. Lauren Karmire, of Shelbyville, a sophomore at Butler University, will be a 2013 Princess. Karmire is a 2011 graduate of Triton Central High School.

Becoming a 500 Festival Princess is an experience of a lifetime. As ambassadors of the 500 Festival, the 2013 Indianapolis 500^® and their hometowns, the princesses will attend and volunteer at 500 Festival events and programs throughout the month of May. In addition, the 33 princesses will be involved with statewide outreach programs of their choosing. Princesses are also present at various Indianapolis Motor Speedway^® functions and participate in the Indianapolis 500^® Victory Circle celebration.

This year’s 500 Festival princesses represent nine Indiana colleges and universities and 21 cities and towns across the state. The young women were selected from 200 applicants based on communication skills, poise, academic performance and community and volunteer involvement.

Applicants must be between 18 and 23 years old, single and legal residents of Indiana. Candidates must also be full-time students in a fully-accredited Indiana college or university and must maintain a cumulative grade point average of at least 2.8 on a 4.0 scale. This year’s princesses have a cumulative grade point average of 3.4.