Five Hamilton County women selected as 2025 500 Festival Princesses

The 500 Festival announced on Tuesday the five college-aged women from Hamilton County who have been selected as 2025 500 Festival Princesses.

• Emily Campagna (Carmel) – graduate of North Central High School, and a junior at Indiana University majoring in political science.
• Valliei Chandrakumar (Carmel) – graduate of Carmel High School, and a senior at Indiana University Indianapolis majoring in nursing.
• Holly DeLong (Noblesville) – graduate of Noblesville High School, and a senior at Indiana University majoring in marketing.
• Chelsea Murdock (Fishers) – graduate of Hamilton Southeastern High School, and a sophomore at Ball State University majoring in secondary English education.
• Laura Shupe (Carmel) – graduate of Westfield High School, and a sophomore at Butler University majoring in healthcare and business.

The 500 Festival Princess Program, presented by The National Bank of Indianapolis, has a longstanding tradition of recognizing Indiana’s most community-driven and scholarly-minded young women. As 500 Festival Princesses, these women will have the chance to develop their professional skills, create meaningful connections statewide, and receive leadership guidance from the 500 Festival Board of Directors.

The 2025 500 Festival Princesses represent 17 Indiana colleges and universities and 20 cities and towns across the state. With a cumulative grade-point average of 3.70, this year’s 500 Festival Princesses were selected from hundreds of applicants based on leadership, academic stewardship, community involvement, and their embodiment of the Hoosier spirit. This year’s class represents a diverse group of women with various areas of study that include education, biomedical health sciences, and communications studies.

They play a significant role in advancing the 500 Festival’s mission of fostering a positive and lasting impact on Indianapolis and the state of Indiana while celebrating the legacy of the Indianapolis 500. Princesses will have the opportunity to experience the Month of May in a unique and impactful way by educating Hoosiers about the rich history of the 500 Festival and Indianapolis 500 through statewide outreach, serving their communities, and celebrating the iconic spirit of the Indianapolis 500, impacting over 50,000 Hoosiers through more than 1,500 hours of community service. Their outreach efforts will include partnering with organizations they are passionate about, visiting local schools and hospitals, and attending community events.

Click here to request a visit from a 500 Festival Princess.

The 500 Festival Princess Program is supported by The National Bank of Indianapolis, the Indianapolis Motor Speedway, and the 500 Festival Foundation.

Each princess will be awarded a $1,500 scholarship, generously provided by Marlyne Sexton, philanthropist and president of The Sexton Companies, in partnership with the 500 Festival Foundation. Khamis Fine Jewelers, the proud and official partner of the program, will present each princess with a custom pendant necklace featuring a checkered outline of the state of Indiana and an INDYCAR design, symbolizing the iconic May festivities surrounding the Indianapolis Motor Speedway and the Indianapolis 500.

The 500 Festival Queen Scholar will be announced on Saturday, May 17 during the 500 Festival Breakfast at the Brickyard, presented by Midwestern Engineers, Inc. The 500 Festival Queen Scholar will receive an additional $1,500 scholarship.

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