Indianapolis 500 Princesses teach, learn and serve

Elizabeth Wheatley, left, and Lindsey Fitzgerald, both 2009 500 Festival princesses, quiz fourth-grade students at St. Matthew School in Indianapolis about race day trivia. The princesses, who both attended Catholic schools, visit schools, hospitals and nursing homes to promote the Indianapolis 500. (Photo by Kamilla Benko)

By Kamilla Benko

The fourth-graders at St. Matthew School in Indianapolis strained their hands toward the ceiling and frantically wiggled about trying to get the attention of two princesses.

It may be the closest they have ever come to meeting royalty—Indiana royalty, that is.

Catholic school alumnae Elizabeth Wheatley and Lindsey Fitzgerald, both princesses in this year’s 2009 500 Festival Princess Program, visited the North Deanery grade school on May 12 to promote the Indianapolis 500.

“[The Indianapolis 500] is such a great Indiana tradition,” said Wheatley, a St. Matthew School graduate and 2005 graduate of Bishop Chatard High School in Indianapolis.

“A friend of mine told me about the [princess] program, and I just thought it would be a lot of fun,” Wheatley said.

“I think a lot of times people just take the race for granted,” said Fitzgerald, a Nativity of Our Lord Jesus Christ School alumna and 2005 graduate of Roncalli High School in Indianapolis. “But everybody comes from all over the world to see the Indianapolis 500. I feel honored to be a part of it.”

As princesses, Wheatley and Fitzgerald attend many functions and parties, such as Carburetion Day and Breakfast at the Brickyard, that are held throughout the month of May. Sponsors provide the young women with jewelry, tiaras, jackets and formal gowns.

Indianapolis Festival Princesses must be 19 to 23 years old, residents of Indiana and full-time students enrolled in an Indiana college or university. This year’s princesses come from 10 Indiana schools, and represent 25 cities and towns across the state.

Wheatley graduated from Purdue University this spring with a degree in public relations and advertising. Fitzgerald will graduate from Purdue University this winter.

The festival program received 245 applications, but only 33 women were chosen after the interview process. Princess selections are based on communication skills, poise, academic performance, and community and volunteer involvement.

Even though Wheatley and Fitzgerald receive “royal treatment,” they have not turned their back on service, something they consider to be a fundamental part of their Catholic faith.

Wheatley participates in Ambassadors for Children, a charitable organization that sends volunteers around the world to help children. She also took part in several outreach programs through Purdue’s musical organizations.

“At Bishop Chatard,” Wheatley said, “I really learned the importance of service and giving back to the community. The princess program has really given me an opportunity to reach out in the community, and learn more about ways I can give back.”

For 10 years, Fitzgerald has helped The Lord’s Pantry, a ministry founded by the late Lucious Newsom to provide food and other necessities to people in need in Indianapolis.

The pantry means a lot to her, Fitzgerald said, because of the close relationship her family shared with Newsom, who died in 2008.

“Working at the pantry is one of the things I really love to do,” she said.

As princesses, Wheatley and Fitzgerald visit schools, hospitals and nursing homes to speak with the people there and teach them about the race.

During their presentation to the fourth-grade students, Wheatley and Fitzgerald read aloud a picture book with facts about the Indianapolis 500 then quizzed the children about the race. Students with the correct answers were rewarded with a Snickers bar.

Afterward, the students sat behind the wheel of a 2010 Chevrolet Camaro pace car in the St. Matthew’s parking lot. The kids scrambled into the front seat, and almost all of them honked the horn.

Father Paul Shikany, pastor of St. Matthew Parish and an avid race fan, could not resist the sleek car. He slipped into the front seat, and went for a spin while the fourth-graders waved goodbye.

Wheatley and Fitzgerald autographed Indianapolis 500 schedules for the

fourth-graders, and laughed at the students’ excitement over the car. The princesses said they were having fun, too.

Steve Wheatley said he was happy to see his daughter’s interest in the race re-energized.

“She has really enjoyed getting to be involved and learning what is going on,” he said.

Even Fitzgerald, who grew up in a family of race fans, said she has gained a new appreciation and knowledge of the Indianapolis 500.

Learning and teaching, both women said, is the best part of being an Indianapolis 500 princess.

“Getting people excited about something that I love so much and informing people about things they never even knew about is the best part,” Fitzgerald said.

On race day, the princesses view the race in prime seats—right next to the start/finish line. The princesses are also allowed to visit the garage and pit areas, and have the opportunity to meet the drivers.

“I think I would like to meet [driver] Tony Kanaan. That’s whom I’m going to try to meet in the month of May,” Fitzgerald said with a laugh.

“I cannot wait to share in the excitement of race day with the 32 other princesses and all of the fans that come from all over,” Wheatley said. “It is such an Indiana tradition, and it is an honor to be a part of this program.” †