By STAFF REPORT
Several alumni from south side schools were named to the 500 Festival Princess 2025 Class.
The program is a tribute to Indiana’s most community-oriented and academically accomplished young women, according to the 500 Festival website. Each year, 33 college-aged women are selected to serve as 500 Festival Princesses. The Princesses serve as ambassadors for the 500 Festival, their hometowns, and respective colleges or universities.
The 2025 500 Festival Princesses represent 17 Indiana colleges and universities and 20 cities and towns. This class was selected from hundreds of applicants based on communication skills, academic performance (including a cumulative GPA of 3.7 or higher), community involvement, commitment to service, and leadership, according to the website.
This year’s Princesses include the following south side natives:
Perry Meridian High School alumna Maria Ayala, now a freshman at Marian University studying elementary education;
Roncalli High School alumna Adelle Burkhardt, now a junior at the University of Notre Dame studying aerospace engineering;
Southport High School alumna Hannah Cooper, now a senior at Ivy Tech Community College Bloomington studying radiation therapy;
Franklin Central High School alumna Reetika Hogade, now a sophomore at Purdue University studying biomedical engineering;
Greenwood Community High School alumna Madison Ramsey, now a senior at Grace College studying counseling;
Franklin Community High School alumna Megan Tennell, now a graduate student at Indiana University Indianapolis studying criminal justice; and
Franklin Central High School alumna Sara Zink, now a junior at Ball State University studying media promotion and management.
“Being a 500 Festival Princess opens the door to unparalleled experiences and an abundance of leadership and professional growth prospects,” Festival staff said on its website. “Since its inception in 1959, over 2,000 outstanding Indiana women have had the honor of being selected as 500 Festival Princesses, leaving a lasting impact on their college campuses and communities.”
More information about the Princess Program and 500 Festival can be found at 500festival.com.
