Chelsea Murdock of Fishers, Indiana, is the 2025 500 Festival Queen Scholar.
Murdock, a sophomore at Ball State University, was crowned on May 17 during the 500 Festival Breakfast at the Brickyard, at the Indianapolis Motor Speedway. Murdock is one of 33 young women selected for the 2025 500 Festival Princess Program.
The program, which selects college-aged women from across the state to act as ambassadors for their hometowns and colleges and universities, aims to uplift the 500 Festival’s mission in creating a positive impact on both Indianapolis and Indiana, according to a press release.
Throughout the month of May, the 500 Festival Princesses are given an opportunity to educate Hoosiers about the 500 Festival’s iconic history through the statewide outreach program and celebrate the spirit of the Indianapolis 500 by serving their communities, according to a press release.
This year, the 500 Festival Princess Program represents 17 Indiana colleges and universities and 20 Hoosier cities and towns. The 2025 Princess Class features scholars with a cumulative GPA of 3.70, and experience in leadership, academic stewardship, community involvement and “embodiment of the Hoosier spirit,” according to a press release.
Murdock, who is pursuing a degree in secondary English education, is actively involved in student leadership at Ball State University, including serving as an Excellence in Leadership ambassador, president of Student Government Association and Risk Prevention Chair for the Black Student Association.
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“Leadership and service are not measured in the quantity of lives we touch, nor how many people witness the impact of our helping others,” Murdock said in a statement. “Instead, the value of these experiences is in the individual, impactful moments of philanthropy and connection.”
Each 500 Festival Princess is gifted a custom pendant from Khanis Fine Jewelers and a $1,500 scholarship, sponsored by the 500 Festival Foundation and Marlyne Sexton, president of The Sexton Companies.
As the 2025 500 Festival Queen Scholar, Murdock will represent the 500 Festival at various events throughout the year. She will also receive an additional $1,500 educational scholarship from the 500 Festival Foundation and get to wear the custom 500 Festival Queen Scholar’s crown at 500 Festival events and the Indianapolis 500. Murdock will also be present for various activities throughout the week, including the Indianapolis 500 pre-race and Victory Circle celebrations.
For more information about the 500 Festival Princess Program, visit 500festival.com/Princess.
Contact Arts & Culture Reporter Chloe McGowan at 317-762-7848. Follow her on X @chloe_mcgowanxx.
Chloe McGowan is the Arts & Culture Reporter for the Indianapolis Recorder Newspaper. Originally from Columbus, OH, Chloe graduated with a degree in journalism from The Ohio State University. She is a former IndyStar Pulliam Fellow, and her previous work includes freelancing for Indy Maven, Assistant Arts & Life Editor for The Lantern, and editorial assistant at CityScene Media Group. Chloe enjoys covering all things arts and culture — from local music, visual art, dance, theater and film, as well as minority-owned businesses. In her free time, Chloe enjoys reading, cooking and keeping her plants alive.
