Princess Brooke Sahm....why I applied to be a Princess!

          I applied for the 500 Festival Princess Program for many reasons; however, it was my affiliation with the 500 Festival that drove my desire to be a Princess.  Looking back to when I was a little girl, I remember attending the 500 Festival Parade every single year.  I always had a front row ticket in all of the parade action because my mother actually works for the company that designs and builds the floats.  Year after year, I remember seeing the princesses in their ball gowns.  They always looked like they were having so much fun up on the float, waving to everyone in attendance.  It wasn’t until 3 years ago when I had the opportunity to work for Expo Design, in building the parade floats that I started to seriously think about applying for the Princess Program.   I was never really the girly type, I grew up with mostly boys; however, after talking to a couple of girls I knew who participated in the Program and hearing their personal stories, I knew I wanted to apply.  They shared with me the many friendships that they made in the program, the many opportunities they had to get out and connect with the community, and ultimately the personal growth and confidence boost that they gained from being a part of the Princess Program.  After 3 years of being behind the scenes of building the floats, actually driving a float in the parade, running the mini marathon, and attending the Indianapolis 500, I knew it was time to apply.  Without question, I filled out my application and turned it in as soon as I could. 

          I still remember what I was doing when I received my email of congratulations from the 500 Festival.  I think I even shed a few tears of happiness I was so excited to be given this opportunity to represent my school, my city of Indianapolis, and the 500 Festival in such a big way.  My time as a 500 Festival Princess is something I will never forget.  The friendships and connections that I made, the personal growth and confidence that I built, the outreaches I participated in, and the feeling of being on cloud 9.  It was all just unforgettable.  I am so glad that I had the opportunity to participate in the 500 Festival Princess Program, it is something I will always take with me, and I truly believe…once a princess, always a princess.