Chloe Smith grew up in Fishers, Indiana, which is where she attended high school, too. She’s not a total stranger to the Region, as she just recently graduated from Valparaiso University (VU). Her time as an undergraduate was accelerated, with her only taking three years to complete all the coursework she needed to. This fall, she will be a part of the school’s Physician Assistant Program. It’s not necessarily her accomplishments as a student alone that make her stand out, though.
In May of 2022, Smith attended the 500 Festival, an event that celebrates the soul and legacy of the Indianapolis 500 and the state of Indiana as a whole. She was with her family, and upon seeing different floats go by and feeling inspired by the energy of the event, she suggested they volunteer for the next year. Then she noticed the Princesses pass, and she resolved that that would be her way into the parade, as well as her way of connecting with a long history of Indiana women who’ve come before her.
The 500 Festival Princess Program has been a long-standing tradition since its founding in 1959. It’s meant to honor Indiana’s most civic-minded and academically driven young women. Just as there are 33 Indy cars in the race that the program glorifies, there are 33 women who are selected out of a pool of hundreds of applicants, to represent as ambassadors of their hometowns and wherever it is they attend university. The process is quite rigorous, and nothing’s guaranteed—but Smith stuck with it, her determination assisting her eventual seizure of the opportunity.
“I ended up applying this past December, and it was a pretty long application process — essays, cover letters, a resume, character references, all the works. Then I went through two rounds of interviews, all of which were long. When I found out I was selected, I was just overjoyed. It's a very unique opportunity to serve your community,” she said.
Lasting from mid-February until race day, the program requires the active engagement of its Princesses. They’re to execute outbound outreaches—possible visits to hospitals, nursing homes, community events, and miscellaneous youth programs. All of it is centered on providing life-enriching experiences for both the Princesses and those whom they serve and support.
“As Princesses, we organized service projects on our own. A lot of what we did was so that we could be in collaboration with communities all around. Organizations would reach out to us and request Princesses at their events. We were required to go to all the mandatory 500 Festival events, and I absolutely loved doing all of them. I wanted to take advantage of every opportunity I could have,” she said.
Smith seeks to help people, and she possesses an eagerness to one day be a full-time physician’s assistant or PA. Being a Princess has offered her the chance to form life-lasting bonds with professionals already in her desired field. Whatever it is that she decides to do, there are doors unlocked, leading to different kinds of positions in healthcare, such as working as a PA on the medical team at the racetrack where the Indy 500 goes on.
One’s undergraduate studies are monumental to the development of their psyche because lots of growing and learning is involved. From being a member of a sorority to battling through organic-chemistry classes, there have been many ups and downs. One thing that’s for certain is that, regardless of the nature of these particular experiences, they’ve become highlights she’ll cherish forever.
“Making new friends was great. I've already been a bridesmaid at a friend's wedding, which makes me feel grown up. Senior year, I was the university's mascot, Blaze, for basketball and volleyball games, and that was just such a fun time. I'm also in the sorority Gamma Phi Beta, and we were two-time intramural volleyball champions. I particularly remember the championship game, when a ton of girls in our sorority came out to support us. It was all so much fun,” she said.
A self-identified Star Wars nerd, Smith delights in the various aspects of her life. She likes to be a hammocker whenever the weather presents the opportunity to do so. During her last spring break as an undergrad, she spent time in Italy, visiting all the nooks and crannies of the country. She prioritizes family time and has gone on trips with them to places like Colorado, Utah, and Arizona, hiking all over.
Smith’s favorite part about Valparaiso lies in the convenience it offers. Located so close to several significant spots, she’s been sure to venture to all of them, enjoying the glee she gets when going out and getting acclimated to the adventurous spirit of the area.
“The things around the Region make the place feel so magical, like the Dunes. Me and my friends always go there and hang out. Being close to Chicago and having the chance to explore the city is an aspect that I really appreciate about being at Valpo,” she said.