By Mark Ambrogi
Claire McElwain knew exactly what she was getting into when she was the selected for the 500 Festival princess program.
“I’m lucky because I saw the princess program from a different perspective for awhile because my parents were on the board of directors for six years,” said McElwain, a 2013 Zionsville Community High School graduate. “So that’s how I was introduced to the program. I was able to get close to their princesses during their years on the board. I had a lot of high expectations about the fun stuff we get to do and the real cool volunteer work we get to do.”
Bob and Jayne McElwain were on the board from 2009 to 2015.
McElwain, who is majoring in journalism, just finished her junior year at Indiana University.
“Getting to know other girls from different colleges around the state, I forever thought would be a cool thing,” McElwain said. “It’s lived up to every expectation. You would think it would get cliquey, but it hasn’t at all. We all get along so well. I’ve enjoyed having 32 new really good friends.”
McElwain already experienced her favorite event, the 500 Festival Mini-Marathon.
“My dad has run over 20 in his lifetime,” McElwain said. “My older brother (Riley) ran his first one when he was 11. My mom has run a lot of them as well. Getting to see that from a behind-the-scenes standpoint from 500 Festival was great. I ran it in 2014 and this year I ran it as a princess. I wore my sash and all. A lot of the (princesses) work the water stations so that was a cool part.”
McElwain, 21, went to her first Indianapolis 500 at age 11. At first she didn’t want to go, but her father convinced her. She reluctantly went along and caught the racing bug.
“By the fifth lap, I ran down to one of the vendors and brought the headphones so I could hear what the drivers were saying,” McElwain said. “I’ve been to every race since. I love it.”
McElwain is president of her sorority, Alpha Chi Omega. Previously, she worked at Indiana Daily Student, writing an opinion column for three semesters.
