5/1/2009

“2009 Indianapolis 500” Princess Visits Southern Indiana Rehab Hospital

Who:  The 2009 Indianapolis 500 Princess, Amanda Bayes, from Scottsburg, Indiana.  Bayes is a student at Indiana University (Class of 2009) and is majoring in Therapeutic Recreation and Psychology.

What:   Visiting patients and employees of   Southern Indiana Rehab Hospital

When:     Monday, May 4, at Noon

Where:   Southern Indiana Rehab Hospital Cafeteria
              3104 Blackiston Boulevard
              New Albany Indiana

Why:   Thirty-three young women from across Indiana have been selected to serve in the 2009 500 Festival Princess Program. As ambassadors of the 500 Festival, the 93rd running of the Indianapolis 500 and their hometowns, the princesses will attend 500 Festival events and volunteer programs throughout the month of May.

In addition, the 33 princesses will be involved with statewide outreach programs of their choice. Princesses also are present at various Indianapolis Motor Speedway functions and participate in the Indianapolis 500 Victory Celebration.

About the 2009 Indianapolis 500 and Princess Program
Established in 1909, the Indianapolis Motor Speedway has long prevailed as an icon of motorsports excellence. Known as the “Greatest Spectacle in Racing,” this year’s race will be held Sunday, May 24. In 2009, the Speedway celebrates its Centennial Era, commemorating the 100th anniversary of the facility in 2009 and the 100th anniversary of the Indianapolis 500 Mile Race in 2011.

One of the 33 princesses will be selected as the 2009 500 Festival Queen and receive a $2,500 scholarship. The queen will be crowned Saturday, May 16 during the 500 Festival Breakfast at the Brickyard at the Indianapolis Motor Speedway.

This year's 500 Festival princesses represent 10 Indiana colleges and universities and 25 cities and towns across the state. The young women were selected from 245 applicants based on communication skills, poise, academic performance and community and volunteer involvement.

To be eligible for the 500 Festival Princess Program, applicants must be between the ages of 19 and 23, single and legal residents of Indiana. Candidates must also be full-time undergraduate students in a fully-accredited Indiana college or university and maintain a cumulative grade point average of at least 2.8 on a 4.0 scale.

About Southern Indiana Rehab Hospital
Southern Indian Rehab Hospital is a 60-bed facility owned and operated by Frazier Rehab Institute, Floyd Memorial Hospital and Health Services and Clark Memorial Hospital.  Since 1994, SIRH has been providing inpatient and outpatient physical, occupational, speech and psychology therapy services to children and adults suffering from injuries, illnesses and disabilities.
For more information on this event, contact Barbara Mackovic, Media Relations, at (502) 587-4230.
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