The month of May is always a special one for the city of Indianapolis as people pour in from across the world to fill the 257,000-seat Indianapolis Motor Speedway for the annual running of the Indianapolis 500. But for one IU Indianapolis School of Science student, 2024’s 108th running of the ‘Greatest Spectacle in Racing’ will be one she’ll always remember.
The one she was named Queen Scholar.
A native of Indianapolis’ westside, Lissania Perez, a dual-major in chemistry and law, knows all too well what the Indianapolis 500 means to the community. It’s partially why she applied to the 500 Festival Princess Program. But even after her acceptance, she never truly imagined earning the title of Festival Queen.
“The connotation that's around the title itself is huge, so to be selected has been very surreal for me, I feel very honored,” Perez said. “It acknowledges my hard work and dedication not only as part of the program, but as a woman in the State of Indiana. And on top of that it's acknowledging the communities that I'm a part of – The School of Science, west side of Indianapolis, IPS School District. It’s very sweet that I'm able to share this experience with all those communities around me.”
The Festival Princess Program, created in 1959, pays tribute to Indiana’s most community-oriented and academically accomplished young women, selecting 33 college-aged women as 500 Festival Princesses. Princesses are entrusted as ambassadors for the 500 Festival, and are selected based on communication skills, academic performance, community involvement, commitment to service and leadership.
Each princess is awarded a $1,000 scholarship, and the Queen Scholar earns an additional $1,500 educational scholarship from the 500 Festival Foundation. Other perks include donning the one-of-a-kind 500 Festival Queen Scholar crown and taking part in Indy 500 celebrations.
More profound, though, than the title, or the one-of-a-kind crown, is the impact Perez made servicing her and various Indianapolis communities en route to the prize. For instance, she helped make meals for people in need at Gleaners Community Food Bank, did a lunch service for Wheeler Mission and made trips to Riley Children’s Hospital for their Indy 500 party and prom.
She also had the opportunity to visit her former elementary school to speak on the importance of the education she’s receiving and the 500 Festival Princess Program.
“Not everyone can attend the race or interact with drivers and staff at the IMS, so that's kind of our responsibility to make sure we're bringing this festivity and this feeling of pride and joy to people's homes, communities and neighborhoods,” Perez said.
I love serving as a helping aid...and science adds this distinct way of thinking that I wouldn't have otherwise. I think IU Indianapolis is the best place for that.
Lissania Perez
As for her academic pursuits, Perez knew from an early age she wanted to become a lawyer, but it wasn’t until high school that she truly found her passion for science. Her high school AP chemistry teacher was impressed with her work and suggested she look into careers in the field, particularly as a patent attorney, which requires a technical background. Chemistry fit the bill, and from there a dream was born.
“I love serving as a helping aid, and as much as I could do that as a doctor or nurse or that type of environment, I just feel like becoming an attorney is the way to continue this drive that I have,” Perez said. “A lot of attorneys will do pro-bono work, which is something I’d love to do. And science, it adds this distinct way of thinking that I wouldn't have otherwise. I think IU Indianapolis is the best place for that.”
As someone of Hispanic heritage, Perez is proud to represent her roots, and hopes her successes, both academically and as Queen Scholar, inspire others to pursue opportunities and reach for their goals.
“I know what it’s like to overcome adversities, I know what it’s like to enter a room and feel like you don’t look the same, or talk the same,” she said. “Being named Queen Scholar is like a symbolism to all those—men, women and kids—that coming from a more difficult background or upbringing, or having less means, doesn’t mean we aren’t able to succeed in the same way. I do think we have to work 10-times as hard, but it doesn’t make it impossible.”
