The saying used to be “Queen for a Day,” but for Amanda Thayer it has been princess for a month, the month of May. For many Hoosiers the month of May means 500 mile race activities.

Since Thayer was selected as an Indianapolis 500 Festival Princess she’s kept a busy schedule attending many race associated activities.

The daughter of Jean Durbin-Thayer and granddaughter of David and JoEllen Durbin, formerly of Rushville and part of the Durbin Hotel family, Amanda was selected as one of this year’s 500 Festival Princesses and is serving as an ambassador for the Indianapolis 500 and the 500 Festival.

“Fuel the Dream” is the theme for this year’s Indianapolis 500 Festival. Some of the events Amanda has participated in or attended include visiting schools; Make a Wish Night at the Indianapolis Ice game; visiting children at Riley, Methodist, and Peyton Manning’s Children’s hospitals; a St. Patrick’s Day parade; IMS Night at a Pacers game; 500 Festival Training Series; Purdue’s Grand Prix; Be Sweet to Your Teeth, Dental Hygiene Month at St. Simon; Walk a Thon, Our Lady of Mt. Carmel; dance marathon at the University of Indianapolis for Riley Hospital; Indianapolis Motor Speedway Media Tour, fan tour bus; 500 Festival Training Series; Indianapolis 500 Preview Party; One America 500 Festival Mini-Marathon; Pole Day and Volunteer Appreciation Day at the track.

Outreaches which she planned are school visits, Habitat for Humanity of Hamilton County and baking cookies with residents at Marquette Manor.

Other 500 Festival events included or will include the 500 Festival Breakfast at the Brickyard by ProLiance Energy; Chase 500 Festival Kid’s Day & Rookie Run; American Family Insurance – 500 Festival Community Day; 500 Festival Memorial Service presented by Rolls Royce; IPL 500 Festival Parade; Regions 500 Festival Snakepit Ball; and the 92nd running of the Indianapolis 500 mile race.

Thayer is one of 33 young women selected for this honor. Selection was based on communication skills, poise, academic performance and community and volunteer involvement. Karle Schaefer of Franklin was selected as the 2008 500 Festival Queen and was crowned May 17 during the 500 Festival Breakfast at the Brickyard at the Indianapolis Motor Speedway.

Twelve Indiana colleges and universities and 20 Hoosier cities and towns are represented by this year’s Festival Princesses.

Amanda attended Scecina Memorial High School in Indianapolis. She was salutatorian of the Class of 2003 and recently graduated from Purdue University in May 2008 with a degree in Health Promotions. She served as vice chairman of College Republicans for Purdue University this year.

She is an enthusiastic fan of Peyton Manning and the Indianapolis Colts.

Jan Voiles can be contacted at jan.voiles@rushvillerepublican.com or at (765) 932-2222 ext. 107. Add a comment to this story at www.rushvillerepublican.com.