Combs, a Psychology major with a minor in Pan-African Studies, is the vice president of the Caring of New Students Experiencing College Transition (CONECT) Peer Mentoring Program, a Woodford R. Porter Scholar and a Denny Crum Scholar. She is a member and the secretary of the Beta Epsilon Chapter of Alpha Kappa Alpha Sorority. Combs also participated in the medical companion program with the Louisville VA Medical Center, and worked with Global Game Changers Student Empowerment Program. While working two jobs, Combs has successfully maintained a 4.0 GPA for her senior year.

UofL junior Leah Hazelwood, from Lebanon, Kentucky, is also a member on this year’s court. She is dual majoring in Political Science and Liberal Studies with concentrations in Race and Gender Studies, Global Public Health and Economics.

Other members of the court include: Hannah Maria Edelen of Springfield, Kentucky, an honors graduate of Northern Kentucky University and currently a graduate student at UK working on her Masters in ³ÉÈËÖ±²¥ and Policy; Molly Jett of Louisville, a graduate of Bellarmine University and currently an on-air reporter for WMAZ; and Hannah Robb of Louisville, a senior at Bellarmine University studying Business Administration and Marketing.

This year’s court has had an historic reign since being named in 2020. Selected from a pool of more than 100 applicants, they have continued to represent the Festival in many ways and through extraordinary times.

The princesses act as ambassadors for the Derby Festival and the city as they represent the community at a variety of functions which has included virtual and in-person throughout the past year-plus.

Since 1956, the Derby Festival has worked to bring the community together in celebration. 

Combs, a senior majoring in psychology with a minor in Pan-African Studies, is a Porter Scholar and a Denny Crum Scholar who is also active in several campus and community organizations. She is the vice president of the Caring Of New students Experiencing College Transition (Conect) Peer Mentoring Program, participated in the medical companion program with the Louisville VA Medical Center and worked with the Global Game Changers Student Empowerment Program.

Combs, who has maintained a 4.0 GPA, is a member and secretary of the Beta Epsilon Chapter of Alpha Kappa Alpha Sorority Inc.

Hazelwood is a junior dual majoring in political science and liberal studies with concentrations in race and gender studies, global public health and economics. She is a McConnell Scholar, a Harvard Kennedy Public Policy Leadership Scholar, the College of Arts & Sciences vice president and a member of Chi Omega sorority. Hazelwood, who , is also a children’s advocate for the Center for Women and Families.

The Derby Festival Royal Court is chosen from over 100 applicants. Though most events will be different this year to  maintain COVID-19 safety protocols, .

Baker, a 20-year-old junior from Louisville, is majoring in Economics and Finance. She is on the raiseRED executive board, a finance intern at GE Appliances, and community service director of Chi Omega sorority. Baker also volunteers at Gilda’s Club of Louisville, and taught English for a summer in Peru. 

Patillo, a 22-year-old senior from Louisville, majors in Theatre Arts. She is a Benjamin A. Gilman scholarship recipient, a member of the African American Theatre Program, and has been named to the Dean’s List for five consecutive semesters. Patillo is a youth coordinator and advisor for several area churches, as well as a dance instructor for the LaNita Rocknettes School of Dance.

The court also includes Bellarmine student Elizabeth Seewer, University of Kentucky student Allison Spears, and Centre College student Kelsey Sutton. The students will act as ambassadors for the 2019 Kentucky Derby Festival, attending nearly 70 events over a two-week period.

One of the five will be crowned the Derby Festival Queen by a spin-of-the-wheel at the annual Fillies Derby Ball on April 6 at the Louisville Marriot Downtown. Each woman will receive a $2,000 scholarship ($1,000 from the Fillies and $1,000 from the Kentucky Derby Festival Foundation).

Candidates for the Princess Program must maintain a minimum 3.0 grade-point average and are selected by a panel of three out-of-state judges. Criteria for selection includes knowledge of the Derby Festival, poise, intelligence, personality and campus and community involvement. The first Derby Festival Princess was crowned in 1957, the second year of the Festival. 

The Royal Court Program is coordinated by The Fillies Inc., a volunteer group that works closely with the festival. Fillies president Debra Rayman joined KDF president and CEO Mike Berry and 2019 Derby Festival Chair Marita Willis in crowning the court last week.