This year marks the 15^th UofL Medals4Mettle event, which pairs the UofL students with children battling critical illness who are patients of Norton Children’s Cancer Institute, affiliated with the UofL School of Medicine. The students presented medals they earned for running the 13.1-mile mini marathon or 26.2-mile marathon on April 30 to the kids at a socially distanced, outdoor party at the Health Sciences Center Courtyard.

This was the third time that fourth-year medical student David Means has run the KDF miniMarathon in honor of Seth Walsh, a 7-year-old battling leukemia.

“I’ve gotten to see Seth grow year by year,” Means said. “I’ve actually seen him at a UofL game and we’ve done a few other events. Just to meet him and his family and see what a cool family they have – so much support for this little man.”

Walsh has his collection of the medals hanging on his bedpost, said his mother, Michelle.

“It’s a great way for the students to learn what these children are going through, but fun for the children to realize that people are there for them,” she said.

The UofL Medals4Mettle event is part of an Indianapolis-based nonprofit organization that links athletes and critically ill individuals. The pandemic prevented the traditional in-person medal ceremony for the last two years, so students running in 2020 and 2021 sent their medals to the kids with a personal note, connecting virtually over Facetime or Zoom when possible.

This was the third Medals4Mettle run for Madi Harley, a third-year medical student who plans to practice pediatrics. While her buddy was unable to attend Saturday’s medal exchange, she enjoyed the smiling faces of the kids who were there.

“I hope we are able to serve as a bright light for each kid, reminding them they are rock stars and we are rooting for them,” she said.

Louisville-native Ngo is a second-year graduate student studying Public Health with a concentration in Health Policy. She is the current director of Professional Development in the Graduate Student Council, a Trustee’s Scholar, and has earned departmental honors in the Psychology Department for successful defense of her thesis.

Louisville-native Porter is a senior majoring in both Computer Information Systems and Marketing. She is a Woodford R. Porter Scholar, a student worker in the Admissions Office, President’s Office, and Campus Housing Department at UofL, and is heavily involved in extracurriculars such as the Alpha Kappa Alpha Sorority.��

They join Northern Kentucky University students Sarah Rhodes and Haven Wolfe, and University of Kentucky student Molly Sullivan on the five-person court.��

Additionally, Olivia Andrews, a UofL senior from New Albany, Indiana, is a second alternate should one of the princesses be unable to serve. UK junior Lauren Carter is first alternative.��

The Royal Court was selected after attending final judging with 25 other finalist candidates. There were nearly 80 original applicants for the program, representing different colleges and universities from around Kentucky and the region. All the applicants went through preliminary judging in November.

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 9��at The Galt House. 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. Previous Princesses have included former Kentucky Governor Martha Layne Collins and the late Gail Gorski, the first female pilot ever hired by United Airlines.

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 ����ֱ�� 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, .

earned her education master’s degree in college student personnel at UofL before pursuing her doctorate at Kent State, where she has served in many roles including Student Multicultural Center director on her way to becoming the Ohio school’s top student advocate.

She talked about her Louisville educational experience and her reign as 2008 Kentucky Derby Festival queen in a discussion with Louisville Alumni about UofL’s impact on her life.

How has your UofL experience shaped your career or community involvement?

My experiences at the University of Louisville and the city of Louisville, Kentucky, changed my life. I began my career at UofL pursuing my master’s in a field that I loved. I also had the opportunity to meet Dean Mardis and talk to him about his journey to deanship as it was something I was interested in. I appreciated how he showed up as the dean, and that has stuck with me throughout my career. I also had a chance to connect with fantastic faculty, colleagues, classmates and students who I stay in touch with to this day.

I also had the once-in-a-lifetime experience to be the queen of the Kentucky Derby Festival. It was an honor to sit in that seat as the second Black woman to hold that title. I was able to build relationships with the princesses and the Fillies (group that presents the Derby Ball) during that time. Those experiences stick with me to this day.

What program or initiative at UofL would you like to encourage support of?

In the work that I do, and the experiences that I see students go through, I would be remiss not to encourage support of the Louis and Louise W. Weisser Bornwasser Student Emergency Fund. These are very difficult times that our students are experiencing and support to this fund can make a significant impact in the lives of those who are facing challenges.

To read the entire Q&A with Louisville Alumni, check .

Giavanna (Gia) Combs��of Louisville��is a 20-year-old junior at the University of Louisville majoring in psychology with a minor in Pan-African studies. She is a Woodford R. Porter Scholar, Denny Crum Scholar, and a member of Alpha Kappa Alpha Sorority. She also participated in the medical companion program with the��.

Leah Hazelwood of Lebanon��is a 19-year-old sophomore at the University of Louisville dual majoring in political science and liberal studies with concentrations in race & gender studies, global public health and economics. She is a McConnell Scholar, a Harvard Kennedy Public Policy Leadership Scholar, the College of Arts and Sciences Vice President, a member of Chi Omega Sorority, and��a “children’s advocate” for the��.

They join Hannah Maria Edelen, a senior at Northern Kentucky University; Molly Jett, a senior at Bellarmine University; and Hannah Robb, a junior at Bellarmine University.

Additionally, Lexington native Grace Rahman, a UofL post-baccalaureate student entering med school in the fall, was chosen as first alternate.��

As part of the Derby Festival court, these students will act as ambassadors for the 2020 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 4 at The Galt House. Each woman will receive a $2,000 scholarship.

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.��

Photos taken by KDF Official Photographer Marvin Young.��

Patillo, a Louisville native majoring in Theatre Arts, 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. She is a youth coordinator and adviser for several area churches, as well as a dance instructor for the LaNita Rocknettes School of Dance.

The members of the Royal Court have been representing the Festival at a variety of events since their selection in January, including Festival Unveiled, the Ford Motor Company Spelling Bee and Macy’s Spring Fashion Show. They were selected as Royal Court members out of more than 100 young women who applied to participate in the program last fall.

Criteria for selection included knowledge of the Derby Festival, poise, intelligence, personality and campus/community involvement. Each woman receives two $1,000 scholarships (one from the Fillies, Inc., and one from the Kentucky Derby Festival Foundation) and an official wardrobe.

The Princesses act as ambassadors for the Derby Festival and the city as they represent the community at a variety of functions. The Fillies, Inc. was established to support the Kentucky Derby Festival. Their mission is to organize the traditional Fillies Derby Ball, coordinate the “Royal Court Program,” produce the “Children’s Tea” event, and publish the Official Derby Festival Program. Membership is limited to 250 ladies of our community.

The other members of the court include: Mary Baker of Louisville, a junior at the University of Louisville; Elizabeth Seewer of Louisville, who is in her second year of the Doctor of Physical Therapy Program at Bellarmine University; Allison Spears of Catlettsburg, a senior at the University of Kentucky where she is majoring in Neuroscience on the pre-law track; and Kelsey Sutton of Brandenburg, a senior at Centre College majoring in mathematics.

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.��

The princesses earn their spots through high scholastic achievements and dedication to service within the community. The winner of the crown will be determined on April 14 by a spin-of-the-wheel at the annual Fillies Derby Ball.

Dunaway, from Leitchfield, Kentucky, decided to attend UofL’s College of Business because of the accomplished professors and networking opportunities. She��serves as chairman of Outreach in the College of Business Student Council and is active in the community, volunteering at Portland Elementary and Adopt-A-Highway.

UofLNews had the chance to talk to Dunaway about why she embarked on this journey and the process of becoming a princess:��

UofLNews: What has been your fondest moment so far at UofL?����

Dunaway:��I have met so many great people that my college experience would be incomplete without. One of my fondest moments was spring semester of 2017, I was selected out of my business communications class to compete in the Northwestern Mutual Annual Fast Pitch Speech Competition. I was honored just to be selected to compete and be able to talk about my study abroad experience in Austria, I was so shocked and ecstatic when I won. I am looking forward to judging this year’s competition in March.

UofLNews: Why did you choose to embark on this journey and become a KDF princess?����

Dunaway: I choose to partake in the application process because I saw all the exciting events past princesses got to be a part of. Specifically, Sidney Cobb and Natalie Brown. These ladies represented UofL and the festival with utmost respect, and I wanted to have that opportunity as well. The other princesses grew up in Louisville and have always known about this opportunity and wanted to be a part of it. My connection with this program is unique because I am the first princess from my county and I have fallen in love with the Kentucky Derby Festival events and opportunities so quickly.

UofLNews: What��are��your��favorite things about the process?����

Dunaway: The Kentucky Derby Festival and The Fillies truly do treat us like royalty. I am so honored to take part in literally every festival event, knowing I’ll never be able to experience so many of these events again. It’s so exciting to go in public and see the excitement on kids faces when they see us, I will never get tired of kids asking to take pictures with us or asking for our autographs. I am so grateful for the networking opportunity and the so many amazing people we have gotten to meet. I know the other princesses and I have made a bond that will last forever.

UofLNews: What surprised you about the process?��

Dunaway: I had no idea how many people were involved in the selection process and how many women in the Fillies organization spend countless hours reaching out to sponsors and accompanying us to events. I knew that the spring was going to be a busy season for me taking 16 hours this semester, working part-time downtown for my internship, and having to attend over 75 festival events. I’m sure I will be exhausted by the time the Derby is over, but I am so excited to experience all these events in so little time.

UofLNews: What is next for you as a KDF Princess?��

Dunaway: We have several events that we will be attending in February, but the festival really kicks off on March 1 with Festival Unveil.��I am really looking forward to this event because it a celebration that the whole community can be a part of. After being named as a princess, the festival queen will be selected at the Fillies Ball on April 14. Many people are unaware that this is a random selection. All five princesses have an equal chance at being named queen based on a spin of the wheel.��

UofLNews: How do you want to change the world?��

Dunaway: I’m so passionate about this world that we live in and I love learning about all the different cultures, customs and religions that inhabit it. It’s crazy how small things have impacted me throughout my life, and I hope that I have the same impact on others. I’ve always believed that a generous smile can change someone’s day, and it’s something I love to see no matter where I travel. I hope one day the world will be more accepting and understanding of others’ situations, including myself. You will find a new level of hospitality and respect within yourself once negative judgments are eliminated and differences are not only expected, but welcomed in to your life.

UofLNews: What is your favorite book?��

Dunaway: It’s so hard to pick just one. The book that has probably impacted me the most directly is, “Purpose Driven Life” by Max Warren. This is such a popular book that I was against reading for so long until my dad basically threw it at me and told me to figure it out. I highly encourage it for anyone who has no idea where their life is going, and for people who think they have it all together.

UofLNews: Favorite restaurant in Louisville?����

Dunaway: This is such a tough question for a girl who loves to eat. Right now I am on a Royal’s Hot Chicken binge — their apple pies are a must for anyone who goes. I also really like The Post, Guaca Mole and Toast on Market.

UofLNews: Do you have any advice for incoming students?����

Dunaway: I promise it may not always feel like it, but these four years fly by so fast and they really are some of the best times you will ever have. Never wish these years away but have a plan for when it ends. I think the most important thing I could recommend is to stand strong in what you believe it. At so many points, your morals and beliefs will be tested, and even though sometimes your views will change, it is so important to be yourself and believe in your values. Don’t let your identity falter for others, but surround yourself with organizations and activities that encourage you to be the best you possible. Remember that your time here is not a right but a privilege, but you can always make it fun.

UofLNews: What drives/motivates you to��get involved and work hard?����

Dunaway: I am so lucky to come from such an amazing family that supports me in everything I do. My mom and sister are both extremely accomplished engineers, and my dad is one of the most-loved influencers in my hometown. For so long I felt as if I had to live up to their standards, but they have never pushed me to be anything I didn’t want to be. They would be thrilled wherever I landed in life as long as I’m happy. I however, have big dreams for myself, and having friends and family that believe in me and truly want to see me be successful is the greatest support I can have.

UofLNews: What are your plans��after graduation?��

Dunaway: Upon graduation I hope to pursue a masters in international business in Boston. Since I will be graduating a semester early, I plan to return to Europe and travel until my program begins. Eventually, I would like to work in consulting in an international banking firm and pursue a PhD in management.