LOUISVILLE, Ky. — It happens every year, and it’s a sign that the Kentucky Derby is right around the corner.

Each year, five college women have the honor of serving on the Kentucky Derby Festival Royal Court. This year’s queen is Nancy Ngo.

The best and brightest are chosen by the Derby Festival to serve their community and be a part of history. Applicants must maintain a 3.0 while demonstrating academic and civic leadership, but only one can be Queen.

Nancy Ngo, Jimi Porter, Sarah Rhodes, Molly Sullivan and Haven Wolfe all had similar reactions to the news that they were selected as the 2022 princesses. 80 collegiate women applied for the job of a lifetime, but only five received a call after the final interview concluded.

The 2022 Kentucky Derby Festival royal court: (left to right) Nancy Ngo, Molly Sullivan, Haven Wolfe, Sarah Rhodes and Jimi Porter. Download group (KDF/Marvin Young)

Jimi Porter is a senior at the University of Louisville studying Computer Information Systems and Marketing.

“I had to wait for a phone call and that was the biggest part of the day,” Porter recalled.

Haven Wolfe is a sophomore at Northern Kentucky University, triple majoring in Communications Studies, Journalism and Electronic Media and Broadcasting.

“And I answered, and I knew it was from an unknown number. I was like, ‘Mom I think this means I got it, like they wouldn’t call me if I didn’t get it,’” Wolfe said.

Sarah Rhodes is a junior at Northern Kentucky University majoring in nursing.

“Oh, my god, my phone’s ringing, like this is the number, this is the number,” Rhodes said.

Nancy Ngo is a second-year graduate student at the University of Louisville who is studying Public Health with a concentration in Health Policy.

“My first thought was, are you sure? My second thought was, wow that’s amazing, thank you so much,” said Ngo.

There it was—five collegiate women selected for the 2022 royal court and with a spin of a wheel at the Fillies Ball, Nancy Ngo was crowned Queen. Ngo is a proud Asian-America who couldn’t believe the opportunity was hers.

The Royal Court program has been overseen by members of The Fillies, Inc., a nonprofit organization with 250 community volunteers. Each member of the Royal Court receives a $2,000 scholarship, which breaks to $1,000 from the Fillies, and  $1,000 from the Kentucky Derby Festival Foundation.

“Whenever I pictured myself in a pageant, honestly I never really thought about it because I never see anyone that looks like me,” said Ngo. 

It’s a tradition that dates back to 1959 that taps the brightest and best academically and civic-minded. While balancing college, the Royal Court volunteers and attends nearly 70 events leading up to the best two minutes in sports. Ngo said she’s thankful to represent a city of compassion. 

“And I’m just super happy to be part of Louisville because of the way I was able to grow up here and not really worrying about people not accepting me for who I am.” Ngo said. “I was always to just really able to talk to anyone, and they were happy to learn about me.”

Ngo wants to continue representing her community after her Derby stardom. She’s set to finish her Master of Public Health this spring and immediately starts law school at UofL. She said being on the Royal Court has pushed her out of her comfort zone in the best way possible. 

“It not only gives me a social life, but it gives me an opportunity to share all of my ideas with people I usually wouldn’t meet but also to meet my community and see what things they need, what things I can do to make their lives better,” said Ngo.

The Kentucky Derby Royal Festival court will continue their journey to the nearly 70 events they will attend before the first week of may. If you’d like to catch them in their service to the Louisville community, you can follow them on Instagram @DerbyPrincesses.