By Voice-Tribune
Photos provided by: Kathryn Harrington
2024 Kentucky Derby Festival Queen, Ankita Nair, is a third-year medical student at the University of Louisville, where she has made significant strides both academically and in her extracurricular activities. The eldest of three sisters, Ankita embraces her identity as a proud California-Kentuckian, having spent half her life in Louisville, Kentucky, and the other half in Southern California. After graduating from high school in San Diego, she completed her B.S. in Human Biology and Society at UCLA in just three years. During her time at UCLA, Ankita received a robust pre-med and liberal arts education, wrote for the UCLA Daily Bruin, conducted clinical research, engaged with heart attack victims and Holocaust survivors, and advocated for sleep health legislation in Sacramento.
Upon returning to Louisville for medical school, Ankita was thrilled to be back in the city she considers her first home. Her accomplishments include competing in Miss Kentucky as a second-year medical student, serving as Miss University of Louisville, and leading the Medical Spanish Student Organization. Her Miss Kentucky platform, “Let’s Live Kentucky,” focused on promoting preventative health knowledge. In her spare time, Ankita enjoys playing the piano, exploring Louisville’s vibrant restaurant scene, and delving into Kentucky’s rich history.
What motivated you to become a Kentucky Derby Festival Queen contestant?
I grew up watching events like Thunder over Louisville and the Great Balloon Race so I have always enjoyed Kentucky Festival Events and looked up to the people who made them happen. I also loved seeing how the Kentucky Derby Festival brought our community together. Now that I’m older I especially admire that KDF events make Derby season feel more accessible, affordable, and inclusive to everyone. With over 70 events there really is something for everyone. Beyond the glitz and glamour of events like Thunder, the Dillards Fashion Show, and the Fillies Ball, I learned more about KDF’s social and charitable initiatives which aligned with my desire to do more for this city. For example, The Kentucky Derby Festival Foundation puts on several events like Robo Rumble and Justice Fest that benefit hundreds of JCPS kids. The festival also promotes local businesses and hosts events in the West and South neighborhoods like The Block Party and Touring Parade, making the festival inclusive to all in Louisville. I was really motivated to apply because of this opportunity to serve the community in so many meaningful ways and to contribute to a tradition that has given me a lot of joy through the years.
What was your initial reaction when you were crowned Kentucky Derby Festival Queen?
There’s video footage of me during that wheel spin not realizing at first that the wheel spun in my favor. I think it took me a good minute to realize I was picked and then I had the most surreal hour of my life. I was very surprised and excited. Within a few minutes, I was coronated and given all the regalia including a very ornate cloak, pegasus wings, the crown, and a scepter. I knighted quite a few people and was gifted a golden Pegasus necklace from Merkley Kendrick Jewelers. I got to lead the royal procession around the Galt house and pose with the rest of the Royal court in a special photo shoot. It was definitely one of the most amazing things to happen to me.
What responsibilities come with the title, and how do you balance them with your personal life?
The biggest responsibility that comes with being a member of the Kentucky Derby Festival Royal Court is committing to be a role model and dedicated ambassador of Louisville, The Kentucky Derby Festival, the Fillies Inc., and the Commonwealth of Kentucky. It means understanding that everything you do reflects on the community and so you have to embrace being professional, enthusiastic, team-oriented well-spoken, well-dressed, and ready to take on anything that comes your way. You can be asked to do anything from visiting schools and nursing homes to riding a Power Pony hovercraft on live TV. We also attend the 70+ events associated with the Kentucky Derby Festival and several logistical commitments that start in January. All of this is a big commitment to take on and requires proactive planning and time management. Over Derby Season, I completed my psychiatry, OBGYN, and pediatrics rotations and did everything from delivering babies on the night shift, assisting in the operating room, working in the emergency department, and seeing patients in the clinic and at the hospital. I had to balance my Derby commitments with 6-day workweeks, 14-hour call days, and night shifts in addition to studying for my clinical exams. Safe to say it was a lot. But I am so thankful I got to be a Derby Queen and that my school was supportive and allowed me to attend events so long as I made up the time. I am also thankful my friends and family understood that this season would be a busy time. Most importantly, I learned to cultivate gratitude during stressful times and remember how lucky I was to experience all of this.
How has being the Kentucky Derby Festival Queen impacted your personal and professional goals?
This role has helped me understand that I value being an accomplished professional and being involved in my community. It has helped me develop better time management and public speaking skills so I can make both of these goals happen. Going forward, I’d like to be a knowledgeable and compassionate physician for my patients. I could also see myself eventually running for local office and continuing to volunteer with the Kentucky Derby Festival.
What message or legacy do you hope to leave behind as the Kentucky Derby Festival Queen?
No stereotype defines who can be a Kentucky Derby Festival Queen or a Kentucky Derby Festival Princess. I am proud to exemplify that as the first-ever medical student Queen. The skills that helped me shine took practice to refine and I relied on both helping others and people helping me. I hope these insights help others dream bigger about what they can accomplish.
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