Outstanding group of 100 teens selected from among thousands for the 2020 Disney Dreamers Academy, an all-expenses-paid mentoring experience of a lifetime
LAKE BUENA VISTA, Fla. (Jan. 16, 2020) – Today, Walt Disney World Resort revealed the 100extraordinary high school students from across the nation who will participate in the 2020 Disney Dreamers Academy with Steve Harvey and ESSENCE Magazine. Each student receives an all-expenses-paid trip to Walt Disney World to participate in the immersive, transformational four-day experience that will take place March 12-15.
To celebrate the students’ selection, ABC’s Good Morning America surprised one member of the new 2020 class, Myah Mitchell of Cambria Heights, NY, by showing up at her school this morning to tell her the news. The full list of students is available at www.DisneyDreamersAcademy.com.
The program, now in its 13th year, is a part of Walt Disney World’s commitment to helping the next generation of young people by inspiring them at a critical time in their development. The Disney Dreamers Academy theme is “Be100,” encouraging teens to be positive, to be “all in” and to carry what they learn back with them so they can relentlessly pursue their dreams and make a difference in the lives of others.
“After 12 successful years, we know the profound impact this program has on these students,” said Tracey D. Powell, Walt Disney World Resort vice president and Disney Dreamers Academy executive champion. “One dream can change the world, and through Disney Dreamers Academy we hope to help these amazing teens turn their dreams into reality.”
Participating students, known as “Disney Dreamers,” embark on a journey throughout the Walt Disney World theme parks and behind the scenes of this 40-square-mile vacation destination. It’s a vibrant classroom where students discover new career opportunities, pursue their dreams, and interact with Harvey and other celebrities and motivational speakers. Past celebrity participants have included singer NE-YO, NBA legend and business mogul Magic Johnson, the star of the Disney’s upcoming live-action “Little Mermaid” Halle Bailey, gospel music star Yolanda Adams, and personalities and cast members from across the Disney corporate family including “Good Morning America’’, ESPN, Disney Channel, the TV series black-ish and grow-ish.
Students participate in immersive career-oriented workshops that explore a wide range of career disciplines found at Walt Disney World, learning life tools such as effective communication techniques, leadership skills and networking strategies.
“I know from personal experience that big dreams lead to big success,” said Harvey. “Disney understands that concept better than any other company and that is why I partner with them every year on this program to encourage big dreams for the next generation.”
Since 2008, Walt Disney World Resort has provided all-expenses-paid trips to more than 1,200 students, plus a parent or guardian, to participate in the annual Disney Dreamers Academy. Students are selected from thousands of applicants who answered essay questions about their personal stories and dreams for the future.
“Meeting the 100 impressive students selected for Disney Dreamers Academy each year is a personal highlight for me,” said Michelle Ebanks, Chief Executive Officer of Essence Communications Inc. “I am continually amazed by their ambition, talent and perseverance. Partnering with Disney on this program is an opportunity to carry out our ongoing mission to inspire, inform and empower.”
For more information, visit DisneyDreamersAcademy.com. Regular updates about Disney Dreamers Academy are also available on social media at Facebook.com/DisneyDreamersAcademy, Twitter.com/DreamersAcademyandInstagram.com/disneydreamersacademy.
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The 100 students selected to participate in the 2020 Disney Dreamers Academy are (listed by state):
| First Name | Last Name | City | State |
| Landon | Humphrey | Clovis | CA |
| Kamila | Kaloyan | Coronado | CA |
| Lydia | Kim | Cypress | CA |
| Makayla | Gubbay | Encinitas | CA |
| Audrey | Hoven | Fort Irwin | CA |
| Michael | McPhie | Irvine | CA |
| Taylor | Haywood | Los Angeles | CA |
| Nicole | Munoz | Pacific Grove | CA |
| Bridget | Darrah | Sacramento | CA |
| Yakari | Jackson | Sacramento | CA |
| Blain | Engeda | San Leandro | CA |
| DAndre | Jorge | San Marcos | CA |
| Sydney | Vaughn | Sunnyvale | CA |
| Micah | Norton | Berthoud | CO |
| Makenna | Turner | Lafayette | CO |
| Cassidy | Wilson | Oxford | CT |
| Nicole | Hemphill | Newark | DE |
| Estefania | Alcala | Belle Glade | FL |
| Jonathan | Williams | Boca Raton | FL |
| Zachariah | John | Boynton Beach | FL |
| Jonathan | Shelton | Jacksonville | FL |
| David | Daise | Kissimmee | FL |
| Rouri | Hall | Lauderhill | FL |
| Emma | Moise | Miami | FL |
| Simone | Till | St Petersburg | FL |
| Nia | Marshall | Williston | FL |
| Deesha | Panchal | Acworth | GA |
| Zaria | Walker | Buford | GA |
| Imani | Gunnison | Conyers | GA |
| Matthew | Chisholm | Cumming | GA |
| Anudeepa | Ramachandiran | Duluth | GA |
| Ashalah | Wright | Fairburn | GA |
| Ketsia | Alberto | Jonesboro | GA |
| Genesis | Weever | Lithonia | GA |
| Joseph | Adams | Marietta | GA |
| Adonna | McBride | McDonough | GA |
| Cleveland | Newton | Pooler | GA |
| Aaliyah | Phillips | Sharpsburg | GA |
| Ceci | Smith | Statesboro | GA |
| Patric | Boyd | Stone Mountain | GA |
| Caitlyn | Carter | Valdosta | GA |
| Jeremiah | Lewis | Chicago | IL |
| Jaden | Maloney | Chicago | IL |
| Kennedy | Crye | Joliet | IL |
| Mary Catherine | Hanafeelaplante | Mount Prospect | IL |
| Ariyana | Irving | Gary | IN |
| Brylee | Huber | Burlington | KS |
| Britney | Doan | Junction City | KS |
| Kaniya | Harris | Louisville | KY |
| Erica | McPheeters | Louisville | KY |
| Joshua | Koch | Paris | KY |
| Jarius | Gipson | New Orleans | LA |
| Morgan | Lance | Littleton | MA |
| Caroline | Curran | Pocasset | MA |
| Caitlyn | Lynch | Hyattsville | MD |
| Alexander | Spiller | Detroit | MI |
| Maria | Cheriyan | Farmington Hills | MI |
| Nylah | Dobson | Southfield | MI |
| Kaelynn | Gore | Florissant | MO |
| Ethan | Alsup | Hamilton | MS |
| Abby | Waters | Casar | NC |
| Morgan | Wright | Fayetteville | NC |
| Ivanya | Johnson | Kinston | NC |
| Brynna | Miller | Monroe | NC |
| Reagan | Razon | Morrisville | NC |
| Sterling | Thomas | Riegelwood | NC |
| Timothy | Hoffman | Norfolk | NE |
| Aisling | Smith | Auburn | NH |
| Jessica | Carscadden | Chester | NH |
| Grace | Lunney | Newmarket | NH |
| Sydney | Cobb | East Windsor | NJ |
| Sadie | Munoz | Maplewood | NJ |
| Fatoumata | Soumare | Brooklyn | NY |
| Myah | Mitchell | Cambria Heights | NY |
| Matthew | Roberson | Chittenango | NY |
| Hannah | Tuso | Livingston Manor | NY |
| Danielle | Phillip | Valley Stream | NY |
| Claire | Martin | Lakewood | OH |
| Trinity | Marsh | Lyndhurst | OH |
| Taria | Clay | Springfield | OH |
| Belise | Nishimwe | Portland | OR |
| Caroline | Gray | Bath | PA |
| Conor | Amendola | Erie | PA |
| Ajae | Richardson | Norristown | PA |
| Mikayla | Merin | Philadelphia | PA |
| David | Jackson | Columbia | SC |
| Hannah | Rutland | Ridgeway | SC |
| Korrie | Jolivet | Beaumont | TX |
| Nevaeh | Deleon | Houston | TX |
| Kaila | Simmons | McKinney | TX |
| Theodore | Mielke | Prosper | TX |
| Keshav | Vasanth | Richardson | TX |
| Aralyn | Hilliard | San Antonio | TX |
| Amari | Mealy | Alexandria | VA |
| Esha | Venkat | Ashburn | VA |
| Azaria | Cherry | Norfolk | VA |
| Kailin | Frye | Woodbridge | VA |
| Gabrielle | Ragsdale | Orting | WA |
| Emily | Rinick | Cross Lanes | WV |
| Gabriel | Adams | Elizabeth | WV |
About Walt Disney World Resort/The Walt Disney Co.:
Walt Disney World Resort is a contiguous 40-square-mile, world-class entertainment and recreation center located at Lake Buena Vista, Fla., 20 miles southwest of Orlando. The Walt Disney Co. has a rich legacy of creativity and exceptional storytelling that brings families together in unique and memorable ways. Creative excellence is coupled with a strong commitment to community service and diversity. The Walt Disney Co. is dedicated to making a positive impact in communities around the world, with a primary focus on brightening the lives of children.
About Steve Harvey:
Harvey is an author, actor, producer and comedian. He is the host of the nationally syndicated radio program, “Steve Harvey Morning Show” as well as host and executive producer of multiple television shows including “Family Feud,” and “Celebrity Family Feud.”
About ESSENCE Communications Inc.:
ESSENCE Communications Inc. (ECI) is the #1 media company dedicated to African-American women, with a multi-platform presence in publishing, live events and online. The company’s flagship publication, ESSENCE magazine, is the preeminent lifestyle magazine for African-American women; generating brand extensions such as the ESSENCE Festival, ESSENCE Black Women in Hollywood and Black Women in Music, Window on Our Women and Smart Beauty consumer insights series, ESSENCE.com, and ventures in digital media (mobile, television and VOD). For 45 years, ESSENCE, which has a brand reach of 14.1 million, has been the leading source of cutting-edge information and specific solutions relating to every area of African-American women’s lives. Additional information about ECI and ESSENCE is available at www.essence.com.
Media Contacts:
Walt Disney World Resort
Annette Gibbs, Public Relations Manager
Annette.Gibbs@disney.com
(407) 566-5337
TJM Communications, Inc.
Joel Kaiman, joel@tjmcommunications.com
(352) 262-3457 or (407) 977-5004
Katie Neumann, katie@tjmcommunications.com
(407) 977-5004