Outstanding Group of 100 Teens Selected from Among Thousands to Take Part in 2019 Disney...

High school students will receive all-expenses-paid trip to Disney to participate in coveted mentoring event in March with Steve Harvey and ESSENCE Magazine


LAKE BUENA VISTA, Fla. (Jan. 14, 2019) –Today, Walt Disney World Resort revealed the 100 extraordinary youths from across the nation who will participate in the 2019 Disney Dreamers Academy with Steve Harvey and ESSENCE Magazine. Each student receives an all-expenses-paid trip to Walt Disney World to participate in an immersive, transformational four-day experience that will take place March 21-24.

The program, now in its 12th year, is an important part of Disney’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.

“These students are in for a life-changing experience,” said Tracey D. Powell, Walt Disney World Resort vice president and Disney Dreamers Academy executive champion. “Our goal is to help them see the unlimited possibilities and to inspire them to achieve their full purpose. To become the heroes of their own stories.”

Participating students, known as “Disney Dreamers,” embark on a journey that takes them throughout the Disney theme parks and behind the scenes of this 40-square-mile vacation destination. Walt Disney World becomes a vibrant classroom where students discover new career opportunities, pursue their dreams and interact with Harvey and other celebrities and motivational speakers. Celebrities who have participated in the past include singers Patti LaBelle and Ne-Yo, NBA legend and business mogul Magic Johnson, gospel music star Yolanda Adams, actor Jussie Smollett, plus TV personalities such as celebrity chef Carla Hall and “Good Morning America’’ co-anchor Michael Strahan.

Additionally, students participate in immersive career-oriented workshops that range from animation to zoology. Each student is also given important life tools such as effective communication techniques, leadership skills and networking strategies.

“Having a dream is one of the most important things in life. My success is a direct result of dreaming big,” said Harvey. “It is my passion to help others dream bigger and to give them the tools to achieve those dreams. That is why I enjoy partnering with Disney on this program every year.”

Since 2008, Walt Disney World Resort has provided all-expenses-paid trips to more than 1,100 students, plus a parent or guardian, to participate in the annual Disney Dreamers Academy. Students are selected from thousands of applicants who answered a series of essay questions about their personal stories and dreams for the future.

“We have a remarkable group of students attending this year,” said Michelle Ebanks, Chief Executive Officer of Essence Communications Inc. “At ESSENCE, we embrace the mission of inspiring the next generation of leaders, and we’re looking forward to partnering with Disney once again to cultivate greatness in the 2019 class.”

For more information, visit DisneyDreamersAcademy.com. Regular updates about Disney Dreamers Academy are also available on social media at Facebook.com/DisneyDreamersAcademy, Twitter.com/DreamersAcademy and Instagram.com/disneydreamersacademy.

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The 100 students selected to participate in the 2019 Disney Dreamers Academy are (listed by state):

First Last City State
Holden Dunlap Abbeville AL
Kendall Moore Mobile AL
Cameron Ware Pinson AL
Hannah Irby Tuscaloosa AL
Hanna Sha Vestavia AL
Pranav Kishore Elk Grove CA
Monica Tavassoli Irvine CA
Zac Adler Long Beach CA
Gerard Legaspi Long Beach CA
Rachel Clinton Manhattan Beach CA
Reagan Smith Oceanside CA
Karina Garcia Ortiz San Diego CA
Jazmine Livian Spreckels CA
Arianna Cabada Tustin CA
Kieran Doolabh Danbury CT
Lauren Taylor Washington DC
Jacqueline Means Wilmington DE
Julia Shepherd Apopka FL
Marlon Griggs Jacksonville FL
Faith Daise Kissimmee FL
Anthony Taylor Miami FL
Jonathan Nabaka Miami Beach FL
Bransyl Boston Middleburg FL
Gabrielle Wright Orlando FL
Jalen Sanders Pinetta FL
Kevant Gross Reddick FL
Kendyll Gabriel Saint Johns FL
Amiah Adams Saint Petersburg FL
Grace Allen Windermere FL
Anthony Juba-Richardson Winter Garden FL
Mary Yeboah College Park GA
Malik Carter Dallas GA
Matthew Jackson Demorest GA
Henry Stephens iv Grovetown GA
April Breedlove Lithonia GA
Benedict Zuzi Loganville GA
Mikaela Sanders Mableton GA
Devan Smith Marietta GA
Makaya Clinton McDonough GA
Caleb Middleton McDonough GA
Patrice Roberts Smyrna GA
Myles Madden Stockbridge GA
Sean Hanford Stone Mountain GA
Alanis Broussard Woodstock GA
Isabel Schwartz Highland Park IL
Yvette Cabrera Portage IN
Akerth Jain Olathe KS
Samantha Gallant Bedford MA
Hannah Goldman Norton MA
Gabrielle Williams Accokeek MD
Iyana Charles Baltimore MD
Mamaie Evonlah Germantown MD
Lauryn Howell Upper Marlboro MD
Ilyna Fontaine Waldorf MD
Elizabeth Bennett Almont MI
Sade Ried Detroit MI
Alyse Dees Burnsville MN
Benjamin Walworth Branson MO
Kevin Neely Ferguson MO
Sabrina Baggstrom Kirkwood MO
Kyra Moody Ruleville MS
Jasmine Bell Charlotte NC
Nasir Turnage Greensboro NC
Nicholas Harvey III Kinston NC
Ashley Ward Wilson NC
Andrew Coates Orange NJ
Emmanuel Lee Teaneck NJ
Roman Jimenez Las Vegas NV
Aileen Nieto Martinez Bronx NY
Alison Parish Bronx NY
Tori Manuel Brooklyn NY
Avaneque Pennant Hollis NY
Meril Mousoom Jamaica NY
Tianna Gonzales Lake Grove NY
Kaiya Simmons Miller Place NY
Katerina Corr New York NY
Eason Rytter New York NY
Kynnedy Smith Cleveland OH
Gabrielle Dennis Toledo OH
Bryson Simpson University Heights OH
Liam McGarry Erie PA
Mason Hedge Freedom PA
Collin Mentzer Lebanon PA
Jacques Moye Pittsburgh PA
Jeffery Feaster Blair SC
Anna Zielke Daniel Island SC
Alyssa Gottheiner Manning SC
Alexis Clark Myrtle Beach SC
Kristen Namminga Avon SD
Jasmine Durham Memphis TN
Ian McKenna Goncalo Austin TX
Lucas Davis Cibolo TX
Frances Rangel El Paso TX
Charlye Jackson Houston TX
Gavin Wiltshire San Antonio TX
Hanah Lopez Schertz TX
Paige Dawson Layton UT
Cristofer O’Brien Chesterfield VA
Sabrina Rittner Lovettsville VA
Piper Vance Nitro WV

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