Last Updated on December 29, 2024 by Kimberly Stroh
Earlier this month, I was blessed with the opportunity to attend Disney Social Media Moms Conference in Atlanta. I listened to a presentation about the Disney Dreamers Academy. As someone who knew nothing about the program, it was fascinating to hear the inspiring stories directly from several alumni. Find out how your high school student can apply to the Disney Dreamers Academy Class of 2018 and what it means to be selected.
The Disney Dreamers Academy: Accepting 2019 Applications
The Academy is an outside-the-classroom program that inspires innovation and creativity through mentoring. It’s held in March at Walt Disney World Resort, in Florida, and 100 deserving high school students are selected to attend. For over a decade, the program has been fueling dreams of young minds and showing them that there’s a world of possibilities ahead. Each year, students participate in hands-on, immersive career workshops, ranging from animation to zoology.
Each participant learns important skills, such as communication techniques, leadership qualities and networking strategies, and are inspired by celebrity speakers and special guests who share their stories and provide insight on how to achieve success and DREAM BIG.
They even offer workshops for parents, because it’s important we learn how to foster and support young bright minds.
©Disney, Todd Anderson, photographer
The Success Stories
The success stories that I heard, straight from the Alumni, were amazing. The program has inspired career choices like authors, nurses, pilots, doctors, journalists and engineers.
Alumni Jordan Williams, 19 from Atlanta, GA, spoke about the Disney Dreamers Academy and how it molded him as a young entrepreneur. He said the program helped him find self-awareness and discover his true passions, plus build a strong network. He created Young Moguls Brand, an urban clothing line that promotes positivity through trendy wear.
©Disney, Todd Anderson, photographer
How to Apply to the Academy
High school students nationwide can apply now through October 31st, online at DisneyDreamersAcademy.com. It’s a three-day all-expenses-paid experience at Walt Disney World Resort. “By applying for Disney Dreamers Academy, future leaders of this country are taking a step toward an experience that can change their lives.” says Tracey D. Powell, Walt Disney World vice president of commercial management resorts and Disney Dreamers Academy executive champion.
Program applicants must answer essay questions about their personal journeys and dreams for the future. Students are selected based on a combination of attributes, including strong character, positive attitude and determination to achieve their dreams. Selected applicants, along with a parent or guardian, will receive an all-expense-paid trip to Walt Disney World Resort.
At the conference, Alumni shared tips on how to apply. They all agreed that applicants should be transparent and put their emotions on paper.
Disney Dreamers Academy Will Be March 21 to March 24, 2019 at Walt Disney World Resort
Applications are open to U.S. high school students, ages 13 to 19, through Oct. 31, 2018. A distinguished panel of leaders will evaluate the applications, and selected participants will be announced in early 2018.
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