Walt Disney World Resort and Steve Harvey Inspire Teens Through Disney’s Dreamers Academy 2010 Class
LAKE BUENA VISTA, Fla., Nov. 19 /PRNewswire/ — Walt Disney World Resort, in partnership with nationally syndicated radio personality Steve Harvey, announced its selection of 100 nationwide high school students to participate in the Disney’s Dreamers Academy of 2010. Selected students and a guardian will be given unprecedented access to the magic behind Walt Disney World Resort. As part of their experience this group of dreamers will participate in interactive workshops focusing on a variety of subjects including Walt Disney Imagineering techniques, entertainment, the business of sports, culinary arts, and more. Disney cast members, executives and celebrities will share their blueprints for success. Participants will also explore Disney’s theme parks and then end their special weekend with a graduation ceremony where a special guest will deliver a motivational address. The program will take place February 11-14, 2010, during national Black History Month.
(Photo: http://www.newscom.com/cgi-bin/prnh/20091119/AQ14291)
“This year Walt Disney World is celebrating the volunteer spirit of families throughout the country; and the 2010 Disney’s Dreamers Academy, With Steve Harvey is about more than just motivating students to follow their own dreams, ” said Tracy Walters, Disney Marketing Executive. “We hope to inspire these young adults to take what they learn back to their communities and help others realize their dreams.”
In conjunction with The Steve Harvey Morning Show, Walt Disney World conducted the Dreamer’s Contest to identify the participants, grades 9-12, in Disney’s Dreamers Academy. This program was created for high school students who show promise – but may need additional motivational support to excel. However, all of the selected students share a trait: the power to DREAM. Parents, teachers, school administrators, church groups and even the students themselves nominated thousands of aspiring dreamers from across the nation for the program.
“Each year we strive to find young people who may have a will or passion, but may not have the courage to explore their dreams,” said Harvey. “So we hope to unlock the power that will allow them to pursue their hearts desires. Walt Disney World and I both are excited to be a part of these young dreamers experience that will encourage them to bring their dreams to life.”
Participants in this year’s Disney’s Dreamers Academy class were selected by a distinguished panel of judges including: Harvey; Rushion McDonald (executive producer of the Steve Harvey Morning Show); Jasmine Guy (Actress, Singer & Dancer), Sherry Paramore (Executive Director, UNCF), Rilous Carter (VP, Disney’s Hollywood Studios); Walters (Director, Theme Parks & Resorts Pricing / Executive Spokesperson); Nicole Ari Parker Kodjoe (Actress/Former Model); Eduardo Correia (Director, Multicultural Marketing Eastman Kodak Company); Cassi Davis (Actress, “Tyler Perry’s House of Payne”); Carla Willis (VP, Community Relations, Florida A&M University); Will Packer (Film Producer, Co-Founder & Chairman of Rainforest Films); Stephen A. Smith (Sports Writer & Media Personality); Tracy Brown (Editor, Features/Family/Education at Atlanta Journal Constitution).
Disney’s Dreamer Academy, With Steve Harvey was launched in 2007. For more information visit http://steveharvey.com/disneysdreamersacademy/.
The magic begins…
The complete list of 100 teens selected to
participate in Disney's Dreamers Academy **
NAME CITY STATE
Howard Andrews New Ellenton SC
Ashley Arkhurst Liverpool NY
Reginald Ayala Detroit MI
Omotayo Balogun Tinley Park IL
Angela Birt Brooklyn NY
Robert Blakey Suitland MD
Jamila Bonner Accokeek MD
Chase Book Plantation FL
Nicholas Bradley Chicago IL
Tiana Brooks Newark NJ
Shanece Brown Cambria Hts NY
LaTrevia Burnette Ft Worth TX
Taylor Butler Norwalk CA
Allison Butler Lutz FL
Morgan Cager Memphis TN
Lauren Chamberlain Lakewood CA
Cecily Charles Pearland TX
Morrissa Clement Greenville SC
NaJarae Cooper Sicklerville NJ
Nicole Cunningham Simpsonville SC
Andreniki Dawson Jacksonville FL
Kiara Dixon Alabaster AL
Edmund Dyson Leesburg GA
DiKembe Ester Lithonia GA
Deanna Evans Fairmont NC
Jada Fersner Orangeburg SC
Elexis Fletcher Spring Hill TN
Reggionne Franklin New Orleans LA
Ashley Geiger Columbia SC
Dominique Giles Stafford VA
Naja Goodwin Bridgeport CT
Angela Graham Philadelphia PA
Carmalyn Grant Jacksonville FL
Anissa Gunn Birmingham AL
Jamie Guy Memphis TN
Dalonte Hall Southfield MI
Erik Hamlet Parkville MD
Okneca Hamptonie Tacoma WA
David Harris St Petersburg FL
Christina Harris Tampa FL
Dontez Hazzard Adamsville AL
Adreanna Henderson Lexington KY
Brian Hinds Brooklyn NY
Graig Hunter Alexandria VA
Kyla Hunter Brooklyn NY
DeJa Jackson Jacksonville FL
Brooke Jackson Winter Park FL
Savannah Jackson Norman OK
Lehman Jernigan Norfolk VA
Christopher Johnson Charlotte NC
Ebony Johnson Fayetteville NC
Thomas Johnson Princeton NJ
Malcolm Johnson Los Angeles CA
Brooklyn Jones Harpersville AL
Tamecia Jones Nashville TN
Ebony Killingsworth Miami Gardens FL
Nyomi Louis-Jean Milwaukee WI
Lasean Lyles Jr Chicago IL
Tamber Manigault Huger SC
Dejanay McCauley Stone Mountain GA
Quincy McCray Hampton VA
Brandon McCulloch Concord NC
Joshua Mendez Port St John FL
Montresa Milford Opelika AL
Dominique Moore Southfield MI
Raven Murphy Waldorf MD
Michael Owens Washington DC
Anthony Oxendine Sumter SC
Marcus Palmer Hampton VA
Keri Parker New Orleans LA
Jordan Randles Lilburn GA
Aaron Robinson Acworth GA
Faasha Royal Raleigh NC
Lashawnda Sanderson Lincoln Park MI
Sierra Scales Wilmington DE
Jada Scott Ft Washington MD
Dellan Sellers Lanham MD
Nicolas Simms Duluth GA
Brianna Smith Birmingham AL
Lindsay Smith-Isreal Silver Spring MD
Deshawn Stewart Norfolk VA
Yancey Styles Clement FL
Ruben Thomas Lutz FL
Sharron Townsend Hershey PA
Ashley Tucker Moyock NC
Briana Vannoy Stone Mountain GA
Dorrien Waiters Palmetto FL
Asia Wakefield Memphis TN
Tatiana Ward Carrollton GA
Keon Ward Sharon Hill PA
Johnquetta Webb Hendersonville TN
Nicole White Milwaukee WI
Dianna Whiteside South Riding VA
Tobias Whitley Upper Marlboro MD
Qoren Williams Stallings NC
Jasmine Williams Philadelphia PA
Kalisia Winkey Chester VA
Charmaine Woody Macon GA
Jenelle Young N Lauderdale FL
Dennis Young Jr Spring City PA
** Participation is subject to verification and return of
the required documentation
SOURCE Walt Disney World Resort