They’re going to Disney! Twelve Florida high school students, including one from Mount Dora, are among the 100 chosen from around the country to take the “next step toward their future” in the 2025 Disney Dreamers Academy at Walt Disney World.
Students in Houston and Atlanta were surprised with their selection earlier this week, according to a release Thursday, and the rest of the list is now out.
The students will head to Walt Disney World in March for a four-day educational mentorship program, which features celebrities, educators, business executives, community leaders and Disney cast members leading in-depth workshops on how they succeeded in their chosen careers.
Topics can range from animation, journalism and entrepreneurship, to film, STEM, and Walt Disney career opportunities.
Florida had the second-highest number of students selected, after California’s 15.
Alief Taylor High School (Houston, TX) student Jayden Kelly, an aspiring Formula One racing engineer, was surprised with the news of her selection to Disney Dreamers Academy at Walt Disney World Resort in Florida.
“We are thrilled to spark new possibilities and provide these future leaders with the tools they need to chase their dreams,” said Shannon Smith-Conrad, a Walt Disney World Ambassador.
“After 18 years of hosting Disney Dreamers Academy, we continue to be inspired by these teens and their incredible accomplishments.”
Dreamers receive complimentary airfare, hotel accommodations and theme park tickets for each student and one parent or guardian.
Past speakers have included actor and philanthropist Terrence “J” Jenkins, gospel singer Yolanda Adams, former ESPN commentator Stephen A. Smith, Essence magazine Editor-at-Large Mikki Taylor, Chef Jeff Henderson, and many more.
When is Disney Dreamer Academy in 2025?
The event is scheduled on or about March 26-30, 2025, but dates are subject to change.
Which Florida students were chosen for the 2025 Disney Dreamers Academy?
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Arizona Snedden, St Johns, 9th grade
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Ava Hollman, Panama City Beach, 12th grade
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Destiny Jordan, Plantation, 9th grade
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Diongela Therd, Orlando, 9th grade
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Haley Enriquez, Hialeah, 11th grade
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Jasmine Thomas, Apopka, 12th grade
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Kaitlyn Smith, Mount Dora, 11th grade
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Kaylee Pickford, Kissimmee, 11th grade
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Kylie Fuller, Kissimmee, 11th grade
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Somaya Russell, Orlando, 12th grade
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Torrick Pierce, Fort Lauderdale, 12th grade
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Tristan Williams, Coconut Creek, 10th grade
See the full list of the 100 students chosen here.
Disney Dreamers Academy students march down Main Street U.S.A., at Magic Kingdom Park in a celebratory parade to kick off the five-day mentoring event at Walt Disney World Resort in Lake Buena Vista, Florida.
What is Disney Dreamers Academy?
Held since 2008, the Disney Dreamers Academy is a multi-day program held at Walt Disney World where students can connect with business leaders, Disney executives, celebrities and educators in their chosen fields.
“They’ll explore diverse career fields; develop essential skills such as communication, leadership and networking,” the release said. And, of course, enjoy being at Walt Disney World for whatever free time they have.
Any high school students between 13 and 19 years old who are legal residents of the 48 contiguous United States or the District of Columbia were eligible to apply or be nominated.
Each student had to submit two separate essays describing a moment in their life that shaped who they are today and what their dream career is, and answer two questions: Why you want to be a Disney Dreamer, and which Disney story inspires you the most and why.
This article originally appeared on Daily Commercial: Disney Dreamers Academy: Local student chosen for career event