2015 disney dreamers

This weekend, March 5-8, Walt Disney World Resort will host an exclusive group of high school students for the 2015 Disney Dreamers Academy with Steve Harvey and ESSENCE Magazine. The teens, along with a parent or guardian, received an all-expense-paid trip to Walt Disney World Resort, where they will take part in a once-in-lifetime educational and mentoring program designed to inspire them to dream big, discover a world of possibilities and prepare for their future.

In the magical setting of Walt Disney World Resort, participants – also identified as “Dreamers” – learn important skills such as communication techniques and networking strategies, build confidence and create fun memories to cherish for a lifetime.

During Disney Dreamers Academy, the Walt Disney World theme parks become vibrant “classrooms,” where Dreamers participate in hands-on, full-immersion workshops led by industry experts. Covering a bevy of career paths, ranging from animation to zoology, the workshops do more than expose students to a career choice; they bring to life an opportunity that otherwise might seem distant or impossible.

Each year, motivational speakers, celebrities, entrepreneurs, executives and Disney Cast Members gather at Disney Dreamers Academy to share their stories and provide insight on charting a positive course and achievement.

Year after year, Disney Dreamers Academy continues to help students dream big and achieve those dreams. Entering our eighth year, it is rewarding to hear the success stories of past Dreamers and how the program has inspired them. From starting their own businesses to travelling the world helping others, to serving as inspirational speakers, our Dreamers have already had tremendous success in impacting the world. Once again, we look forward to welcoming yet another group of amazing teens.
Champion Tracey D. Powell, Walt Disney Parks and Resorts Vice President of Deluxe Resorts and Disney Dreamers Academy Executive

Walt Disney World Resort, along with Steve Harvey, syndicated television and radio personality, and ESSENCE Magazine, will host the selected Dreamers during their four-day power packed career and educational exploration.

Harvey, speaking on the program, says, “Disney Dreamers Academy gives hope and inspiration, and exposes youth to a world of possibilities. We are excited about another opportunity to transform lives and give students an inside look at what their future can hold.”

ESSENCE Communications President Michelle Ebanks added, “We are excited about the eighth Disney Dreamers Academy. This program transcends the normal classroom setting, taking learning to the next level. This year, we plan to go above and beyond to encourage Dreamers. Our valued partnership with Disney Parks and Steve Harvey represents our commitment to the leaders of tomorrow.”

This year’s students were selected from nearly 10,000 applicants who answered a series of essay questions about their personal stories, the people who are most influential in their lives and their dreams for the future.

The 2015 Disney Dreamers Academy judging panel included: Powell, Ebanks, Yolanda Adams, gospel music legend; Mikki Taylor, ESSENCE Magazine editor-at-large; Dr. Steve Perry, education advocate; Sonia Jackson Myles, founder and author of The Sister Accord; Jonathan Sprinkles, award-winning motivational speaker; Dr. Alex O. Ellis, Simply Ellis Custom Clothier CEO; Brandi Harvey, corporate and community relations director for the Steve Harvey World Group; Karli Harvey, hair artesian at U Salon in Atlanta and Princeton Parker, Disney Dreamers Academy alumnus.

This accomplished group, along with Terrence J, actor and host of E! News; Stephen A. Smith, broadcaster and sports analyst and Chef Jeff Henderson, celebrity chef and motivational speaker, remains involved in Disney Dreamers Academy throughout the year, serving members of the Speaker Resource Group, Disney Dreamers Academy’s advisory panel and ambassadors.

For more information, visit www.disneydreamersacademy.com. Regular updates about Disney Dreamers Academy are also available on social media at www.facebook.com/disneydreamersacademy or www.twitter.com/dreamersacademy.

The following students have been selected to participate in the 2015 Disney Dreamers Academy with Steve Harvey and ESSENCE Magazine:

First	Last	City	State
Shanesia	Abrams	Birmingham	Ala.
Ta’Shara	Martinestz	Geneva	Ala.
Kaija	Johnson	Carson	Calif.
Kiana	Deane	Culver City	Calif.
Morgan	Buckner	Fairfield	Calif.
Jonathan	Bowers	Gardena	Calif.
Keven	Quach	Rowland Heights	Calif.
Jurnee	Woodward	Vacaville	Calif.
Nylah	Davis	Victorville	Calif.
Brandon	Arnold	Denver	Colo.
Ruvencia	Boyd	Denver	Colo.
Nicole	Steiner	Parker	Colo.
Gary	Avery	Westport	Conn.
Lionell	Wright	Belle Isle	Fla.
Roniesha	Alexander	Green Cove Springs	Fla.
Jelani	Herrington	Jacksonville	Fla.
Regina	Carson	Jasper	Fla.
D’Andre	Ragin	Miami	Fla.
Keno	Tate	Miramar	Fla.
Danyscia	Jarvis	Riverview	Fla.
Alec	Estrill	Tampa	Fla.
Shanese	Campbell	West Park	Fla.
Brandon	Cunningham	Acworth	Ga.
Brandon	Iverson	Atlanta	Ga.
Emily	Hill	Augusta	Ga.
Aunjelica	Hutchinson	Austell	Ga.
Mary-Kate	Billings	Cartersville	Ga.
Jayda	Felder	Grovetown	Ga.
Zachary	Hayes	Jesup	Ga.
Jalia	Carlton-Carew	Lithonia	Ga.
Rodney	Baskerville Jr.	Marietta	Ga.
Torey	Mckissick Jr.	McDonough	Ga.
Caysi	Ingram	Peachtree City	Ga.
Ashley	Tousana	Sandy Springs	Ga.
Thomas	Stewart	Tucker	Ga.
Aakilah	Cameron	Aurora	Ill.
Armani	Young	Chicago	Ill.
Aaliyah	Buck	Decatur	Ill.
Courtney	Commodore	Glenwood	Ill.
Gage	Jackson	Indianapolis	Ind.
Benjamin	Herman	Lexington	Ky.
Brandon	Colbert	Louisville	Ky.
Jacory	Bernard	Lafayette	La.
Tia	Cage	New Orleans	La.
Jodee	Frias	Avon	Mass.
Elizabeth	Nalunga	Waltham	Mass.
Matthew	Heid	Pasadena	Md.
Cydney	Johnson	Upper Marlboro	Md.
Kayla	McDonald	Upper Marlboro	Md.
Silas	Shorter	Dearborn Heights	Mich.
Hasani	Hayden	Wyoming	Mich.
Mikal	Smith	Horn Lake	Miss.
Sadeja	Harper	St. Louis	Mo.
Alexander	Ennis	Charlotte	N.C.
Trejah	Bostic	Laurinburg	N.C.
Nicholas	Bediako	Sanford	N.C.
Kayla	Hargis -White	Burlington	N.J.
Raven	Smith	Carteret	N.J.
Al-Rahmon	Kemp, Jr.	East Orange	N.J.
Elijah	Howard	East Rutherford	N.J.
Jonathan	Johnson	Irvington	N.J.
Tony	Monroe	Mount Laurel	N.J.
Bianca	Benett	Bronx	N.Y.
Terriya	Hanley	Bronx	N.Y.
Terell	Johnson	Bronx	N.Y.
Favour	Anikwue	Brooklyn	N.Y.
Moriah	McDuffie	Brooklyn	N.Y.
Nikki	Distefano	Hampton Bays	N.Y.
Makai	Gumbs-Riley	Queens Village	N.Y.
Audrey	Osudoh	Clayton	Ohio
Karlie	Harper	Stout	Ohio
Jeran	McGill	Muskogee	Okla.
DeMicheal	Robinson	Oklahoma City	Okla.
Miqael	Baylor	Philadelphia	Pa.
Stephanie	Ebbert	Pittsburgh	Pa.
Thomasena	Thomas	Effingham	S.C.
Michael	Witmer	Rock Hill	S.C.
Kourtney	Smith	Taylors	S.C.
Madison	Miller	Jackson	Tenn.
Dontarius	Davis	Memphis	Tenn.
Marshall	Shanks	Memphis	Tenn.
Taja	Guidry	Beaumont	Texas
Mala	Moore	Converse	Texas
Amira	Spikes	Denton	Texas
Destiny	Means	Fresno	Texas
Shenna	Padayao	Keller	Texas
Shaylah	Cooper	Missouri City	Texas
Kennedy	Behling	New Braunfels	Texas
Kaeani	Covington	San Antonio	Texas
Sanah	Jivani	Spring	Texas
Virgil	Thornton II	Hampton	Va.
Taiya	Wheeling	Stafford	Va.
Alicia	Jiggetts	Suffolk	Va.
Sabrina	Belcher	Princeton	W. Va.
Samaria	Hargrave	Tacoma	Wash.
Ross	Cheek	Washington, D.C.
Kevilyn	Frazier	Washington, D.C.
Anthony	Johnson	Washington, D.C.