High School Students Nationwide Chosen For 2016 Disney Dreamers Academy

Approximately 100 students from across America will soon pack their bags for a fabulous, fun-filled, educational trip to Walt Disney World Resort as part of this year’s Disney Dreamers Academy with Steve Harvey and ESSENCE, March 3—6, 2016.

[Related: Steve Harvey, Essence Magazine and Disney Inspire Future Leaders at Disney Dreamers Academy]

The teens, along with a parent or guardian, will take an all-expense-paid trip to Walt Disney World Resort in Florida, where they will experience a once-in-a-lifetime educational and mentoring program designed to inspire them to dream big and discover a world of possibilities that will help them prepare for their future.

The students will participate in hands-on, immersive career-oriented workshops that range from animation to zoology. Each student is given important tools to help develop effective communication techniques, leadership skills, and networking strategies.

Additionally, Dreamers are exposed to acclaimed motivational speakers and celebrities who share their stories and insight on achieving success and dreaming big. They will also meet renowned entrepreneurs and executives.

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

This year’s students, selected from thousands of applicants who answered a series of essay questions about their personal stories and dreams for the future, were chosen by a judging panel that includes gospel music legend Yolanda Adams; ESSENCE magazine Editor-at-Large Mikki Taylor; education advocate Steve Perry, Ph.D.; The Sister Accord founder and author Sonia Jackson Myles; award-winning motivational speaker Jonathan Sprinkles; Simply Ellis Custom Clothier CEO Alex O. Ellis, Ph.D.; Steve and Marjorie Harvey Foundation Executive Director Brandi Harvey; Steve Harvey Products Creative Director Karli Harvey; and professional speaker and Disney Dreamers Academy alumnus Princeton Parker.

Sprinkles says that he’s involved with Disney Dreamers Academy because he’s a dreamer himself.

“I’m inspired every time I attend a Disney Dreamers Academy,” he says. “Whether it’s the students, the speakers, the celebrities–even the folks that work at Disney. I look at them and get inspired to further the impact of my work. Disney is a special place where special things happen. I’m always inspired to do something better.”

Now in its ninth year, is Disney Dreamers Academy having an impact? Sprinkles says yes, unequivocally.

“Dreamer alums are fulfilling the promise that we saw in them. Some are Disney Dreamer Academy board members. Others have started non-profits or their own businesses.”

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