Orlando, Florida (Monday, April 8, 2024) – How do you improve on a week filled with magical moments, eye popping thrills, and wisdom inspired by some of the most brilliant minds in the world? 100 high school youth from around the country say they are ready to build on their 4-day experience at the 2024 Disney Dreamers Academy and take their new found knowledge and experiences back to their respective communities.
The 100 students, including six from the DC area, took part in the 17th Annual Disney Dreamers Academy at the Walt Disney Resort in Florida from April 3rd – April 7th. They were selected from thousands who wrote in about their personal stories and dreams for the future. While the trip was filled with all the fun and excitement Disney has to offer, it was also packed with serious moments of reflections, character building, and hopes of crafting a brighter tomorrow.
The students, ages 13 to 19, heard from celebrities like “Shark Tank” Investor and Businessman Daymond John who shared his story of being dyslectic and the challenges he faced trying to start a business from the ground up. Rising television star Dara Renee revealed her struggles with “imposter syndrome,” often feeling inadequate and not enough while in front and behind the camera. The candid testimonies from John and Renee were part of the fuel to help inspire the youth who came with open minds to absorb the myriad of information stuffed in 4 days of workshops, seminars, roundtable discussions, parades, and one-on-one sessions.
WHUR’s very own Bobby Gailes, host of “Taking It to the Streets” and producer of the “Steve Harvey Morning Show” spotlighted many of the Dreamers as they experienced countless impactful moments, especially those from the DMV asking how they plan to pay their experiences of a lifetime forward.
Renee, best known for playing Kourtney in the Disney+ original series “High School Musical: The Musical: The Series,” is the Disney Dreamer’s Academy “DREAMbassador. In that role, she serves as mentor and advocate for the students.
The students have aspirations of becoming doctors, lawyers, scientists, social justice activists, business owners, President of the United States, educators, and so much more. Other notable speakers at the Dreamers Academy included Dr. Johnette Cole, an anthropologist, educator, author, museum director and the first Black female president of Spelman College. Dr. Cole told the students she was inspired by their stories and visions. The 87-year-old also encouraged them to “dream bigger than your dreams.”