Disney’s Dreamers Academy Attendance Jumps in 2011; More than 100 Teens Going to Walt Disney World Resort March 3-6

Disney's Dreamers Academy Attendance Jumps in 2011; More than 100 Teens Going to Walt Disney World Resort March 3-6

The 2011 Disney’s Dreamers Academy with Steve Harvey and Essence Magazine continues a mission to annually bring together 100 high school students who want to ignite their lives, dreams and passions. However, the March 3-6 event at Walt Disney World Resort also will serve as a “make-up class” for 13 teens selected for the 2010 Academy which they were unable to attend due to winter-weather travel cancellations.

Combined with 100 high school students from 22 states and the District of Columbia selected for 2011, the class register this year will have 113 names on it, making it the largest in the four years of the program.

The program also has grown in other ways, including the participation of Essence Magazine for the first time.


Essence Communications President Michelle Ebanks said, “Essence is closely aligned with Disney and Steve Harvey in supporting the mission of Disney’s Dreamers Academy and its commitment to positively impacting our youth. Disney’s Dreamers Academy is helping teens take steps in the right direction, and we want to be right there with the students, both encouraging them and sharing their stories.”

Tracey Walters-Powell, executive champion of the program for Disney Parks & Resorts, said, “Disney’s Dreamers Academy is a perfect platform to further the goal, shared by Disney Parks, Essence Communications and – it goes without saying – by Steve Harvey, to inspire children. We are genuinely excited about the possibilities ahead.”

It will be a watershed year as the students, selected from among thousands of applicants across the country, embark on customized itineraries based on their individual interests and aspirations. During hands-on experiences, they will explore a world of career options — from animation, through entrepreneurship, to zoology. They’ll be engaged with motivational speakers, Disney experts and celebrities — each with a special talent and an individual life story.

Participants for the 2011 Disney’s Dreamers Academy class were selected by a distinguished panel of judges including: Steve Harvey; Yolanda Adams (Gospel Music Legend); Angela Burt-Murray (former editor-in-chief, Essence Magazine); Dr. Steve Perry (Education Advocate and CNN commentator); Dalonte Hall (DDA Dreamer, Class of 2010); Terrence J (MTV Personality); Carole Munroe (Director of Media Relations, Disney Parks & Resorts); Tracey Powell (Director of Pricing, Disney Parks & Resorts); Stella Ringer (Marketing Manager, The Coca-Cola Company); Lorraine Robertson (Blogger) and Stephen A. Smith (Broadcaster/Sports Analyst).mong the celebrities for the 2011 Dreamers Academy is musical and theatrical talent, including Raven Simone, Ruben Studdard and Cupid.

“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.” Harvey said. “So we hope to unlock the power that will allow them to pursue their hearts’ desires. Walt Disney World, Essence Magazine and I are excited to be a part of these young Dreamers’ experience that will encourage them to bring their dreams to life.”

Disney’s Dreamers Academy is designed so that the teens can be inspired, discover possibilities and prepare for their future. For additional information, visit www.disneysdreamersacademy.com.

Media Contacts:
Annette Gibbs
Walt Disney World Public Relations
407.566.5337
Jessica Pipkins
Burrell Communications Group
313.779.5446
The following students have been selected to participate* in the 2011 Disney’s Dreamers Academy with Steve Harvey and Essence Magazine:

Student Name
City
State
Alexis Coates
Auburn
AL
Deundray Cottrell
Birmingham
AL
Shanice Alexander
Casa Grande
AZ
Princeton Parker
Los Angeles
CA
Maresja Bray
Los Angeles
CA
Brittany Dunn
Rancho Cordova
CA
Alanah Grisham
San Diego
CA
Rufus Humphrey
Inglewood
CA
Lester Coffield
Washington
DC
John Tucker
Washington
DC
Denzel Wilson
Washington
DC
Lansana Donzo
Claymont
DE
Angel Gardner
Bear
DE
Jakiha Johnson
Wilmington
DE
Lavelle Pauls
Dover
DE
Cheylan Abernathy
Windermere
FL
Khari Anthony
Davie
FL
Michael Balcom
Naples
FL
Andrew Bush
Pinellas Park
FL
Shakeana Clark
Apopka
FL
Za’quari Johnson
Hollywood
FL
Christeanna Lalla
Orange Park
FL
Wayne Lyons
Fort Lauderdale
FL
Dalvin McHome
Riviera Beach
FL
De’Mia Middleton
Brandon
FL
Chante Rodgers
Orlando
FL
Chardeni Shelton
Brandon
FL
Alexis Sheppard
Orlando
FL
Diamond Sims
Miami
FL
Mark West
Tampa
FL
Taiya Deria
Lithonia
GA
Tiana Gainey
Soperton
GA
Antonia Green
Darien
GA
Briana Gude
Fayetteville
GA
Nautica Mitchell
Alpharetta
GA
Brandon Paul
Union City
GA
Jone Sagoes
McDonough
GA
Ashlynn Stodghill
Fairburn
GA
Simone Wood
East Point
GA
Aun’Jelika Buchanan
Chicago
IL
Alexandria Butler
Romeoville
IL
Lonnel Fowlkes
Plainfield
IL
Kendall Grady
Chicago
IL
Robyn Gregg
Chicago
IL
Kenyatta Holmes
Chicago
IL
Haroon Lewis
Chicago
IL
Laryssa Rollins
Matteson
IL
Lyric Simms
Champaign
IL
Brianna Sullivan
Riverdale
IL
Allisa Bryant
Merillville
IN
Avery Davis
Gary
IN
Taeler Jackson
Topeka
KS
Chad Davis
New Orleans
LA
Raina Houston
New Orleans
LA
Ashlyn Pinkins
Gretna
LA
Laward Smith
New Orleans
LA
Chassity Walker
Avondale
LA
Xy’Quarrius Webster
Lafayette
LA
Jared Adams
Owings
MD
Brianna Bazemore
Temple Hills
MD
Ta’Shawn Black
Capitol Heights
MD
Naadira Brooks
Suitland
MD
TeAna Brown
Salisbury
MD
Clairmont Huggins
Bowie
MD
Chelsea Scott
Ft. Washington
MD
Tevontae Abraham
Saginaw
MI
Tierney Byrd
Detroit
MI
Demetrius Jackson
Detroit
MI
Layla White
Detroit
MI
Tonio Magee
Silvercreek
MS
Latosha Blizzard
Wilson
NC
Jasmine Kirby
Charlotte
NC
Destinee Wilson
Fayetteville
NC
Amaka Amaechi
Plainfield
NJ
Dashana Collins
Irvington
NJ
Brenaea Flucas
Willingboro
NJ
A’Dorian Murray-Thomas
Newark
NJ
Kiana Smiling
North Plainfield
NJ
Isaiah Wesley
Somerset
NJ
Patricia Albright
Camillus
NY
Tonea Barnett
Philadelphia
PA
Nyilah Jamison-Myers
Orangeburg
SC
Virginia Wright
Columbia
SC
Tachele Anderson
Memphis
TN
Dehattcia Bradd
Memphis
TN
Christopher Yancy
Memphis
TN
Joseph Jacques
Fort Worth
TX
Alysia Johnson
Rowlett
TX
Jordan Murrell
Benbrook
TX
Ki’ara Torrence
Euless
TX
Jose Villagomez
McAllen
TX
Emily Burns
South Ogden
UT
Christopher Allen
Virginia Beach
VA
Denise Dailey
Suffolk
VA
Ashley Johnson
Stafford
VA
Tiara Miles
Arlington
VA
David Miller
Bealeton
VA
Briaun Rooks
Newport News
VA
Jacob Rugen
Ashburn
VA
Tiffani Spruill
Newport News
VA
*Participation is subject to verification and return of the required documentation.
Disney's Dreamers Academy Attendance Jumps in 2011; More than 100 Teens Going to Walt Disney World Resort March 3-6
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Chip is the owner, editor, and writer of Chip and Company. When he is not writing about Disney News or Planning Tips, you will find him counting down the days to his next Disney Vacation.
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