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:
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Annette Gibbs
Walt Disney World Public Relations
407.566.5337
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Jessica Pipkins
Burrell Communications Group
313.779.5446
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Student Name
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City
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State
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Alexis Coates
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Auburn
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AL
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Deundray Cottrell
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Birmingham
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AL
|
Shanice Alexander
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Casa Grande
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AZ
|
Princeton Parker
|
Los Angeles
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CA
|
Maresja Bray
|
Los Angeles
|
CA
|
Brittany Dunn
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Rancho Cordova
|
CA
|
Alanah Grisham
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San Diego
|
CA
|
Rufus Humphrey
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Inglewood
|
CA
|
Lester Coffield
|
Washington
|
DC
|
John Tucker
|
Washington
|
DC
|
Denzel Wilson
|
Washington
|
DC
|
Lansana Donzo
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Claymont
|
DE
|
Angel Gardner
|
Bear
|
DE
|
Jakiha Johnson
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Wilmington
|
DE
|
Lavelle Pauls
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Dover
|
DE
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Cheylan Abernathy
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Windermere
|
FL
|
Khari Anthony
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Davie
|
FL
|
Michael Balcom
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Naples
|
FL
|
Andrew Bush
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Pinellas Park
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FL
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Shakeana Clark
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Apopka
|
FL
|
Za’quari Johnson
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Hollywood
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FL
|
Christeanna Lalla
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Orange Park
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FL
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Wayne Lyons
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Fort Lauderdale
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FL
|
Dalvin McHome
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Riviera Beach
|
FL
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De’Mia Middleton
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Brandon
|
FL
|
Chante Rodgers
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Orlando
|
FL
|
Chardeni Shelton
|
Brandon
|
FL
|
Alexis Sheppard
|
Orlando
|
FL
|
Diamond Sims
|
Miami
|
FL
|
Mark West
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Tampa
|
FL
|
Taiya Deria
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Lithonia
|
GA
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Tiana Gainey
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Soperton
|
GA
|
Antonia Green
|
Darien
|
GA
|
Briana Gude
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Fayetteville
|
GA
|
Nautica Mitchell
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Alpharetta
|
GA
|
Brandon Paul
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Union City
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GA
|
Jone Sagoes
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McDonough
|
GA
|
Ashlynn Stodghill
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Fairburn
|
GA
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Simone Wood
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East Point
|
GA
|
Aun’Jelika Buchanan
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Chicago
|
IL
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Alexandria Butler
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Romeoville
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IL
|
Lonnel Fowlkes
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Plainfield
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IL
|
Kendall Grady
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Chicago
|
IL
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Robyn Gregg
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Chicago
|
IL
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Kenyatta Holmes
|
Chicago
|
IL
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Haroon Lewis
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Chicago
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IL
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Laryssa Rollins
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Matteson
|
IL
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Lyric Simms
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Champaign
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IL
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Brianna Sullivan
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Riverdale
|
IL
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Allisa Bryant
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Merillville
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IN
|
Avery Davis
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Gary
|
IN
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Taeler Jackson
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Topeka
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KS
|
Chad Davis
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New Orleans
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LA
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Raina Houston
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New Orleans
|
LA
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Ashlyn Pinkins
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Gretna
|
LA
|
Laward Smith
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New Orleans
|
LA
|
Chassity Walker
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Avondale
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LA
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Xy’Quarrius Webster
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Lafayette
|
LA
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Jared Adams
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Owings
|
MD
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Brianna Bazemore
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Temple Hills
|
MD
|
Ta’Shawn Black
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Capitol Heights
|
MD
|
Naadira Brooks
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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
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Irvington
|
NJ
|
Brenaea Flucas
|
Willingboro
|
NJ
|
A’Dorian Murray-Thomas
|
Newark
|
NJ
|
Kiana Smiling
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North Plainfield
|
NJ
|
Isaiah Wesley
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Somerset
|
NJ
|
Patricia Albright
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Camillus
|
NY
|
Tonea Barnett
|
Philadelphia
|
PA
|
Nyilah Jamison-Myers
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Orangeburg
|
SC
|
Virginia Wright
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Columbia
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SC
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Tachele Anderson
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Memphis
|
TN
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Dehattcia Bradd
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Memphis
|
TN
|
Christopher Yancy
|
Memphis
|
TN
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Joseph Jacques
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Fort Worth
|
TX
|
Alysia Johnson
|
Rowlett
|
TX
|
Jordan Murrell
|
Benbrook
|
TX
|
Ki’ara Torrence
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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
|
Related articles
- Disney’s Dreamers Academy Attendance ‘Snowballs’ in 2011; More than 100 Teens Going to Walt Disney World Resort March 3-6 (chipandco.com)
- Three Central Florida Teens Set to Join 2011 Disney’s Dreamers Academy (chipandco.com)
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