For Immediate Release
October 09, 2015
Contact Information

Walt Disney World Resort
Geoffrey Pointon, 407-566-7198
Public Relations
geoffrey.pointon@disney.com

or

TJM Communication, Inc.
Treva J. Marshall, or Joel Kaiman, 407-977-5004
treva@tjmcommunications.com / joel@tjmcommunications.com

(BPRW) Final Chance for High School Students to Apply for the 2016 Disney Dreamers Academy

-- October 30 is the last day students can apply to be one of 100 selected for an elite, once-in-a-lifetime educational program at Walt Disney World Resort --

(BLACK PR WIRE) -- LAKE BUENA VISTA, Fla.--(BUSINESS WIRE)-- With the school year already in full swing, so are applications for the 2016 Disney Dreamers Academy with Steve Harvey and ESSENCE Magazine, the innovative, outside-of-the-classroom, educational mentoring program at Walt Disney World Resort. To be among the 100 selected to participate in this hands-on learning experience, high school students nationwide must apply at DisneyDreamersAcademy.com by October 30.

Disney Dreamers Academy continues to hold true to its mission to inspire and fuel the dreams of teens, help them discover a world of possibilities and help them prepare for the future. Each year, students participate in engaging and immersive workshops related to a variety of career paths, ranging from animation to zoology. Each participant learns important skills such as communication techniques, leadership values and networking strategies.

Motivational speakers and celebrities share their stories and provide insight on how to achieve success and DREAM BIG. Dreamers have the opportunity to cultivate relationships with other students from across the nation while they gain personal first-hand knowledge from Disney experts and world-renowned entrepreneurs and executives.

With the imaginative and magical setting of Walt Disney World Resort, Dreamers will have the opportunity to go behind-the-scenes to learn what inspires Disney storytellers, as well as use the theme parks as energetic ‘classrooms,’ leading to career discoveries, the pursuit of dreams and fun memories to last a lifetime.

Steve Harvey, syndicated radio and television personality, along with ESSENCE and Walt Disney World Resort will host the selected Dreamers during their four-day power packed career and educational exploration. “One of my personal commitments is to always give back and particularly to youth,” said Harvey. “We’ve seen 800 students come through the program, and I’m excited to find the next 100. I encourage all high school students to take the time to apply for Disney Dreamers Academy because I truly believe that a young person’s dream is more important than anything.”

Applicants must answer three essay questions describing their stories, the people who are most influential in their lives and their dreams for the future. Students are selected based on a combination of attributes, including a strong character, positive attitude and determination to achieve their dreams.

Select Disney Dreamers along with a parent or guardian, will receive an all-expense-paid trip to Walt Disney World Resort in Florida, where they will participate in life-changing sessions as they are surrounded by the ingenuity and passion represented in Disney theme parks around the world. Disney Dreamers Academy will take place March 3-6, 2016.

Applications are open to U.S. high school students, ages 13 to 19, until Oct. 30, 2015. A distinguished panel of leaders will judge the applications in November and winners will be announced in December 2015.

For more information regarding applications, visit: DisneyDreamersAcademy.com. Follow the Dreamers on Facebook.com/DisneyDreamersAcademy or on Twitter.com/DreamersAcademy.

About Walt Disney World Resort / The Walt Disney Co.:

Walt Disney World Resort is a contiguous 40-square-mile, world-class entertainment and recreation center located at Lake Buena Vista, Fla., 20 miles southwest of Orlando. The Walt Disney Co. has a rich legacy of creativity and exceptional storytelling that brings families together in unique and memorable ways. Creative excellence is coupled with a strong commitment to community service and diversity. The Walt Disney Co. is dedicated to making a positive impact in communities around the world, with a primary focus on brightening the lives of children.

About Steve Harvey:

Steve Harvey began doing stand-up comedy in the mid-1980s, which eventually led to a long stint as host of “It’s Showtime at the Apollo.” His success as a stand-up comedian led to multiple TV sitcoms, including “Me and The Boys”, “The Steve Harvey Show” and “Steve Harvey’s Big Time Challenge.” His first book, “Act Like A Lady, Think Like A Man,” quickly became a bestseller in 2009. Harvey has appeared on “The Oprah Show,” “Nightline,” “Good Morning America” and “The Ellen DeGeneres Show.” Currently, Harvey hosts the nationally syndicated “Steve Harvey Morning Show,” which airs in over 60 markets and has over 7 million listeners. He is host of “Steve Harvey,” a nationally syndicated daytime talk show.

About ESSENCE Communications Inc.:

ESSENCE Communications Inc. (ECI) is the number one media company dedicated to African-American women, with a multi-platform presence in publishing, live events and online. The company’s flagship publication, ESSENCE magazine, is the preeminent lifestyle magazine for African-American women; generating brand extensions such as the ESSENCE Festival, ESSENCE Black Women in Hollywood and Black Women in Music, Window on Our Women and Smart Beauty consumer insights series, the ESSENCE Book Club, ESSENCE.com, and ventures in digital media (mobile, television and VOD). For 44 years, ESSENCE, which has a brand reach of 13.4 million, has been the leading source of cutting-edge information and specific solutions relating to every area of African-American women’s lives. Additional information about ECI and ESSENCE is available at www.essence.com.



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