Photo by Donnell Suggs/The Atlanta Voice
ORLANDO, FL. – A group of high school students gathered for a photo in front of the Cinderella Castle at the center of Magic Kingdom. One of those students, Kyla Decambre, eagerly grabbed the purple “Georgia” sign and held it over her head. She smiled, and the moment was captured forever.
One student was missing from the group. She could be found in the car, rounding the curve. Claire Jefferson, a student from Warner Robins, was selected as one of the two Dreamers to sit with this year’s DREAMbassador, Malia Baker, for the ceremonial ride in the parade.
The first day of the annual gathering of 100 high school students from around the country to the world’s happiest place happened today. Disney Dreamers Academy, a career-inspiring multi-day program designed to empower and train the next generation of leaders through mentorship, education, and immersive experiences at Disney World, began on Thursday, March 26.
This year marks the program’s 19th year.
The first step of that journey included the Disney Dreamers Academy parade through Magic Kingdom. From “Super Bowl corner,” the parade could be seen by thousands of visitors.
10 of those students are from Georgia public, private, and charter schools. Some of them are student-athletes and future journalists, while others are musicians, thespians, and future economists and doctors. All are here at Disney Dreamers Academy to make connections, meet new people, and learn how the business of entertainment works at one of the largest brands on the planet.
Making their way from Georgia are Fiffy Abiodun-Findo, Kyla Decambre, Joseph Giles, Kenia Gonzalez-Chavez, Claire Jefferson, Riley Lacey, Alexis Lattimore, Skye Pierre, Azarii Roach, and Shakayah Watson.
Photo by Donnell Suggs/The Atlanta Voice
For Jefferson, the first day of festivities was extra special because she was one of two Dreamers selected to ride in the parade car. The Warner Robins native and Houston County Chorus Program member has a goal of becoming a Disney Imagineer.
Jefferson is the founder of STEMtastic Saturdays, a program that teaches STEM concepts to young girls. She understands what moments like this do for a girl’s and young women’s confidence and self-esteem.
Their goals are different. Decambre wants to be a broadcast journalist, while Gonzalez-Chavez has plans to become an immigration attorney. Lacey listed goals of being a broadcaster and a chef. Watson, who plays basketball, golf, tennis, and volleyball at Shiloh High School in Snellville, wants to continue playing volleyball on the collegiate level. Giles hails from Milton and is actually looking forward to majoring in economics in college. An interesting group of young people, indeed.
Applicants are evaluated based on essays that highlight their personal stories, academic interests, and future aspirations. The program, which launched in 2008, is part of Disney’s broader effort to support students from diverse communities and encourage the next generation of leaders to think boldly about their potential.
For many students, careers in movies and television are the ultimate goal. This year’s DREAMbassador, actress and dancer Malia Baker, achieved that dream and is here to inspire and encourage the Dreamers. Asked if riding in the parade, posing for pictures with the Dreamers, and taking questions from media from around the world during this annual celebration was all she hoped it would be, Baker answered in the affirmative with a caveat.
“I didn’t even know what I thought it would be, but stepping into it, I think it’s everything and more,” she said. “It’s a dream come true.”
Since its launch, Disney Dreamers Academy alumni have pursued careers in journalism, engineering, the arts, technology, and education. Many former participants later return to the program as mentors.
More information about the Disney Dreamers Academy is available at DisneyDreamersAcademy.com and on Instagram at @DisneyDreamersAcademy.