ORLANDO, Fl. – Led by their drum major Mickey Mouse, a brass band and trio of drum majors from Historically Black Colleges and Universities (HBCU) started a procession into a ballroom at Disney Contemporary Resort. Behind them were 100 talented young people representing communities from all over the country. They are the Disney Dreamers Academy Class of 2024.
Eight of the Disney Dreamers are from the state of Georgia, with three hailing from metro Atlanta; Cameryn Polk, a senior at Elite Scholars Academy in Clayton County, Hannah Dennis, a freshman at Elite Scholars Academy, and Hollis Mason, a junior soccer player and honors student at The Westminster Schools in Atlanta.
Once seated, the Disney Dreamers were greeted by Tracey Powell, Sr. Vice President of Consumer Insights, Measurements and Analytics of Walt Disney Parks & Resorts and Disney Dreamers Executive Champion . Powell, dressed in a colorful floral gown, spoke of about her 21 years of working for the global entertainment brand and how she moved from job to job within the company, the entire time believing in herself and her abilities.
“Each year thousands of exceptional young people apply, of all the applicants, you are the 100 Disney Dreamers chosen to be here,” Powell said. “Believe me, there’s a reason all of you are here. You have made the sacrifice to be here.”
After recognizing the dreamers’ parents and guardians in attendance, Powell asked everyone to watch a shot video about the Disney Dreamers Academy program which featured previous classes. Another video of former Disney Dreamer and current Sr. Specialist, Communications Raevon Redding giving the roll call included photos and descriptions of the career goals of members of the class of 2024.
A judge of the Disney Dreamers applications, Powell spoke about reading the essays and said the process of selecting just 100 dreamers is daunting. She took a moment to thank the other judges, some of whom were in attendance during the hour-long welcome celebration.
Her co-host for the event was another former Disney Dreamer Academy (DDA), Princeton Parker. Other DDA alumni were also on hand to cheer on the latest class.
A powerful and inspiring performance of “Shadowland” from “The Lion King” by singer and actress Kissy Simmons followed. A mother of an 11-year-old daughter, a wife, and performer, Simmons’ advice to the dreamers was to “Just be grateful for what you have,” she said. “That’s the number one ingredient for life.”
When asked about the importance of mentorship, Simmons, who grew up in Floral City, Florida, a small town outside of Tampa, said she thought mentorship was important to everyone’s development, no matter their career choice and goals.
“All the time you are being watched, she said. “It lets you know you are important, you are seen. So please always appreciate where you are.”
This year’s “DREAMbassador” and the grand marshall of the Disney Dreamers Academy parade is actress and singer Dara Renee. Last year’s DREAMbassador was actress and singer Halle Bailey.
Later that afternoon, a parade of Disney Dreamers made their way past thousands of well-wishers and park visitors at Magical Kingdom. The dreamers held signs representing the various states that they were from, but they also held signs that read “Courage”, “Constancy”, “Curiosity”, and “Confidence.”