WDW Daily News

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 onFacebook.com/DisneyDreamersAcademy or on Twitter.com/DreamersAcademy.

Take a look at some photos from around Walt Disney World.