Lamar and I are very excited and honored to be invited back to Walt Disney World this year to cover the Disney Dreamers Academy 2012 (DDA). This year marks the 5th year that Disney and Steve Harvey have partnered together for this event that inspires teens to achieve their personal and professional goals (this is the second year for Essence’s participation.)
Lamar and I attended DDA for first time last year. We went there expecting to cover an awesome event (because Disney does everything with excellence) and to meet some very outstanding teenagers. We did not expect to leave there feeling so inspired and uplifted ourselves. On the last day, we felt like we were one of the kids graduating during the commencement ceremony.
The Disney Dreamers Academy provides stellar educational experiences which include: interactive career workshops; motivational talks and networking opportunities with Disney executives, sports and entertainment celebrities, industry professionals and community leaders who will share their stories and blueprints for success. The kids will have the opportunity to hear and be inspired by people that are at the top of their professional careers….how awesome is that!!!
Do you remember back when you were a senior in high school? Do you remember feeling excited: filled with hope and nervous energy about the next stage of your life? Can you imagine spending the weekend at Disney with 100 teens that were chosen because they were identified as dreamers and as people that are determined to excel in-spite of their circumstances and the trials in their everyday lives. These kids have faced challenges from cancer to being homeless, and yet they are still determined to excel.
I know that this is a lesson that some of us older folks need to be reminded of. Some of us are not going through half of the trials that these kids are facing and yet we have stopped dreaming, we’ve given up on life and marriages…and we have thrown in the towel. Take a few moments to read the profiles of the 2012 Class and about how they choose to succeed in spite of their circumstances.
This 4 day event is truly magical and infectious. Whether you are a teen participating in the event, media covering the event, or a person working during the event, you will leave there re-charged and re-inspired to dream big…just as you did as a senior in high school.
BMWK Family – Do you think it’s too late to dream big? What are some of the goals that you are working towards and how do you plan to achieve them? How do you remain motivated in-spite of trials in your everyday life?