Cameryn Pope, a senior at Elite Scholars Academy in Clayton County, Georgia, has been selected as one of the 100 winners of the 2024 Disney Dreamers Academy Essay Contest. The contest, which is open to high school students from across the United States, challenges them to write about their personal stories and dreams for the future.
A Dream Come True
Pope, who is involved in various extracurricular activities such as cheerleading, student council, and National Honor Society, said she was ecstatic when she found out she had won the contest. She said she had always dreamed of visiting Walt Disney World Resort and participating in the Disney Dreamers Academy, a four-day program that offers mentoring, workshops, and career exploration to the selected students.
“I was so excited and grateful. I couldn’t believe it. It was like a dream come true,” Pope said. “I’ve always wanted to go to Disney World and learn from the best. I think this is a once-in-a-lifetime opportunity that will help me grow as a person and a leader.”
Pope said she hopes to pursue a career in journalism or broadcasting, and she is looking forward to meeting professionals and celebrities from the media industry at the Disney Dreamers Academy. She said she also wants to network with other students who share her passion and vision.
“I want to learn from the experts and get some hands-on experience. I also want to make new friends and connections that will last beyond the program. I think this will be a great way to expand my horizons and discover new possibilities,” Pope said.
A Diverse and Talented Group
Pope is one of the eight students from Georgia who were chosen for the 2024 Disney Dreamers Academy, out of thousands of applicants from across the country. The other students are from Atlanta, Decatur, Douglasville, Fairburn, Lithonia, and Stone Mountain. They represent a diverse and talented group of dreamers who have aspirations ranging from aerospace engineering to nutrition to animation.
The 2024 Disney Dreamers Academy was announced on Martin Luther King Day by Walt Disney World Resort in Florida, where the program was created to inspire teens from Black and underrepresented communities to dream big and pursue their goals. The selected students were featured on a live TV segment on ABC’s “Good Morning America.”
Tracey Powell, Senior Vice President of Consumer Insight, Measurement & Analytics and Executive Champion of Disney Dreamers Academy, said she was impressed by the quality and creativity of the essays submitted by the students.
“We eagerly anticipate the arrival of another exceptional group of high schoolers from all corners of the country for our 17th year!” Powell said. “These future leaders are poised to embark on a transformative journey, gaining an experience of a lifetime that will propel them towards achieving their dreams.”
A Magical Experience
The 2024 Disney Dreamers Academy will take place from March 8 to March 11 at Walt Disney World Resort, where the students and a parent or guardian will enjoy an all-expenses paid trip. The students will engage with business leaders, Disney executives, celebrities, and educators, who will immerse them in workshops and seminars designed to supercharge their career dreams.
The students will also explore a wide range of career disciplines while also learning essential skills, such as effective communication techniques, leadership, and networking strategies. And, of course, they will spend plenty of time experiencing the magic of Walt Disney World.
The program is an important part of Disney’s commitment to support diverse communities by encouraging the next generation to think and dream big. Since 2008, Disney Dreamers Academy has inspired more than 1,600 students from across the country by fueling their dreams and showing them a world of possibilities as they prepare for their futures.
