‘I know I have a purpose’: At Disney mentoring program, selected teens hone their goals

After having to put the dreams of 100 students on hold for two years because of the pandemic, last weekend (March 3-6) the Disney Dreamers Academy held at the Walt Disney World Resort was back in full force. And it was as amazing as ever. Even the weather seemed to be happy about the academy’s return — it was picture-postcard-perfect the entire weekend.

This was the 15th anniversary of the Disney Dreamers Academy. The Dreamers were selected from thousands of applicants from throughout the country to participate in the four-day, three-night educational mentoring program. Included in the 100 Dreamers were eight from Florida — three of them from right here in South Florida: Isabella Puglisi, Miami Shores; Javier Luis Rivas, Weston, and McKenzie Williams of Boca Raton.

The Disney Dreamers Academy is truly a place where the Dreamers realize that their dreams really can come true. Throughout the experience, the teens are exposed to a wide variety of career opportunities that also include Walt Disney World. But it wasn’t all work. Dreamers first were welcomed to the magic of Disney World by being honored in a parade led by Mr. Mickey Mouse, himself. And after their workday was completed, the Dreamers were treated with trips to the Disney’s theme parks and concerts. Their parents/guardians were treated with an all-expense paid trip that included a relaxing stay in one of the Walt Disney World Resort hotels, away from their Dreamers.

A search for purpose

I was honored to have the privilege to interview the Dreamers from South Florida. Javier Luis Rivas, who lives in Weston, is the son of Jeannette and Luis Rivas. A 10th-grader at Cypress Bay High School in Weston, he admitted that he really didn’t have a dream when he applied for the Dreamers Academy.

“One of the things that motivates me is finding out what I want to do [in life],” he said. “I know I have a purpose. I just need to know what it is.” He thinks being at the Dreamers Academy will help him find his purpose. He said his brother Luis Andres is a former Dreamer and that helps to motivate him.

“I saw him [Luis Andres] put in so much work after being exposed to what the academy has to offer. He even started his own club, and the fact that he is doing so well helps to motivate me,” Javier said.

Watching what the program did to help his brother encouraged Javier to apply. He said he learned that some of the speakers had a lot of things to overcome. That helped him to understand that he can be an overcomer, too. “I am very happy I came. This is a great experience. I’m even coming out of my shell,” he said with a chuckle. He was one of the Dreamers featured in a fashion show, “… Something I never would have done before,” he said. So, how has the Academy motivated him? “In 10 years, I see myself happy at whatever I’m doing.”

‘Pivotal step’

Isabella Puglisi, 15, is a sophomore honors student at Immaculata-La Salle High School, and she is the daughter of Sabrina and Michael Puglisi. A member of the acceptance-only, four-year Global Business Leadership STEM Program, Isabella said she is from a family of “motivators.” She is most inspired by her grandfather, who she said, came alone from India as a teenager to attend college in this country. “He is my role model. His story inspires me,” said Isabella, the oldest of two. Her younger sister is Brianna. She is 12.

Since she was 8, Isabella said she has wanted to be a CEO at Walt Disney World. “I’ve been an annual passholder since I was 4. So, being here is a very pivotal step in reaching my goal,” she said.

Isabella said she came across the application to apply to the Disney Dreamers Academy while searching for available scholarships. “I applied and when I got my acceptance letter, at first I thought it was a rejection letter. I cried when I learned I had been accepted.”

One thing she learned is “… you don’t have to come from something to become something. She said while she is fortunate to be in a very stable family environment, not everyone is. “Yet they make their way through life because they just keep on pushing.”

In addition to being in the STEM program, Isabella is also on her school’s debate team. She said in 10 years she wants to have graduated college and have earned her MBA degree at a university overseas. Traveling the world is also a goal of hers. “I want to learn about different cultures,” she said.

Strong work ethic

McKenzie Williams, 16, is a 10th-grader from Boca Raton. The daughter of Katherine and Larry Williams, McKenzie said she applied because she saw how Disney Dreamers Academy helped her older brother Jonathan. “He was here in 2020, but COVID hit, and the program was cut short.” Still, she said her brother was so motivated by what he learned that it spilled over on her.

“Seeing my brother’s incredible work ethic is the reason I applied. Being a Dreamer has taught me how to better network.”

McKenzie had to move up her finals to become a Dreamer. “But it was worth it. I am 100 per cent happy that I came.” She said her teachers at Phillips Academy Andover have been “great” motivators. “They challenge me.”

While she is not sure what she wants to be doing in 10 years, McKenzie said, “I do see myself working very hard and being a mentor to girls of color.”

Graduation ceremony

After a whirlwind, four days of being immersed in workshops and rehearsals and just getting to know each other, the event culminated with an emotional graduation ceremony. The four-time Grammy Award winning singer, songwriter, actress and producer Kelly Rowland was the speaker. The ceremony also featured performances by recording artist Mali Music and Disney Entertainment.

While the graduation ceremony was a jubilant celebration, it was also a time when, in a moving moment, parents and/or guardians, stood face-to-face with their Dreamer, and presented him or her with a class ring. It was then that the youngsters spoke soft words of gratitude to their parents/guardians. In turn, the parents/guardians spoke words of encouragement and love to their Dreamer. It was such a moving moment; it was hard for a seasoned journalist like me, to keep from tearing up.

The Disney Dreamers Academy is open to youngsters, age 13 to 19, who live in the United States and enrolled in high school from ninth to 12 grades. Information for applications for the 2023 class will be online in the spring at www.disneydreamersacademyapplications/classof 2023.

Bea Hines can be reached at bea.hines@gmail.com

This story was originally published March 11, 2022 at 11:00 AM.