Clock Ticking for America's High School Students to Participate in 10th Annual Disney Dreamers Academy

October 31 is the last day students can apply for a once-in-a-lifetime inspirational program at Walt Disney World Resort

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Walt Disney World Resort

Sep 27, 2016, 01:10 ET

LAKE BUENA VISTA, Fla., Sept. 27, 2016 /PRNewswire/ -- Time is running out for high school students nationwide to be a part of the 2017 Disney Dreamers Academy with Steve Harvey and ESSENCE Magazine - the innovative, outside-of-the-classroom, mentoring program is in its 10^th year at Walt Disney World Resort. To be among the 100 selected to participate in this unique experience, high school students around the country must apply at DisneyDreamersAcademy.com by October 31.

Disney Dreamers join (behind Mickey Mouse L-R) Mikki Taylor, editor-at-large for Essence Magazine, Michelle Ebanks, president of Essence Communications, Inc., radio and TV personality Steve Harvey, Tracey D. Powell, executive champion of Disney Dreamers Academy, and Mickey Mouse on March 6, 2016 to celebrate the commencement of the ninth Disney Dreamers Academy with Steve Harvey and Essence Magazine at Walt Disney World Resort in Lake Buena Vista, Fla. The annual event is a career-inspiration program for distinguished high school students from across the U.S. (Gregg Newton, photographer)

L-R: High school students Shane Porter of Douglasville, Ga., Nazareth Brown of Woodstock, Ga., and Jacoby Felder of Duluth, Ga. learn the science behind the magic of Walt Disney World Resort during an engineering workshop March 4, 2016 at Disney Dreamers Academy with Steve Harvey and Essence Magazine at Disney University in Lake Buena Vista, Fla. The ninth annual event March 3-6, 2016, is a career-inspiration program for distinguished high school students from across the U.S. (Matt Stroshane, photographer)

L-R: Actor Lance Gross, "The Real" talk show co-host Tamera Mowry-Housley, and actor Lamman Rucker participate in a panel discussion March 5, 2016 during Disney's Dreamers Academy with Steve Harvey and Essence Magazine at Epcot in Lake Buena Vista, Fla. The ninth annual event March 3-6, 2016, is a career-inspiration program for distinguished high school students from across the U.S. (Todd Anderson, photographer)

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 from Disney experts and world-renowned entrepreneurs and executives. Moreover, motivational speakers and celebrities such as syndicated radio and television personality Steve Harvey and ESSENCE President Michelle Ebanks connect with students to share their stories and provide insight into how to achieve success and DREAM BIG.

Immersed in the imaginative and magical setting of Walt Disney World Resort, Dreamers 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 cherish.

"Giving back to our youth – our future – is something I am so passionate about," said Harvey. "This is a milestone year, where the success and collaboration with Disney continue to pay dividends for the lives of over 900 Disney Dreamer alumni and with the addition of the class of 2017, we will have influenced over 1,000 aspiring young leaders. I encourage all high school students to take the time to apply for the 10^th annual Disney Dreamers Academy because I truly believe that a young person's dream deserves constant nourishing."

Applicants must answer 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.

Selected Dreamers, along with a parent or guardian, will receive an all-expense-paid trip to Walt Disney World Resort in Florida for the event March 9-12, 2017. Applications are open to U.S. high school students, ages 13 to 19, until Oct. 31, 2016. A distinguished panel of leaders will judge the applications in November and selected students will be announced in December.

For more information regarding applications, visit: DisneyDreamersAcademy.com. Follow the Dreamers on Facebook.com/DisneyDreamersAcademy or on Twitter.com/DreamersAcademy.

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SOURCE Walt Disney World Resort