One of the many fun jobs Walt Disney World’s ambassadors enjoy is to take Mickey Mouse out to reward achievers in the community. This last week, Mickey Mouse visited local schools this week to recognize 18 students in the five-county area as Disney Dreamers & Doers Shining Stars.
Disney Dreamers & Doers recognizes students throughout Central Florida who serve as role models at school, at home and in their community. Approximately 400 students were chosen as their school’s 2012 Disney Dreamer & Doer.
In addition to a visit from Mickey Mouse and the prize patrol, Disney Dreamers & Doers ShiningStars receive a Mickey Mouse statue known as a “Mousecar”, Walt Disney World annual theme park passes for themselves and their immediate family, a gold medallion and a special invitation to attend the upcoming Kids and Nature Celebration at Walt Disney World Resort.
From the Dreamers & Doers, a panel of judges selected 18 Shining Stars from elementary, middle and high schools in Orange, Osceola, Seminole, Lake and Polk counties, as well as the Florida Virtual School. These students are considered the best of the best. They consistently demonstrate outstanding character, lead by example and have a caring spirit.
“The Disney Dreamers & Doers program is just one way we demonstrate our commitment to the children of Central Florida,” said Nancy Gidusko, director of Community Relations for Walt Disney World Resort. “We are so proud of all these students, especially the Shining Stars. They offer bright hope for the future as each of them has a special spark. They truly are making a difference in our community and inspiring others to do the same.”
The following students are 2012 Disney Dreamers & Doers Shining Stars:
Orange County
Kyle Sullivan, Castle Creek Elementary School
Amy Pho, Avalon Middle School
Elizabeth Tran, Cypress Creek High School
Osceola County
Stephen Triplett, Michigan Avenue Elementary
Cerriah Delgado, St. Cloud Middle School
Madeleine Childers, Osceola Virtual School
Seminole County
Katherine Loftis, Layer Elementary School
Lauren Culbreth, Chiles Middle School
William Webster, Seminole High School
Lake County
Ava Deleon, Pine Ridge Elementary School
Emilie Palmer, Lake Montessori Learning Institute
Joseph Caggiano, Mount Dora High School
Polk County
Tye Harrell, Wendell Watson Elementary School
Jennifer Bacon, Resurrection Catholic School
Kierstein Nelson, Harrison School for the Arts
Florida Virtual School
Madison Wolfe, 4th Grade
Mikhala Carrasco, 7th Grade
Noah Schnacky, 9th Grade
Now entering its 29th year, more than 12,000 students have been recognized as Disney Dreamers & Doers. The program is just one of the ways that Walt Disney World Resort actively supports education in Central Florida. In the past year, Disney’s involvement has included Disney Helping Kids Shine grants for local school districts and early learning coalitions, sponsorship of A Gift for Teaching and A Gift for Music and more than 2.1 million school supplies donated to students at the start of the school year.