Kenwood student selected for Dream trip to Disney World

citizen |

Kenwood Academy high school sophomore Isis Davis is one of two high school students from Illinois selected to attend Steve Harvey's Disney Dreamers Academy March 8-11 at Walt Disney World in Orlando, Fla. (Photo Courtesy of Burrell Communications)
Kenwood Academy high school sophomore Isis Davis is one of two high school students from Illinois selected to attend Steve Harvey's Disney Dreamers Academy March 8-11 at Walt Disney World in Orlando, Fla. (Photo Courtesy of Burrell Communications)

Sixteen-year-old Isis Davis almost didnt listen to her mother.

The Hyde Park resident and sophomore at Kenwood Academy high school was told to complete an application for comedian and radio personality Steve Harveys Disney Dreamers Academy program. The mother, Kim Preston, had heard Harveys calls for entries for the annual program on his syndicated morning radio show that airs locally on WVAZ-FM/V103 but she wasnt sure if her daughter had been obedient and completed the forms.

It wasnt like she was enthused about doing it, Preston told the Chicago Citizen. And her daughter admits that she hesitated to complete the entry.

But Davis did and now shes elated about going to Disney World. She and two other area youth were chosen from among over 4,000 applicants nationwide to participate in the Disney Dreamers Academy (DDA) with Harvey and ESSENCE magazine where a total of 100 youth are exposed to opportunities and activities that encourage them to aspire to big things personally and professionally.

March 8-11 the three youths will join other Dreamers in Walt Disney World in Orland, Fla. for four days of exploration, fun and mentoring all aimed at encouraging the youth in grades 9-12 to aim high and get on a career path. They will participate in immersive workshops on a variety of subjects, including entertainment, entrepreneurship, the medical field, culinary arts and creative inspiration from the creative minds behind Disneys theme parks and attractions.

Im very excited to go, but most of all Im honored and blessed to experience this opportunity, Davis told the Chicago Citizen. I was shocked and happy.

The creative Davis is an avid lover of fine and performing arts, including drawing, poetry and African and hip hop dance. She looks forward to an entrepreneurial career as a creative director, graphic novelist or a branding and logo designer.

Shes a bright girl and weve always encouraged her, Preston said of her daughter, who will attend DDA with her father.

Davis was one of two students from Illinois chosen for the special experience. Crystal Lake Central High School senior Casey Foley was also selected. The 16-year-old competitive figure skater loves the marching band and is headed to the University of Mississippi in the fall.

My dream is to open up students eyes and help them find their dreams, she said.

Just across the south suburban border, in Merrillville, Ind., aspiring opera singer Taylor Carter will also be going to Disney World. The newly selected Dreamer is a senior at Merrillville High School where she is president of the drama club, and participates in show choir and community theater.

I will be graduating with the highest thespian honors and later attending college majoring in music education and opera, said Carter. With effort, lessons, grace and God, anything is possible.

This year marks the fifth year of the DDA program, which Harvey started in 2007. When Davis, Foley and Carter and this years other youth graduate in the 2012 class of Dreamers, a total of 500 youth will have participated in the program, Disney officials said.

Ive been with Dreamers Academy from day one and each year the program gets stronger as we add new interactive and experiential components for these students, so to hit the five-year mark is quite an accomplishment, said Harvey. Investing and re-investing in these kids each year, you can really see the pay off as they leave the Academy and start to look at their future in a much different and much brighter light.

by Rhonda Gillespie

Latest Stories

Latest Podcast

STARR Community Services International, Inc.