Several local high school students from New York and New Jersey are headed to Disney World in Florida after being selected to participate in the 2026 Disney Dreamers Academy.
The teens, accompanied by a parent or guardian, will receive an all-expense-paid trip to Walt Disney World Resort, where they will take part in an intensive educational and mentoring program.
Nine students were selected from the New York metro area: Aubrey Torres of Manhattan; Elijah Martinez of the Bronx; Joshua Anikwue and Birelle Taylor, both of Brooklyn; Clare Griffin of Garden City; Pelumi Adiodun of Newark; Angel Ajish of East Hanover, N.J.; Arush Mitra of Berkeley Heights, N.J.; and Isabella Jean-Baptiste of Millburn, N.J.
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The students are among 100 selected nationwide to attend the four-day event, where they will develop key skills such as effective communication, networking strategies, and confidence-building.
Nearly 1,000 applicants submitted essays detailing their personal stories, the individuals who have influenced them most, and their aspirations for the future. Since its inception in 2008, the Disney Dreamers Academy has mentored more than 1,700 students.
During the program, Walt Disney World theme parks are transformed into “classrooms,” offering Dreamers hands-on, immersive workshops led by industry experts across a wide range of career fields, from animation to zoology.
Each year, motivational speakers, celebrities, entrepreneurs, executives, and Disney cast members convene at the academy to share their experiences and provide guidance on setting goals and achieving success.