Discovering One’s Passion through Disney Dreamers Academy

• **A Chance of a Lifetime**: Out of 8,000 to 10,000 applicants, only 100 high school students from across the country were chosen for the Disney Dreamers Academy Class of 2025. Only one was from Kentucky, Barren County High School freshman Ross Reed, who has always been passionate about art. •

A Journey of Self-Discovery

• **From Passion to Opportunity**: Ross’s journey began with his mother, Melanie, who stumbled upon the Disney Dreamers Academy mentor program while searching for ways to showcase Ross’s art. •

“At school, it’s hard to find anything that can showcase those talents or even grow those talents,”

Melanie said, highlighting the challenges Ross faced in his hometown. •

Ross applied online in 2024 by answering a few questions and writing an essay, unaware that he and his mom would soon embark on a four-day adventure at Walt Disney World.

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He was accepted, and the news came as a surprise, especially after hearing from his mom in the middle of the night.

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A Dream Realized

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**Dates of the Experience**	March (four days)
**Places Visited**	Walt Disney World in Florida

• Ross enjoyed exploring the theme parks, networking with peers, business executives, entertainers, educators, and celebrities, and getting once-in-a-lifetime experiences. • He was particularly fascinated by meeting Disney artists in person, seeing their work on the screen for so long. •

Other notable attendees included musician and actor Adrian Lyles, film concept artist Nikkolas Smith, and influencer Juju Green, also known as Star Hat Goofy on TikTok.

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Lessons Learned

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• **Believe in Yourself**: Ross learned the importance of confidence and perseverance in pursuing one’s passion.
• **Network and Learn**: Meeting influential people and attending enrichment sessions helped Ross gain valuable insights and skills.
• **Be Authentic**: Ross emphasized the importance of staying true to oneself and not letting others dictate one’s path.

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For Ross, this experience was a reminder of the power of self-discovery and the impact of mentors on one’s journey.

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“Just be yourself, do what you wanna do. Don’t let other people drag you down just because it’s what they think,”

Ross advised those chasing their dreams. •

A Lasting Impact

• Friendships, Skills, and Memories**: Ross returned to Kentucky with a newfound sense of purpose, friendships, and skills that will guide him for the rest of his life. •

Melanie encourages anyone and everyone to apply, and if they don’t get accepted the first time, try again.

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