Rolesville High, Chapel Hill High students selected to join Disney Dreamers Academy
RALEIGH, N.C. (WTVD) -- The Disney Dreamers Academy inspires and motivates young people to dream big.
Thousands of ambitious students nationwide apply for a slot in the mentoring program each year.
Four students from North Carolina were among 100 others who were chosen to participate in the 2025 season. That includes Triangle natives Kendall Brodie, a junior at Rolesville High School in Rolesville, and Vianna Fornville, who attends Chapel Hill High School in Chapel Hill.
Brodie told ABC she never thought she was going to be in a parade.
"I was really surprised when they said there was going to be a parade. Like we have to do all that?!," said Kendall.
Kendall has taken her talent for animation and turned it into a purpose: creating characters that reflect all communities.
"There's just a lot of people who aren't being represented or aren't being represented correctly, and I would just love to change that to make sure everybody can find themselves in somebody," she said.
Kendall said in her free time, she enjoys dancing, listening to music, and making jewelry. After high school, I want to attend High Point University to study Studio Art and possibly minor in Game Design.
Vianna Fornville
Vianna also attended the event to let other young people know that anything is possible. It's a message she told ABC she takes to heart as she dreams of a career as a fashion or political journalist.
"I want to make sure that I can use my words to spread information to people because I believe that knowledge is power, so when they have that information, they can do amazing things with it," Vianna said.
With workshops that give her a direct connection to some of Disney's most creative minds, Vianna said she plans to go as far as her dreams will take her.
"I have been so eager to learn and so...having these sessions today, I'm so excited because I'm finally able to get that information," she said.
Disney Dreamers Academy is a four-day, all-expenses-paid event being held at Walt Disney World in Orlando, Florida, from March 26 to 30, 2025.
SEE ALSO | Disney World offers 50% summer ticket discount for kids
Disney is the parent company of ABC11.
