Disney Celebrates Fifth Annual Dreamers Academy

Don't miss Steve Harvey tonight on 106 & Park!

Man of the Hour - Steve Harvey takes the stage during the Dreamers Academy commencement ceremony on March 11. Among his many words of advice, Harvey encouraged students to find their gift — the skill or talent that comes easiest to them with little effort — as it is the first step to success.   (Photo: Phelan Ebenhack)

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Steve Harvey Will Be The Man of the Hour - Steve Harvey takes the stage during the Dreamers Academy commencement ceremony on March 11. Among his many words of advice, Harvey encouraged students to find their gift — the skill or talent that comes easiest to them with little effort — as it is the first step to success.   Don't miss Steve Harvey tonight on 106 & Park!(Photo: Phelan Ebenhack)

Bright Futures - The Dreamers Academy took place in Orlando, FL March 8-11. Radio personality, comedian and author Steve Harvey once again hosted the academy, as he has since it began in 2007. Here, he poses with four Dreamers Academy guests, including Nikki Dawson (left, center), who competed last season on The Voice.    (Photo: Phelan Ebenhack)

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Bright Futures - The Dreamers Academy took place in Orlando, FL March 8-11. Radio personality, comedian and author Steve Harvey once again hosted the academy, as he has since it began in 2007. Here, he poses with four Dreamers Academy guests, including Nikki Dawson (left, center), who competed last season on The Voice.   (Photo: Phelan Ebenhack)

Dreaming Big - One hundred teens from around the country were invited to be part of the 5th annual Disney’s Dreamers Academy. Hosted by Steve Harvey and Essence magazine, the four-day conference helped high school students refine their goals and gain self-confidence while they attended innovative career workshops led by celebrity guests and top industry experts.  BET.com looks back at their incredible journey.—Britt Middleton (Photo: Phelan Ebenhack). 

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Dreaming Big - One hundred teens from around the country were invited to be part of the 5th annual Disney’s Dreamers Academy. Hosted by Steve Harvey and Essence magazine, the four-day conference helped high school students refine their goals and gain self-confidence while they attended innovative career workshops led by celebrity guests and top industry experts.  BET.com looks back at their incredible journey.—Britt Middleton (Photo: Phelan Ebenhack). 

All Eyes on Them - The kids kicked off their magical weekend with a parade through Disney’s Magic Kingdom on March 8. Of nearly 4,000 applications received, only 100 high school students in grades 9-12 were invited to attend based on their academic and creative achievements and contributions in their communities. (Photo: Phelan Ebenhack)

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All Eyes on Them - The kids kicked off their magical weekend with a parade through Disney’s Magic Kingdom on March 8. Of nearly 4,000 applications received, only 100 high school students in grades 9-12 were invited to attend based on their academic and creative achievements and contributions in their communities. (Photo: Phelan Ebenhack)

Action Scene - From culinary arts to acting to criminal justice, Dreamers delved into a variety of career workshops to help direct their career aspirations. Here, teens learn about mechanical engineering and got the chance to design their own movie stunt scene. (Photo: Phelan Ebenhack)

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Action Scene - From culinary arts to acting to criminal justice, Dreamers delved into a variety of career workshops to help direct their career aspirations. Here, teens learn about mechanical engineering and got the chance to design their own movie stunt scene. (Photo: Phelan Ebenhack)

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Hype Man - Terrence J took a break from hosting BET’s 106 & Park to engage the Dreamers in a panel entitled “Conversations,” where the host was joined by a star-studded panel that included actress Regina Hall of  the upcoming movie Think Like a Man, supermodel Selita Ebanks and platinum-selling artist Sean Kingston. (Photo: Phelan Ebenhack)

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Hype Man - Terrence J took a break from hosting BET’s 106 & Park to engage the Dreamers in a panel entitled “Conversations,” where the host was joined by a star-studded panel that included actress Regina Hall of  the upcoming movie Think Like a Man, supermodel Selita Ebanks and platinum-selling artist Sean Kingston. (Photo: Phelan Ebenhack)

Words of Wisdom - In the first session, actress Regina Hall and movie producer and director Will Packer shared with the Dreamers their inspirational stories about how they broke into Hollywood and talked about their new movie, Think Like a Man, out April 20.  (Photo: Phelan Ebenhack)

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Words of Wisdom - In the first session, actress Regina Hall and movie producer and director Will Packer shared with the Dreamers their inspirational stories about how they broke into Hollywood and talked about their new movie, Think Like a Man, out April 20. (Photo: Phelan Ebenhack)

Power Meeting - Supermodel Selita Ebanks, recording star Sean Kingston, actor Lamman Rucker and BET Networks President Stephen Hill participated in the second session of the “Conversations” panel. (Photo: Phelan Ebenhack)

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Power Meeting - Supermodel Selita Ebanks, recording star Sean Kingston, actor Lamman Rucker and BET Networks President Stephen Hill participated in the second session of the “Conversations” panel. (Photo: Phelan Ebenhack)

Recipe for Success  - Celebrity chef Jeff Henderson explained the value of fresh herbs and vegetables in every meal to the students. Dreamers then joined Henderson in the kitchen and prepared a healthy meal for their fellow students on March 9. (Photo: Phelan Ebenhack)

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Recipe for Success  - Celebrity chef Jeff Henderson explained the value of fresh herbs and vegetables in every meal to the students. Dreamers then joined Henderson in the kitchen and prepared a healthy meal for their fellow students on March 9. (Photo: Phelan Ebenhack)

Early Risers - Steve Harvey invited a group of Dreamers to join him in an early morning taping of his radio program, which broadcasted live from ESPN’S Wide World of Sports in Orlando on March 9.  (Photo: Phelan Ebenhack)

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Early Risers - Steve Harvey invited a group of Dreamers to join him in an early morning taping of his radio program, which broadcasted live from ESPN’S Wide World of Sports in Orlando on March 9. (Photo: Phelan Ebenhack)

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Magical Moment - Terrence J and supermodel Selita Ebanks were enchanted by Peter Pan while visiting the Magic Kingdom during the Dreamers Academy on March 9.  (Photo: Phelan Ebenhack)

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Magical Moment - Terrence J and supermodel Selita Ebanks were enchanted by Peter Pan while visiting the Magic Kingdom during the Dreamers Academy on March 9. (Photo: Phelan Ebenhack)

Positive Reinforcement - Motivational speaker Jonathan Sprinkles pumps up the Dreamers on March 9.   (Photo: Phelan Ebenhack)

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Positive Reinforcement - Motivational speaker Jonathan Sprinkles pumps up the Dreamers on March 9.  (Photo: Phelan Ebenhack)

Star Power - American Idol alum Kimberly Locke gave students a surprise performance on March 9. (Photo: Phelan Ebenhack)

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Star Power - American Idol alum Kimberly Locke gave students a surprise performance on March 9. (Photo: Phelan Ebenhack)

Surprise Guests - Steve Harvey and actor Lamman Rucker surprised the Dreamers at an acting workshop on March 10.  (Photo: Phelan Ebenhack)

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Surprise Guests - Steve Harvey and actor Lamman Rucker surprised the Dreamers at an acting workshop on March 10. (Photo: Phelan Ebenhack)

Acting on Cue - Lamman Rucker decides to flex his acting chops, joining in on an improvisation exercise during an acting workshop on March 10. (Photo: Phelan Ebenhack)

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Acting on Cue - Lamman Rucker decides to flex his acting chops, joining in on an improvisation exercise during an acting workshop on March 10. (Photo: Phelan Ebenhack)

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Front and Center - CNN morning anchor Soledad O’Brien gave a revitalizing speech to the Dreamers on March 10. She encouraged the students to purse their goals, even in the face of adversity.  (Photo: Phelan Ebenhack)

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Front and Center - CNN morning anchor Soledad O’Brien gave a revitalizing speech to the Dreamers on March 10. She encouraged the students to purse their goals, even in the face of adversity. (Photo: Phelan Ebenhack)

In Good Hands - BET Networks President Stephen Hill greeted Julian Canery, a Dreamer from Brooklyn, NY, at a career networking event on March 10.  (Photo: Phelan Ebenhack)

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In Good Hands - BET Networks President Stephen Hill greeted Julian Canery, a Dreamer from Brooklyn, NY, at a career networking event on March 10. (Photo: Phelan Ebenhack)

Eye for the Arts - Caleb Logan (left), of Lithonia, GA, discussed his passion for fine arts with Mikki Taylor (right), editor-at-large for Essence magazine during a networking event on March 10.  (Photo: Phelan Ebenhack)

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Eye for the Arts - Caleb Logan (left), of Lithonia, GA, discussed his passion for fine arts with Mikki Taylor (right), editor-at-large for Essence magazine during a networking event on March 10. (Photo: Phelan Ebenhack)

Platinum Status - Platinum-selling recording artist Sean Kingston surprised the Dreamers with a performance of his reggae-infused hits on March 10. (Photo: Phelan Ebenhack)

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Platinum Status - Platinum-selling recording artist Sean Kingston surprised the Dreamers with a performance of his reggae-infused hits on March 10. (Photo: Phelan Ebenhack)

Photo By Photo: Phelan Ebenhack

Famous Friends - After dazzling the Dreamers with her hit "One Step at a Time," Jordin Sparks rubs elbows with Minnie Mouse during the Dreamers Academy commencement ceremony on March 11. (Photo: Phelan Ebenhack)

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Famous Friends - After dazzling the Dreamers with her hit "One Step at a Time," Jordin Sparks rubs elbows with Minnie Mouse during the Dreamers Academy commencement ceremony on March 11. (Photo: Phelan Ebenhack)

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Power Posse  - Steve Harvey poses with Mikki Taylor, editor-at-large for Essence magazine; Tracey D. Powell, Disney executive champion of Disney's Dreamers Academy; American Idol’s Jordin Sparks; Michelle Ebanks, president of Essence Communications; and gospel singer Yolanda Adams during the Dreamers Academy commencement ceremony on March 11.   (Photo: Phelan Ebenhack)

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Power Posse  - Steve Harvey poses with Mikki Taylor, editor-at-large for Essence magazine; Tracey D. Powell, Disney executive champion of Disney's Dreamers Academy; American Idol’s Jordin Sparks; Michelle Ebanks, president of Essence Communications; and gospel singer Yolanda Adams during the Dreamers Academy commencement ceremony on March 11.   (Photo: Phelan Ebenhack)

October 8, 2011: Michael Jackson Tribute - Yolanda Adams joined a cast of stars who performed at the Michael Forever tribute concert in Cardiff, Wales. Adams performed "Earth Song."(Photo:  Kevin Winter/Getty Images for NAACP Image Awards)

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Uplifting Voice - Gospel singer Yolada Adams closed the Dreamers Academy on March 11 with a stirring performance.(Photo: Phelan Ebenhack)