Two Gwinnett County Public Schools students have earned a free trip to Walt Disney World and an opportunity to gain motivation, guidance and skills to help make their dreams of future greatness come true. Anudeepa Ramachandiran, a Duluth High School senior, and Zaria Walker, a sophomore at Mountain View High School, will attend the Disney Dreamers Academy with Steve Harvey and Essence magazine this spring.
Now in its 12th year, the program inspires teens to dream big, while providing the tools to achieve those dreams. During the four-day event, the teens are challenged to “Be100,” an aspirational mindset that encourages the students to be 100 percent “all in,” to make the most of their opportunities, relentlessly pursue and realize their dreams, and positively make a difference in the lives of others.
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Ramachandiran is the founder and CEO of Impact Atlanta LLC, an app that provides nonprofit organizations with hard-to-reach donations like clothing and feminine hygiene products. She also created her own blog, anuwrites.blog, and a website, MemoryTechnology, aimed at increasing cognitive-thinking and memory recollection for Alzheimer’s patients.
Walker, who enjoys modeling and baking, is a weekly volunteer at the North Gwinnett co-op and has collected more than 1,000 cans of food to feed families in need in her community. Walker also founded BYOB, (Be Your Own Beautiful), to help girls feel beautiful inside and out using STEM education and leadership roles.
Ramachandiran and Walker are among 100 high school students from around the country who, along with a parent or guardian, will receive an all-expense-paid trip to Walt Disney World Resort, where they will hear from notable speakers, engage in immersive career-oriented workshops and learn important life skills such as communication, leadership and networking.
TV host and comedian Steve Harvey will serve as the event’s master of ceremonies and motivational speaker, along with other notable personalities and special guests. Previous celebrity participants include “Good Morning America” co-host Michael Strahan; stars of ABC TV’s “black-ish” Marsai Martin and Miles Brown; Grammy Award-winning recording artist Ne-Yo and NBA legend Magic Johnson.
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