Derek Sibbald will be attending the Disney Dreamers Academy later this week.
One Centralia High School senior will be traveling to Disney World in Orlando, Florida, to take part in a four-day power-packed event that inspires students to dream big and get a head start on making their dreams come true.
Derek Sibbald is one of 100 students across the nation who will be attending Disney Dreamers Academy. Out of the 15,000 students who applied for the academy, he will be the only one representing the Pacific Northwest.
“Students chosen to attend travel from every corner of the country to participate in a series of sessions and workshops held within the magical setting of Walt Disney World Resort, virtually turning the theme parks into vibrant classrooms where dreamers can imagine bright futures, make exciting discoveries and learn how to put their goals into action,” according to the academy’s website.
Those selected for the academy will work side by side with top celebrities, dedicated Disney cast members, and community and industry leaders.
Sibbald, who applied several times before being accepted into the academy, said he is most excited about expanding his leadership experiences.
“I’ll learn how to put my goals and aspirations into the works and will also be networking with Disney executives and other people working with nonprofits who will help me career wise,” he said.
Sibbald already has vast leadership experience. He’s the Centralia High School senior class treasurer and has set up two student-run blood drives with Bloodworks Northwest. He is also the president of the high school’s Future Business Leaders of America program and has experience organizing and running fundraisers.
“For me to be the only one from the Pacific Northwest is pretty cool,” Sibbald said.
Sibbald used to travel to Disneyland with his grandfather where he first heard about the Disney Dreamers Academy. From that point on, it was always his goal to attend the academy where he could further his skills.
As part of the application process he had to submit three essays detailing his leadership skills, his dreams and his life story.
After he graduates from Centralia High School, Sibbald plans to attend St. Martin’s University to major in accounting.
His mom, Carol, said they were blown away when they received his acceptance letter and called to verify it just to be sure.
“I was excited and I couldn’t believe it because he’s been trying for four years,” she said. “I was just very proud of him. He’s a good kid, he puts on blood drives for the community, he’s in student government, and he gives back to his community a lot. I really felt he deserved it.”
Sibbald, along with the others who attend the academy, will be recognized on one of Steve Harvey’s shows on Friday. Harvey is a comedian, television host, producer and radio personality, among other things.
The 10th annual Disney Dreamers Academy aims to inspire students through immersive and inspirational guest speakers, provides interactive career sessions, and helps prepare students for the future by developing networking and interviewing skills.
“He’s going to learn a lot there and they are going to teach him to dream big,” Carol Sibbald said.
