Mickey Mouse and friends make festive visit to Owen Osborne’s school gym to announce student’s selection for coveted Walt Disney World Resort mentoring program; Teen among 100 students chosen nationally for all-expenses-paid trip to Walt Disney World in March
LAKE BUENA VISTA, Fla. (Jan. 15, 2025) – Atlanta-area high school student Owen Osborne got the surprise of his life Wednesday when Mickey Mouse and his friends unexpectedly showed up at his school in Sharpsburg to announce he was selected to go to Walt Disney World Resort for its coveted mentoring program called Disney Dreamers Academy. He is the second of 100 students being notified of their selection this week.
Osborne was at Trinity Christian School in Sharpsburg for what he thought was a class assembly, but the whole scene was secretly crafted by Walt Disney World to surprise Osborne. The scene included a sea of confetti, colorful balloons and a congratulatory sign during the school assembly attended by more than 250 students, Mickey Mouse and a Walt Disney World Ambassador, who delivered the exciting news.
The high school senior has already built an impressive resume. After being diagnosed with life-threatening food allergies, he became inspired to create healthy and delicious alternatives to school lunches, which led him to enter local and regional food competitions, amassing $45,000 in winnings. As a result of his work, he won former First Lady Michelle Obama’s Healthy Lunchtime Challenge and was invited to the White House to meet her. He also appeared on The Rachel Ray Show and was later named “Healthiest Kid Chef in America” by Healthy Little Cooks. The aspiring pediatric allergist and immunologist is on a mission to promote healthy food access to all school children. He is also a competitive swimmer, chef and actor.
Osborne and the program’s other students, plus a parent or guardian, will receive an all-expenses-paid trip to Walt Disney World for the transformative four-day program (March 26-30, 2025) aimed at students from diverse communities. During Disney Dreamers Academy, he and the other students will connect with business leaders, Disney executives, Hollywood celebrities and educators through workshops and seminars designed to inspire and accelerate their career aspirations. They’ll explore diverse career fields; develop essential skills such as communication, leadership and networking; and of course, enjoy the magic and wonder of Walt Disney World.
Next stop for Disney Dreamers Academy is New York City where the rest of the 2025 class will be revealed.
About Disney Dreamers Academy:
Established by Walt Disney World in 2008, Disney Dreamers Academy was created to inspire high school students from varying backgrounds and communities across the nation to dream big and pursue their goals. The program provides impactful content, expert guidance, mentors, and sponsors. Each year, 100 high school students are selected to attend a four-day immersive and transformational experience at Walt Disney World Resort in Florida.
