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Today marks an exciting milestone as applications open for the 2025 Disney Dreamers Academy! To celebrate, let’s take a moment to highlight one of the academy’s recent graduates, Te’Lario Watkins II from Ohio, who just had a dream-come-true experience thanks to his time in the Walt Disney World Resort mentoring program.

At just 16 years old, Te’Lario had the incredible opportunity to spend an afternoon on the set of ABC’s hit show Shark Tank, as a special guest of investor Daymond John. Their connection began during the 2024 Disney Dreamers Academy, where Daymond was one of the inspiring celebrity mentors. After hearing Te’Lario’s story, John was motivated to help elevate his entrepreneurial aspirations.

ABC TV series ‘Shark Tank,’ star Daymond John surprises TeLario Watkins (Blacklick, Ohio) during the Disney Dreamers Academy at Walt Disney World Resort in Lake Buena Vista, Fla. on April 6, 2024. John presented Watkins with a personal invitation to Los Angeles, Calif. to watch a taping of ‘Shark Tank.’ (Mark Ashman, photographer)

Te’Lario is no ordinary teen—he’s been running his own mushroom farm, Tiger Mushroom Farms, since he was just seven years old! He also founded the Garden Club Project, a non-profit initiative aimed at tackling food insecurity in his community. Daymond John was truly impressed by his passion and drive.

Thanks to Walt Disney World, Te’Lario and his father were flown out to Los Angeles, where Daymond not only gave him a behind-the-scenes tour of the Shark Tank set but also connected him with fellow entrepreneurs and introduced him to the other “Sharks.” For Te’Lario, the experience was invaluable. He had the chance to learn firsthand business strategies from Daymond, gain insights into entrepreneurship, and soak up life lessons from one of the most successful self-made millionaires of his generation.

This experience is just one example of how Disney Dreamers Academy is making a real impact in the lives of young dreamers. Te’Lario’s journey serves as a reminder that with the right guidance and support, dreams can become a reality! If you know a teen with big ambitions, now is the perfect time to encourage them to apply for the Disney Dreamers Academy!

Disney announced earlier today during the ESSENCE Festival of Culture in New Orleans, Louisiana, that applications are now open for the 2025 event at www.DisneyDreamersAcademy.com, where high school students looking to achieve their dreams can be nominated or apply themselves.

About Disney Dreamers Academy:
Established by Walt Disney World in 2008, Disney Dreamers Academy’s mission is to inspire teens from Black and underrepresented communities to dream beyond imagination by providing life-long access to personalized support for the Disney Dreamer, their caregivers and community through insightful content and uplifting experts, mentors and sponsors. Each year, 100 high school students are awarded a trip to Walt Disney World Resort in Florida to experience this four-day immersive and transformational program.