Senior named sole student in state as 'Disney Dreamer'

Disney Dreamers Academy winner Halls High School senior Paulita Edmondson holds an official decree proclaiming the good news that she was chosen as the only student in Tennessee to attend the 2008 Disney Dream Academy. Paulita will be one of 100 winners in the nation to attend the academy during Martin Luther King Jr. weekend at Disney World in Florida. HHS Principal Andy Pugh holds the glass plaque awarded to the school. [Click to enlarge]

A senior at Halls High School was recently selected among 100 high school seniors around the nation as a 2008 Disney Dreamers Academy winner.

Paulita Edmondson, who received an official decree from the Disney Dreamers Academy, is the only student in Tennessee to earn the honor. Winners were nominated and endorsed by friends, parents, guardians, church members and people in their lives who recognized extra-special qualities and the power to dream in students.

Edmondson's essay, at www.steveharvey.com/disneysdreamersacade..., was chosen by nationally syndicated radio personality Steve Harvey and his panel of judges for participation in the first-ever Disney Dreamers Academy. The event is scheduled to take place during Martin Luther King Jr. weekend at the Walt Disney World Resort in Orlando, Fla. The academy is a part of the Year of a Million Dreams celebration.

During Disney's Dreamers Academy, young dreamers will have unprecedented access to the magic behind Walt Disney World Resort. Students will participate in interactive workshops focusing on a variety of subjects including Walt Disney World Imagineering techniques, entertainment, culinary arts and the business of sports. Disney cast members, executives and celebrities like actress Monique Coleman will share their blueprints for success. And the lucky participants will explore Disney's theme parks before a graduation ceremony where a special guest will deliver a motivational address.

Upon graduating in May, Edmondson plans to attend Middle Tennessee State University and pursue a major in law with a minor in music. She is a member of the National Honor Society, the Student Council, Future Business Leaders of America and the Halls Golden Tiger Marching and Concert bands. She has been named on the National Honor Roll as well as the Who's Who Among High School Students during her sophomore year. A Tennessee Scholar, Edmondson is active in the Upward Bound Program sponsored by Dyersburg State Community College, and is credit-recovery tutor in a program sponsored by the Workforce Development Board. In 2007, she participated in the Debutante Cotillion sponsored by Xi Lambda Omega Chapter of Alpha Kappa Alpha Sorority and was the West Tennessee recipient of the traditional scholarship sponsored by the Tennessee Women's Economic Council Foundation. Other activities include dancing with the Community Praise Dance Team, singing in her church choir and gospel group One Fifty.

Each candidate was asked to define the word "dreamer" in a questionnaire. Edmondson defined a dreamer as "someone always thinking of the impossible."

"Someone who is well in touch with reality but doesn't dwell on it because in your dreams you can conquer all," said Edmondson. "A dreamer is one who doesn't worry about disappointments because it all goes his/her way because it's their dream."