Jordin at Disney's Dreamers event, March 11 2012 Options

[jdanton2]

Octobers Very Own ‏ @OVO_Dsmall
OMG JORDIN SPARKS IS HERE!!!! #YESLORD pic.twitter.com/FpqtNZ37

https://twitter.com/#!/OVO_Dsmall/statu...7995008/photo/1





article about the event.


http://mouseslap.wordpress.com/2012/03/08/...ney-parks-blog/


Disney’s Dreamers Academy Kicks Off Year Five « Disney Parks Blog

08 Thursday Mar 2012

Posted by Janjo in Disney in the Community

Disney’s Dreamers Academy Kicks Off Year Five

posted on March 7th, 2012 by Laura Spencer, Social Media Manager, Walt Disney World Resort

Tomorrow, the fifth annual Disney’s Dreamers Academy with Steve Harvey and Essence Magazine will kick off when 100 students from across the country descend on the Walt Disney World Resort to take part in a weekend full of education, inspiration and fun! The weekend starts with the teens – referred to as “Dreamers” – being honored with a parade on Main Street, U.S.A. This special group was selected from among nearly 5,000 applicants to take part in this once-in-lifetime opportunity.

Steve Harvey and the Disney’s Dreamers Academy

Over the course of the four-day program, Dreamers are encouraged to dream big, discover a world of possibilities and get a jumpstart on their dreams and goals. Activities include career-specific workshops, inspirational and informational sessions with notable professionals and celebrities, networking events and, of course, some fun in the theme parks.

Informational Session for the Disney’s Dreamers Academy

Some of the celebrities participating this year include Steve Harvey, gospel singer Yolanda Adams, sports personality Stephen A. Smith, BET’s Terrence J, recording artist Sean Kingston, and American Idol winner Jordin Sparks.

To honor the 5th anniversary of the program, one Dreamer from each of the past four years has been invited back to share their insights with this year’s group. Each has already made significant strides towards their dreams: Tevyn Cole (’08) is an entrepreneur with his own T-shirt company; Taylor Thomas (’09) is a cast member with the Disney College Program; Nikki Dawson (’10) was a contestant on the first season of NBC’s The Voice, and Princeton Parker (’11) is a communications major at the University of Southern California and a regular contributor to the national news web site, The Huffington Post.

While the weekend is an unforgettable experience for the select 100, you too have the chance to be part of the 2012 Disney’s Dreamers Academy and hear from some of the inspirational speakers and celebrities. Like Disney’s Dreamers Academy on Facebook and follow on Twitter (hash tag #DDA2012) to see daily recap videos, photos and live updates. For more information on the program, visit www.DisneysDreamersAcademy.com.





also some tweets from this site.



https://twitter.com/#!/dreamersacademy




Jordin tweets.

Jordin Sparks ‏ @JordinSparks
@dreamersacademy thank you so much for having me!!!
Hide conversation
10:39 AM - 11 Mar 12 via Twitter for iPhone

This post has been edited by jdanton2: Mar 11th 2012, 9:53 AM

[Liat275]

[jordinbsparks]

i saw people twitting yesterday and they said jordin was there,now i know why...alright let's cut the bs SHE LOOKS INCREDIBLE!!!!

http://ow.ly/i/vgYN/original

http://ow.ly/i/vgTv/original

http://ow.ly/i/vgOr/original

i'm telling you i want to cry...SO PROUD http://instagr.am/p/ICupegDeiI/

https://twitter.com/#!/Chefjefflive/sta...3893121/photo/1

http://instagr.am/p/ICP5R5hW3d/

look at that face (jordin's not minnie )

@JordinSparks strikes a pose with Minnie Mouse at Disney's Dreamers Academy

http://ow.ly/i/vijS/original

https://twitter.com/#!/IAmMikkiTaylor/s...8/photo/1/large

This post has been edited by jordinbsparks: Mar 11th 2012, 4:34 PM

[jdanton2]

it looks like Jordin performed as well. hopefully a video will show up.

[jdanton2]

http://www.justjared.com/2012/03/12/jordin...eynote-speaker/


Mon, 12 March 2012 at 8:20 am
Jordin Sparks: Disney Dreamer's Keynote Speaker

Jordin Sparks strikes a pose with Minnie Mouse on Sunday (March 11) at the Walt Disney World Resort in Lake Buena Vista, Florida.

The 22-year-old singer and actress was the keynote speaker at the Disney Dreamer’s Academy commencement ceremony. The Dream Academy program is an annual career inspiration program for one hundred high school students from across the country.

Next up for Jordin is the film Sparkle, also starring the late Whitney Houston.

The film, inspired by the story of The Supremes, tells the story of three sisters who form a successful singing group and deal with the obstacles that come along with fame.



also a short video from the event.


http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=9qzCm-HkMUg




some comments from Jordin.


http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=wECN8RlfspY

This post has been edited by jdanton2: Mar 12th 2012, 2:04 PM

[jordinbsparks]

Bossip ‏
Disney Dreamin’: Jordin Sparks Lookin Like A Lil Banger With Minnie Mouse bit.ly/zcUL1p

Jordin Sparks ‏
@Bossip thanks for keepin me entertained!

Disney Dreamin’: Jordin Sparks Lookin Like A Lil Banger With Minnie Mouse

Jordin Sparks was in Disney World this weekend for the ‘Disney’s Dreamers Academy with Steve Harvey and Essence Magazine’ event looking better than ever.

http://bossip.com/555330/disney-dreamin-jo...28Bossip.com%29

[jdanton2]

Jordin talking to the audience.


http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=9x-t2BakOss

[jordinbsparks]

Thanks 'jdanton2' for everthing you posted

also this:

American Idol Winner Jordin Sparks Gives Words of Encouragement to Disney’s Dreamers

On March 12th 2012 at Disneyworld Resorts sixth season of American Idol winner, Jordin Sparks surprised the Disney’s Dreamers with a special guest appearance about her career. The students were surprised when the announcer said, “next we have Jordin Sparks!” Many students jumped to their feet and screamed when Sparks hit the stage looking fabulous as ever, sporting a new body and glistening smile! She talked to the students about her struggles when trying to audition for American Idol, the no’s she kept getting and then finally getting a chance to audition again. She asked her mom (who was in the audience) what age she started singing and she said, 2 years old.

The tall beauty took several questions from the audience. One youngster asked how it was working with Whitney Houston on the set of Sparkle and she said it was a dream come true. One Dreamer’s wish was to become an opera singer and Jordin asked her to sing. She got goose bumps listening to her and encouraged her to keep on going! She told the audience that she has been at the Disney park for days and had to hide when she saw them in their red shirts in the park because it was suppose to be a big surprise for them. I saw her rehearsing a few days prior and she was almost un-recognizable since shedding so much wieght! She looks great and closed by singing Amazing Grace her favorite song with the audience.

pics here: http://ht.ly/1hZIvV

[jdanton2]

Thanks 'jdanton2' for everthing you posted

also this:

American Idol Winner Jordin Sparks Gives Words of Encouragement to Disney’s Dreamers

On March 12th 2012 at Disneyworld Resorts sixth season of American Idol winner, Jordin Sparks surprised the Disney’s Dreamers with a special guest appearance about her career. The students were surprised when the announcer said, “next we have Jordin Sparks!” Many students jumped to their feet and screamed when Sparks hit the stage looking fabulous as ever, sporting a new body and glistening smile! She talked to the students about her struggles when trying to audition for American Idol, the no’s she kept getting and then finally getting a chance to audition again. She asked her mom (who was in the audience) what age she started singing and she said, 2 years old.

The tall beauty took several questions from the audience. One youngster asked how it was working with Whitney Houston on the set of Sparkle and she said it was a dream come true. One Dreamer’s wish was to become an opera singer and Jordin asked her to sing. She got goose bumps listening to her and encouraged her to keep on going! She told the audience that she has been at the Disney park for days and had to hide when she saw them in their red shirts in the park because it was suppose to be a big surprise for them. I saw her rehearsing a few days prior and she was almost un-recognizable since shedding so much wieght! She looks great and closed by singing Amazing Grace her favorite song with the audience.

pics here: http://ht.ly/1hZIvV

no problem and thanks for yours as well.

[jordinbsparks]

no problem and thanks for yours as well.

aww,we're having a moment ......

Jordin Sparks recently chatted with Ebony.com about the legacy of Whitney Houston and her role in "Sparkle." Here are the highlights…..

EBONY.com: Last time I saw you, you were having a Dougie dance contest on the set of the Sparkle. Who won?

Sparks: (Laughs) We were doing it up there and Whitney walked in and was like, ‘What is that?’ And I was like, ‘It’s called the Dougie!’ And we started doing it and she started doing it … I was not expecting her to join in with us, but it was so much fun. She was like that. She was just really down-to-earth and really cool. We had an amazing time. She was so funny. So funny.

The talented actress went on to talk about her Sparkle role saying,

“It was the most incredible experience I’ve ever had. It’s actually my first role in a movie, so going there was insane. I’d wake up every morning and I’d go get ready to do the scenes and here comes Whitney into the trailer and she’s singing and blasting gospel music and just singing along to it and I’m just sitting there going, ‘This is the best thing ever!‘ I grew up listening to her music, I sang her songs into a hairbrush, like, I love her movies; it was incredible to be able to be around her.”

Jordin added that Whitney was a great mentor saying,

“Kevin Costner was so sweet to her and was so kind and just really wanted to mentor her and give her an amazing experience on her first film. And I found out that she wanted to do the same for me because it was my first and it was something that I was really nervous about and she really did that.”

“She was always making sure I was OK, always asking if I needed something. In serious scenes, if the camera was on me, … she’d be making faces at me trying to make me crack. And I was like, ‘I’m gonna get you for that!’ But she was really, really sweet and her music will definitely live on forever. I sing her songs constantly in my head all day. But she was an amazing woman.”

http://gossippond.com/latest-news/leah-rem..._medium=twitter

jordin talking about Whitney, inspiring young people,new music and more:

listen here: http://www.eurweb.com/2012/03/jordin-spark..._medium=twitter


[INTERVIEW] Jordin Sparks Talks Sparkle, New Music, and Remembering Whitney Houston
THE AMERICAN IDOL WINNER TALKED WITH EBONY.COM ABOUT REALIZING HER OWN DREAMS, AND WHAT'S HAPPENING WITH THE MOVIE SHE DID WITH ONE OF MUSIC'S BIGGEST LEGENDS



The American Idol winner was a surprise guest for the high school students who came from all over the country to be inspired, encouraged and given tools to help make them successful. Sparks’ talk on Sunday at the Disney Dreamers Academy program capped a weekend filled with celebrities and those who have conquered great obstacles to be great -- all of whom shared messages of how they landed in top positions.
The four-day program – which is in its fifth year – was put on by Disney in collaboration with Steve Harvey. The comedian brought out other famous friends, including Yolanda Adams, Regina Hall, BET’s Terrance J, Lamman Rucker, Sean Kingston and producer Will Packer.
At one point before she performed, Sparks opened the floor to the students for questions, and the first student picked asked her about working with the late Whitney Houston, who plays Sparks’ mother in the upcoming remake of Sparkle.
“It was the most incredible experience I’ve ever had,” she told the students. “It’s actually my first role in a movie, so going there was insane. I’d wake up every morning and I’d go get ready to do the scenes and here comes Whitney into the trailer and she’s singing and blasting gospel music and just singing along to it and I’m just sitting there going, ‘This is the best thing ever!‘ I grew up listening to her music, I sang her songs into a hairbrush, like, I love her movies; it was incredible to be able to be around her.”
Sparks continued, saying that Houston was a great mentor and walked Sparks through her first movie role much like Kevin Costner did for Houston in her first movie role in The Bodyguard.
“Kevin Costner was so sweet to her and was so kind and just really wanted to mentor her and give her an amazing experience on her first film. And I found out that she wanted to do the same for me because it was my first and it was something that I was really nervous about and she really did that,” she went on. “She was always making sure I was OK, always asking if I needed something. In serious scenes, if the camera was on me, … she’d be making faces at me trying to make me crack. And I was like, ‘I’m gonna get you for that!’ But she was really, really sweet and her music will definitely live on forever. I sing her songs constantly in my head all day. But she was an amazing woman.”

After Sparks entertained the kids, EBONY.com got a chance to speak with Sparks, and here’s what else she told us:
EBONY.com: Last time I saw you, you were having a Dougie dance contest on the set of the Sparkle. Who won?
Sparks: (Laughs) We were doing it up there and Whitney walked in and was like, ‘What is that?’ And I was like, ‘It’s called the Dougie!’ And we started doing it and she started doing it … I was not expecting her to join in with us, but it was so much fun. She was like that. She was just really down-to-earth and really cool. We had an amazing time. She was so funny. So funny.
EBONY.com: Back then you talked about realizing your dream of being an actress. The theme of this weekend is about teaching these kids to pursue their dreams. Your dream has come true, but is there great pressure on you now?
Sparks: It’s definitely been very crazy. I already knew that there was this huge pressure because it is obviously a remake of a favorite of a lot of people. And then Whitney was playing opposite me -- and this amazing cast that I got to be a part of -- and here I am, this first timer, coming in having to carry a lead role. It was just one of those things where I was just like, I must’ve done something right, because they picked me for this role, they chose me for this, so I’m gonna go and do it and hopefully it’ll be what they were looking for hopefully. Hopefully, it’ll be what they saw (in me initially). And I had such a good time. But like I said, Kevin Costner treated her very kindly and made her very comfortable on the set and she wanted to do that for me. And she did. She was always asking me if there was something I needed or if I felt comfortable. She was making faces at me if something was too serious. If I had a breakdown, she was right there and that was an amazing thing, because she didn’t have to do that. I mean, hello, it’s Whitney Houston! She’s incredible. She’s this amazing, amazing superstar and she became my friend and it was an amazing thing to be able to experience. But now, I definitely want to be able to promote this movie as best as I can, because it was her baby. She wanted this movie so bad and she looked so incredible in it and I just want to be able to promote it as well as I can and represent it the way she would want me to.
EBONY.com: And you weren’t too shabby, either. I saw you shoot a couple of scenes and your co-stars were very complimentary about the work you turned in. I know the film is still being cut right now, but have you heard any feedback on it from producers?
Sparks: I don’t even know. I haven’t even seen it yet. I want to see a cut. I’m, like, waiting for this edit to come around so I can see. Debra Martin-Chase got to see it, (and) she came up to me and she was like, ‘you have no idea what’s coming …’ And I was like, ‘OK! I don’t know how I feel about you saying that, but hey, I don’t know what’s coming next.’ I’m not prepared for it, but I’m ready to take it on, so we’ll see how it goes.
EBONY.com: Well what can you say is coming next. Are you thinking about new music? Or more focused on making more films?
Sparks: I’m trying to do new music, for sure, but it’s definitely one of those things where now with all of the promotion for the movie coming up, my mind is in all different places. But I’ve recorded a couple of songs. Hopefully I can get some good stuff out, but this soundtrack and the movie is really what I’m trying to focus on. And hopefully this movie will open up other doors for me to do some more acting or maybe another Broadway role will come up, but we’ll see. I’m just kind of like bracing myself.

http://www.ebony.com/entertainment-culture...itney-houston/2


This post has been edited by jordinbsparks: Mar 13th 2012, 2:49 PM

[jdanton2]

it looks like Jordin performed One Step At A Time.


http://www.huffingtonpost.com/princeton-ir..._b_1345615.html


Dreaming Big: Life After the Academy
Posted: 03/14/2012 4:47 pm



The sessions are done, the shows are finished, and the trip is over, but the journey towards a successful life is just beginning. The Disney's Dreamers Academy with Steve Harvey and Essence magazine sent the class of 2012 off inspired, motivated, encouraged, and prepared to start working on their dreams. Students had the opportunity to participate in multiple "deep dive" sessions, workshops with career professionals that gave them a well-rounded look into various professions. On the last night of the Academy, students participated in something called: "Open Mouse," a social mixer where students had the opportunity to mingle and network with industry executives, professionals and one another. It was also a time for students to showcase the work that they had produced while in their deep dive sessions. Presentations ranged from watercolor paintings to dress making to roller coaster design, and there was even a dance piece in the mix. As I talked to the various dreamers, I learned just how in-depth these sessions really were. One young lady reported that in her medical session, she learned about tumors and how the surgical process works to remove them from the human body. How's that for deep?

Although I was not a member of this year's Dreamers Academy class, I still got to participate in some "deep dives" of my own. I conducted interviews with various celebrities, mentors, and several of the Dreamers who were attending the academy. I got to learn the "ins-and-outs" of being a journalist and a filmmaker. I not only conducted the interviews, but I was able to watch the editing process and even see some of the logistical planning and business that goes along with reporting the news. Every single moment was filled with meeting new people, and learning how to be a working journalist. I also had the chance to tell my story as a Dreamer on a panel with executive champion of the Dreamers Academy for Disney Parks and Resorts Ms. Tracey Walters-Powell along with my three fellow alumni: singing sensation Niki Dawson, who took her inspiration from Dreamers Academy all the way to the TV show The Voice, Taylor Thomas, who is now a part of the Walt Disney College Program, and Tevyn Cole, who started a t-shirt company called "School Me."

Through meeting the many celebrities and talking with them, I learned that they were not there just for show or publicity but they came because they had a heart for transferring their knowledge and inspiration to a generation of young people. Celebrities like Terrence J from BET TV's 106 and Park show spent the entire weekend inspiring Dreamers, even when the cameras were not around. This element of selfless giving was even more evident when I had the opportunity to sit down with CNN Anchor and author Soledad O'Brien. After telling her personal and professional story and giving words of inspiration to the Dreamers during Saturday's lunch, Ms. O'Brien left to take her young daughter off for some fun in the Magic Kingdom. However, upon hearing that a couple of aspiring journalist/Dreamers wanted to meet her, she returned later that evening. She was not on program schedule nor did she have any assigned duties, but simply returned to meet and talk to me and Taylor Thomas. What was originally supposed to be a fifteen minute meet-and-greet stretched into almost an hour as she answered our many questions and shared her wisdom into our lives through her own experiences. After Ms. O'Brien left, I was truly in awe at how eager and open she was to invest in our lives. And, I realized that this type of sincerity is woven into every thread of the Disney's Dreamers Academy.

Disney's Dreamers Academy culminated with a commencement ceremony that tied the whole weekend together. Gospel singer Yolanda Adams gave a spirited rendition of "I Believe I Can Fly" which brought the entire room to their feet. Mikki Taylor of Essence magazine encouraged the Dreamers to "clear the weeds of bad friends and other distractions from their lives, and to start planting seeds and making investments into their dreams." Singer Jordin Sparks gave the final address to the Dreamers, right before performing her hit song "One Step at a Time." Five of the Dreamers were awarded Spirit Awards by their peers, and three dreamers walked away with summer internships with Essence magazine and the National Association of Black Journalists. The most touching part of the ceremony, however, was the presentation of the Dreamers class ring, where each dreamer took a moment to embrace their parent or guardian that had invested in them by bringing them to the Academy.

The theme for this year's academy was: The Power of a Dream. As I thought about all the activities that occurred over the weekend, I asked myself: "So what is the power of a dream?" I learned that the power of a dream is the ability to sustain your focus through any circumstance. Having a dream conditions someone to see what is possible, not what is current or "the norm." Having a dream makes someone push past their failures, obstacles, deficiencies and move towards progress, achievement and better living.

I think CNN Education Contributor and school principal Dr. Steve Perry summed it up best when he said, "a dream without action is just sleep."

This post has been edited by jdanton2: Mar 14th 2012, 4:06 PM

[jordinbsparks]

2 more videos here: http://www.ontheredcarpet.com/Whitney-Hous...s-Video/8580885

[jdanton2]

a longer interview here.


http://soundcloud.com/eurnews/jordin-sparks-dreamers-2012

[SpeezyBlaker_Grl]

An extravagant and emotional commencement took place on Sunday as singer and actress Jordin Sparks (pictured above, right, with Yolanda Adams) surprised the class with the keynote speech and a touching performance. Between the Dreamers, parents, and mentors, there wasn’t a dry eye in the house as the students received their class rings. Reaching its 500th participant, 2012 was truly a historic year for Disney’s Dreamers Academy. Each participant was forever changed by the experience. As Dreamer, Isis Davis of Chicago, IL said, “This helped me realize that anything is possible.”

Text from: http://s2smagazine.com/14798/disney-helps-...re-teens-dream/

Weekend Hot! or Hmmm... http://fashionbombdaily.com/2012/03/12/wee...union-and-more/

More photos here: http://www.ebony.com/photos/entertainment-...y#axzz2NAgatumy