Mckenzie Sussman
Staff Writer
Junior Rachel Clinton spent four days at an all-expense paid program at Disney World in Orlando, Florida to learn more about positive thinking and believing in one’s dreams.
Clinton was one of 10,000 applicants and one of 100 accepted students to attend the Disney Dreamers Academy. During the program, students listened to talks from professionals in various industries. The students were able to meet Steve Harvey, who is the creator of the program, and learn about some of his life experiences.
“After doing the program, I am more inspired than ever,” Clinton said. “I truly believe that the program changed my life. Even though the program was only four days long, I feel like i gained so much knowledge that I can apply to many other aspects of my life.”
When the students were not in the conferences, they had time to socialize and explore Disney World. They participated in “Deep Dive,” where the students were able to meet with Disney professionals from a professional that students seek an interest in.
“For Deep Dive, I went to Disney recording studio and got to play violin. They played my violin recording over a Disney song while some of the students sang,” Clinton said. “It was really cool for me to see how they produce music.”
During the program, Clinton was selected to give a pitch to an entire group about her program that Clinton co-founded called Music with Meaning. Music with Meaning is a free after school program where Mira Costa’s orchestra programs gives free weekly lessons to elementary students in Hermosa and Redondo Beach.
“I was inspired to start [Music with Meaning] when I discovered that many schools in Hermosa and Redondo Beach school districts do not have music programs like MBUSD does,” Clinton said. “This is our second year of Music with Meaning and I am so happy we get the opportunity to teach children how to play instruments they have never played before.”
After Clinton gave her pitch, Richelieu Dennis, the owner of Essence Magazine and Sundial Brands, offered to purchase 40 violins so Clinton can expand the program to a local school that doesn’t have a music program, allowing more students to have access to free music lessons.
“I am so thankful that [Richelieu Dennis] was so supportive of this idea and believed in my vision enough to offer financial assistance,” Clinton said. “I never expected this program to expand and come so far and it’s amazing to be able to spread music to kids who don’t normally have access to it.”
Although the program was only four days, Clinton has made many wonderful friendships with the students, Clinton said. One of Clinton’s peers is starting the Music with Meaning program at their school, so kids in his neighborhood can have access to free music lessons.
“After the program, I am going to continue pursuing my dreams and dreaming big,” Clinton said. “I know now that no dream is too big and I also plan to keep in touch with some of the other students and see where they go from here.”
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