Ten Orange County High School Students Receive
Disneyland Resort Scholarship for Excellence in
Community Service, Academics and Leadership

Anaheim, Calif. April 30, 2009 – For the fourth consecutive year, the Disneyland Resort presented a total of $50,000 in scholarships to 10 exemplary high school seniors for outstanding community service, academic excellence and overall leadership.

Each student receives a $5,000 scholarship to be used toward furthering their education. This year, the selected students were surprised at their schools by a “prize patrol” led by 2009 Disneyland Resort Ambassador Danielle DuBois. The scholarship recipients were congratulated with personalized 2009 mortarboard Mickey Mouse ears and an invitation to a celebratory dinner at the Disneyland Resort May 6, at which they will dine with local government officials, nonprofit leaders, judges and Disney executives.

“Disneyland Resort is proud to recognize these future leaders who share our passion for community service and volunteerism,” said Ed Grier, president of Disneyland Resort. “Collectively, these 10 outstanding students have volunteered an astonishing 8,000 hours of service while maintaining a focus on their education. Through these scholarships, we are happy to contribute to their continued success.”

The recipients of the 2008-2009 Disneyland Resort scholarship program include:

Aiyana Bobrownicki of Irvine – attends Sage Hill School, Newport Coast

Lauren Brashears of Orange – attends Lutheran High School of Orange County, Orange

Joanna Chen of Anaheim – attends Loara High School, Anaheim

Tiffany Chen of Brea – attends Troy High School, Fullerton

Trevor Geller of Foothill Ranch – attends Trabuco Hills High School, Mission Viejo

Amanda Jeries of Orange – attends Orange County High School of the Arts, Santa Ana

Shelby Kwait of Laguna Niguel – attends Dana Hills High School, Dana Point

Andrew Morrow of Newport Beach – attends Corona del Mar High School, Newport Beach

Aditya Pai Dhungat of Irvine – attends Northwood High School, Irvine

Malinda Seu of Orange – attends El Modena High School, Orange

A distinguished panel of judges reviewed more than 130 applications and selected the 10 college-bound students to receive the scholarships. The judges included:

Ralph Brennan – President, The Ralph Brennan Restaurant Group

Lou Correa – California State Senator

Eileen Frere – Orange County Bureau Chief, ABC

William Habermehl – Orange County Superintendent of Schools

Sandra Hutchens – Orange County Sheriff

Andrea Manes – Owner, The Fun Starts Here!

Bobby McDonald – President and Executive Director, OC Black Chamber of Commerce

Tim Mead – Vice President of Communications, Los Angeles Angels of Anaheim

Jeremy Yamaguchi – 2007 Disneyland Resort Scholarship Recipient and Placentia City Council Member

David Zschernig – 2008 Disneyland Resort VoluntEAR of the Year

All scholarship applicants were recognized for their commitment to community service – their combined efforts totaled a staggering 83,000 hours of volunteer time. In recognition of their efforts, each qualified applicant received two Disneyland Resort park hopper tickets. Each applicant also received The President’s Volunteer Service Award (PVSA), which recognizes individuals, families and groups that have achieved a minimum number of community service hours during a 12-month period. The PVSA is designed to thank and honor those who inspire others to engage in volunteer service through their community involvement. Recipients receive an official PVSA pin, a personalized certificate and a note of congratulations from the President of the United States.

“We are grateful to the Disneyland Resort for its long-standing and strong support of education in Orange County,” said William M. Habermehl, Orange County Superintendent of Schools. “The Disneyland Resort continually establishes impactful programs that celebrate the educational and community achievements of our students.”

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