LAKE BUENA VISTA, Fla., May 9, 2006 – Shining a spotlight on students that demonstrate outstanding character and achievement, Walt Disney World Resort today honored three

Central Florida students as recipients of the DisneyHand Shining Star Award during a ceremony at Epcot.   

The three winners – one each at the elementary, middle and high school level – were chosen from more than 500 students in Orange, Lake, Polk, Osceola and Seminole Counties  During the ceremony, 100 finalists were also honored. Schools nominated hundreds of students. A select panel of community leaders and Walt Disney World Cast Members chose the top 3 winners and finalists.  

The winners of the 2006 DisneyHand Shining Star Award include:  

 

Elementary School: Kristin Detroyer,

Michigan Avenue

Kristin is an award-winning fifth grader in

St. Cloud: 1st place National Speech Winner; 1st runner up Miss Pre-teen Florida Scholarship; All County Chorus and “Central Floridian of the Month” for Outstanding Volunteer and Community Service by Channel 13 News-Orlando. The honor roll student is an inspiring role model, named Youth Volunteer of the Year by the

Orlando Regional Medical Center   

 

Middle School: Julie Mahoney,

Lawton Chiles Middle Academy

Eighth-grader Julie Mahoney has been a straight A student during her entire academic career! Student Council president this year and class representative since the 6th grade, Julie is known for her commitment to academics, basketball, soccer and helping others. Among her many volunteer projects last year, the

Lakeland teenager helped raise funds for Tsunami and Hurricane victims.    

 

High School: Hoang Le,

Winter Haven High (Polk Co.)

 Hoang has a grade point average of 4.35 and ranks ninth in his class of 332 seniors. The teenager from

Winter Haven has inspired and amazed his teachers and classmates earning top honors from the National Honor Society, a “Who’s Who Among American Colleges    

The three DisneyHand Shining Star Award winners will receive Walt Disney World Annual Passes for themselves and their immediate family. All Dreamers and Doers receive four theme park tickets, a certificate and a special pin. The 100 finalists also receive a Disney Dreamers and Doers trophy.  

The goal of Walt Disney World’s community initiative, DisneyHand—Helping Kids Shine, is to engage children in society by creating healthy, guiding relationships with adults, providing constructive free time activities, offering character-building opportunities, and encouraging a sense of compassion for others, while helping those children who face adversity.  

In 2005, Walt Disney World Resort donated $23.2 million in cash and in-kind support to the community. Walt Disney World Cast Members also volunteered more than 203,000 hours to benefit local non-profit organizations.

PHOTO: DisneyHand Shining Star Award Winner poses with Mickey, Minnie, and the WDW Ambassadors