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Local teen accepted to dream college, receives $75K in scholarships during HBCU Week

LAKE BUENA VISTA, Fla. — A little Disney magic has made one local high school student’s dream come true during HBCU College Week.

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On Friday, Maynard Evans Senior High School student Djahnel Reid was accepted on the spot by Bethune-Cookman University, her dream school, and awarded a total of $75,000 in scholarship money.

Of the scholarship money, $50,000 was awarded by Propel, powered by Southern Company, plus an additional $25,000 from BCU.

READ: Walt Disney World kicks off HBCU Week

Drum Major Mickey Mouse, Walt Disney World Ambassador Raevon Redding and Disney on the Yard executives were on hand at ESPN Wide World of Sports Complex for the celebratory moment.

Reid is an ambassador of Elevate Orlando, according to a news release. She has a 4.2 GPA and hopes to become an accountant or real-estate mogul, the news release states.

READ: 9 things to do this weekend in Central Florida

More than 6,000 students from the area and beyond, as well as 53 historically Black colleges and universities attended the college fair Friday, according to the news released. More than $10 million in scholarships were awarded, a record for the event.

To read more about HBCU Week at Walt Disney World Resort, click here.

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Adam Poulisse, WFTV.com

Adam Poulisse joined WFTV in November 2019.