(May 21, 2008) In celebration of the �Year of a Million Dreams,� the Disneyland Resort presented scholarships totaling $55,000 to 11 Orange County high school students participating in the third annual Disneyland Resort Scholarship Program. Scholarship winners were announced today in a ceremony at Disney�s California Adventure park.  

 �These are remarkable students that are generous with their time and dedicate themselves to serving their communities,� said Disneyland Resort President Ed Grier. �We hope that these scholarships will contribute to their continued education and volunteer service.�

A distinguished panel of judges reviewed 130 applications and selected 11 college-bound students to receive a $5,000 scholarship based on their passion in the areas of volunteerism, exceptional leadership abilities and academic excellence. The judges included:

Dr. Silas H. Abrego, associate vice president of student affairs, California State University, Fullerton

Erin Gruwell, former teacher, motivational speaker and author of The Freedom Writers

Lynn April Hartline, deputy superintendent, Orange County Department of Education

Shelley Hoss, president, Orange County Community Foundation

Wing Lam, founder, Wahoo�s Fish Tacos

Priscilla Lopez, president, Orange County Hispanic Chamber of Commerce

Lawrence M. Riley, vice president, Circulation, Orange County Register Communications

Cameron Rossman, firefighter/paramedic, Santa Ana Fire Department

John Welter, Anaheim police chief

Wyland, marine life artist and environmental activist

Agar Yanulaytis, 2007 Disneyland Resort VoluntEAR of the Year 

Typically, the Disneyland Resort Scholarship is awarded to 10 Orange County high school seniors, however this year in commemoration of the �Year of a Million Dreams,� an additional $5,000 scholarship was awarded. The recipients of the 2007-2008 Disneyland Resort scholarship program include:

Ana Marcella Dela Cruz - University High School, Irvine

Amy Shah - Oxford Academy, Cypress

Albert Chen - Oxford Academy, Cypress

Kelsey Clark - Trabuco Hills High School, Mission Viejo

Khai-Hoan Huynh - Westminster High School, Westminster

Diana Rios - Loara High School, Anaheim

Vivian Yee - University High School, Irvine

Stephanie Jaw - Villa Park High School, Villa Park

Kaitlyn Spore - Mission Viejo High School, Mission Viejo

Justin Cooper - John F. Kennedy High School, La Palma

Kelsey Calhoun - Brea Olinda High School, Brea

 All 130 scholarship applicants were recognized for their commitment to community service � their combined efforts totaling 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 for the Disneyland Resort's long-standing and strong support of education within Orange County,� said William M. Habermehl, Orange County superintendent of schools. �The Disneyland Resort continually establishes programs that make a difference in the community, and it provides our students many opportunities for educational advancement.�

-- Posted May 22, 2008