Author: Tammy Lane • First Posted: Wednesday, March 04, 2009

Demetrius Pennie was the only Kentucky student selected for the 2009 Disney's Dreamers Academy. (Photo: Tammy L. Lane)

Demetrius Pennie has big dreams of becoming a professional chef. And after cooking alongside the Food Network’s Chef Jeff, the Bryan Station High School freshman is even more committed to achieving his goals.

Jeff Henderson was among the celebrities and athletes who recently shared their stories with teens at the four-day Disney’s Dreamers Academy in Orlando. More than 4,000 students were nominated for the once-in-a-lifetime opportunity. Demetrius was among the 100 – and the only teen from Kentucky – selected.

For Demetrius, a highlight was spending time with Chef Jeff. He and a handful of other students skipped an Epcot day trip for the chance to help him prepare a meal. “I separated the cornbread and put it on the platter,” Demetrius said proudly. “They called me ‘future chef.’”

“It was really fun. I don’t know if I could ever get another opportunity like that – ever.”

The Dreamers Academy, in partnership with nationally syndicated radio personality Steve Harvey, encourages teenagers to prepare for the future. The program exposes students to creative and nontraditional career opportunities in everything from culinary arts to animation, set design and show production to the business of sports – urging them to exceed the boundaries of their imaginations.

The kids spent Feb. 12-15 at the Walt Disney World Resort in Florida soaking in workshops, hearing from prominent professionals and learning how to network. Harvey spoke with the group daily.

“He just wanted to talk to us and be real,” Demetrius said. “He just told us to dream. Anything you put your mind to, you can do it.”

Demetrius also was impressed with actress Monique Coleman from “High School Musical,” who told of ripping up an $800 paycheck early in her career. “That was really inspirational to me – to know that you’re worth more than what people say you are,” he said.

Still, his favorite was Chef Jeff, whose story included a stint in prison. “It took him a month just to be a dishwasher when he got out. It showed how people can turn their life around when they get a second chance,” Demetrius recalled.

The Bryan Station ninth-grader said the Dreamers Academy helped him realize how successful people often have to overcome obstacles in life. “It opened my eyes and made me see what’s ahead of me,” Demetrius said. “There’s a lot of hard work to be a chef.”

His mother, Nikaleigh Pennie, was grateful that her son had this opportunity.

“That’s his dream – to be a chef. And I’m going to support him all the way,” she said, adding, “When they say Disney is magical – that whole trip was magical.”