By By Steve Gillespie/staff writer
Jan. 12, 2002
Four Meridian Community College students are leaving soon for a seven-month stay at Disney World to work, play and learn.
MCC is in partnership with the resort, which provides paid internships for college students to live and work at Disney World while taking classes that transfer as college credit. Twelve MCC students participated in the program last year.
Students who will be attending this year include Kenneth Carter, of Meridian, a freshman music education major; Trerica Roberson, of Louin, a freshman graphic design major; Michael Redhouse, of Philadelphia, a sophomore business and computer science major; and Latika Terrell, of Meridian, a sophomore university transfer student.
A reception for the students was held at Webb Hall on the MCC campus Friday.
Her mother, Marvia Roberson, who attended the reception, said the program is a great opportunity for her daughter.
Carter is leaving Monday for Disney World. He said he knows he will be working in the resort's entertainment department, but he does not know what his job will be. He said he will have a chance to audition as a Disney character or for a role in one of the productions staged at Disney World.
Some of the students who participated in the program last year lent their support and shared some of their experiences with this year's participants.
Andrea Nason, a sophomore advertising and public relations major at MCC, worked last year as an attractions hostess at the Festival of the Lion King production at Disney World's Animal Kingdom.
She said there were 6,500 college students from all around the world in the program when she was there. She said the students will have to work in groups with others from various places, such as Japan and New York.
She said the classes she took in business and leadership were informative and fun and she developed friendships that are still thriving because of her experience.
Deanna Wilson, a sophomore majoring in public relations and advertising at MCC was also in the internship last year. Her job was in quick food service at the resort's MGM Studios. She also said the experience was beneficial.
Dr. Scott Elliott, MCC president, told the students he is proud of them for participating in the program.
Walt Disney internships:
To apply for the Walt Disney World
College Internship, students must be currently enrolled in college and have completed at least one semester. They must also be in good academic standing and have a grade point average of 2.0 or higher. Students earn $6 an hour and work about 30 hours a week. Housing costs vary, based on the size of apartments available and students are assigned roommates. Internship positions include, but are not limited to the following:
Culinary assistant
Custodian
Hospitality
Lifeguard
Management
Sales-marketing
Recreation
Security
Photographer
Sports turf management
Horticulture
Warehouse support
Broadcasting