Holmes alumna chosen for Prestigious Disney College Program

Holmes alumna chosen for Prestigious Disney College Program

Holmes Community College 2017 alumna Payton Earley of Brandon recently found out that she has been chosen for a coveted spot in the Disney College Program at the Walt Disney World Resort. Earley is currently a junior journalism major at Belhaven University and she will move to Orlando, Florida, on Jan. 22 to begin her semester-long internship.

"I'm super excited about participating in this program!" Earley said. "I found roommates and we have all been talking in a group message, getting to know one another. We are all just so excited and ready for it to begin! Right now all I know is that I'll be working in Quick Service Food and Beverage; I don't get my location or home park where I'll be stationed until a few weeks before I go down there."

The College Disney Program enables students to gain valuable, on-the-job experience working in the parks and resorts and allows them the opportunity to meet and live with people from all over the country and potentially the world. The five- to seven-month program allows participants to network with leaders, take part in personal and career development classes and build transferable skills such as problem-solving, teamwork, guest service and effective communication.

"I'm just thrilled this opportunity worked out because I know it will be both fun and a great learning tool for future endeavors," Earley said.

Already a proven leader, as a student at Holmes Community College Earley was president of Phi Theta Kappa honor society, editor of Horizons yearbook and a member of the 2016 Homecoming Court. She has her own freelance business, Payton Earley Photography, and worked at The Preschool at First Ridgeland while she completed her degree at Holmes.

"As Payton's former Phi Theta Kappa advisor, I am absolutely ecstatic that she has been chosen for the Disney Program!" said Blair Booker, Holmes librarian and Phi Theta Kappa adviser. "I think she will learn and grow so much and have a lot of good times while gaining valuable experiences and connections. I look forward to hearing about her time at Disney!"

For more information about Holmes Community College, visit www.holmescc.edu.

For more information about the College Disney Program, visit https://jobs.disneycareers.com/disney-college-program.

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IN THIS PHOTO:

Pictured is Payton Earley, a 2017 Holmes alumna, who was chosen for the College Disney Program. Currently a junior at Belhaven University, Earley will begin the program in the spring of 2018.