Dreamer and Doer

Each year Walt Disney World invites school districts across the state to select a Disney Dreamer and Doer. The Disney Dreamers and Doers program recognizes students who possess Curiosity, Confidence, Courage and Constancy - the qualities that Walt Disney so admired.

Students complete a form listing their school activities and activities outside of school (such as sports, music, theater, dance, visual arts, scouting, church, synagogue, mosque, community volunteer work, etc.) This year they decided to mix it up a bit. In order to celebrate the whatever year anniversary since they have been doing this, the focus was on COMMUNITY SERVICE. When Tino brought the form home, I threw. it. in. the. garbage. can. Yes. And then we had to fish it out of the garbage can the next day when Tino told me it was homework and EVERYONE had to fill out a form.

I came to a harsh realization. How many countless hours upon hours have I toted my kids all around town as I do my community service schpeel???? They have learned to follow me around as I do my community stuff . . . canvasing neighborhoods for politicians, being active attending school board meetings, Port Commission meetings (when living in CA), PTA, School Advisory Committee, Cub Master for the community pack, and later den leader for church tri-pack, 5th Grade Banquet Committee, and that's not even taking into consideration the countless hours spent doing church callings (Young Women Presidency, Primacy Presidency, etc. etc. etc. ) But with all this hauling around town and spending countless hours doing community service, HAVE I TAUGHT MY OWN CHILDREN HOW TO SERVE IN THE COMMUNITY?????? And the answer would be NO. Ouch.

So I made a mental note to self that I really need to be a better mother and teach my kiddos the value of serving others and watched as Tino filled out his Disney Dreamer and Doer application. He included the community service such as School Beautification Committee, Mentor, Reading Buddy, being a teacher helper, Cub Scouts: Neighborhood Clean-up and Scouting for Food, Faith in God: Helping to plan and carry out a quarterly activity for the primary children.

Apparently the 128 5th graders that applied for Disney Dreamer and Doer had less community service than Tino. He ended up being one of the three finalists for the school. And then came the interview with 10 adults including the principal, assistant principal, guidance counselor, librarian, and the 6 fifth grade teachers. Of the experience, Tino said "Mom, that was a really nerve-wracking experience. Do you know how difficult it is to be in a room with ten adults asking you a bunch of questions and you're the only kid in the entire room?" To that, I replied "That was a great experience. When you are a professional baseball player, you will be interviewed all the time."

So the inside scoop (given to me straight from Tino's favorite 4th grade teacher), is that he did awesome on the interview. The 3rd finalist was no longer in the running. It was neck and neck between Tino and another girl that had loads and loads of service. Although Samantha won on the school level, Tino is still my DREAMER and DOER. I'm very proud of him.