Why Are They All Looking Up?
Country Cuisine Confidential, Part 4: Brazil
At Disney, All That Glows Does Not Explode
George Roush Lets His Hair Down at Rapunzel Event
Doing Things at Disney in the Dark
Intern Invents Polyglot Fish of Wallaby Way
In this week's on-line edition of the Eastern Echo, a long-running newspaper for students of Eastern Michigan University, Janis Tsai profiles EMU graduate and Disney ImagiNation finalist Laura Whitbeck.
The ImagiNations Design Competition, held yearly by Walt Disney Imagineering, is a chance for students to develop a Disney-themed project and for finalists to present their ideas to a panel of Disney Imagineers, with the winners receiving 'Best in Show' awards (and potentially internships, as well). The focus is on technical innovation built upon core Disney concepts - the same approach taken by actual Imagineers.
Whitbeck's presentation, a humorous pitch for Wallaby Way and its inhabitants, multi-lingual fish who live in the shadow of an active volcano (wonder in how many languages they're able to shout: "watch out, hot lava!"), earned her a 10-month internship with Disney Worldwide Safety and Accessibility in Florida.
While there she'll live free in Disney housing as she masters the magic from Disney notables like Joe Rohde, the Imagineer-in-Chief of the Animal Kingdom.
The 2011 competition begins in January. For details, an application, and videos of past projects, visit the ImagiNations site.
As for Laura Whitbeck: when her internship ends, she hopes to become a spotlight speaker for the Disney College Program. And it all started with multi-lingual fish.