UPPER DARBY — Each spring, 100 exceptional young people arrive at the Disney Dreamers Academy in Orlando, Fla., with ambition, excitement and hopes for the future.
Khandakar Mahin, a senior at Upper Darby High School was selected to be one of those lucky 100 students, selected from thousands of applicants across the nation, for the Disney Dreamers Academy, Class of 2026.
Khandakar heads to Walt Disney World Resort for this chance of a lifetime, March 26-29.
Disney Dreamers are selected for this special opportunity, because they are creative, eager to learn and dedicated to pursuing their dreams with passion. Each “Disney Dreamer” will hopefully return home after the experience, with the motivation, guidance and skills to help make their dreams come true.
The Disney Dreamers Academy participants have the opportunity to get energized by mentors who blazed their own trails to success, expand their horizons at career workshops, and develop useful skills for success, such as networking, dressing for success and more.
Khandakar applied for the competitive national program, he says, to take advantage of its mentorship, leadership development, and career exploration.
“I’m honored to be one of only four students from Pennsylvania selected this year,” Khandakar said proudly. “There has never been a representative from Delaware County in the program’s history,”
Khandakar Mahin, a senior at Upper Darby High School, was selected to attend Disney Dreamers Academy in Orlando, Florida, from March 26-29, to build more leadership skills and make his future dreams come true. (COURTESY PHOTO)
Khandakar serves as the School Board Student Representative for the Upper Darby School District, where he engages regularly with students, families, teachers, and administrators to share student perspectives and concerns.
He is also an avid literary researcher. His writing and research were nationally recognized by the National English Honor Society in 2025, when he earned an all-expenses-paid trip to the Sigma Tau Delta English Convention in Pittsburgh to present his analysis of two books on a national stage.
“Opportunities like the Disney Dreamers Academy are especially meaningful as I pursue a future in leadership,” the outstanding student said.
Those accepted into Disney Dreamers Academy, including Khandakar, receive complimentary airfare, hotel accommodations and theme park tickets for themselves and a parent or guardian. Conducted on stage and behind the scenes, the theme parks become vibrant “classrooms” where Dreamers imagine bright futures, make exciting discoveries and learning how to put their plans into action. Dreamers also have the opportunity to explore the magic behind the scenes and have free time to enjoy Walt Disney World Resort theme parks.
According to the Disney Dreamers Academy website, all applicants must be high school students between 13 and 19 years old. Six characteristics make student applicants stand out from the thousands of other applicants with whom they are competing for the 100 spots, and they include intellectual curiosity, compassion of caring for others, courage of facing obstacles with maturity and poise, a positive outlook and a generous spirit, and optimism about the future.
Asked about his future aspirations and dreams, Khandakar shared, “Though I have not been accepted yet, I have aspirations of attending Harvard College in order to pursue concentrations in computer science, government and economics, to become an artificial intelligence researcher and policymaker. I hope to advocate and engineer for a safer and more responsible integration of AI in our society.”
For more information on Disney Dreamers Academy and how to apply or to follow the journey of the Disney Dreamers Academy’s Class of 2026, visit https://disneydreamersacademy.com.
PAC Center hosts Valentine’s Dance
Singles and couples are invited to Delco Dance Night, Valentine’s Day Edition.
It will be held Saturday, Feb. 14 at The Park Avenue Community (PAC) Center, 129 Park Ave., Swarthmore, from 7 to 10 p.m.
Tickets are $20 in advance or $25 at the door and include light snacks, non-alcoholic beverages and dancing to music by a DJ. Everyone must be 21 and older to attend the BYOB event.
For more information or tickets, call 267-405-1395 or go to http://thepac.center.
Members of the Propell Kids’ Foundation (PKF) presented the proceeds of their recent golf outing to The Community’s Foundation (TCF) for local children and families in need. At the presentation, from left, Diedre Konar, TCF; Ryan Conte, PKF; Kevin Morrissey, PKF; Marc Dungee, PKF; Tom Southmayd, TCF; and Gary Golden, CEO of Propell Credit Union. (COURTESY OF PROPELL)
Recent golf outing drives new funding for Delco nonprofits supporting kids
The Propell Kids’ Foundation recently hosted its annual golf outing, gathering business leaders, nonprofit partners, and community supporters from all over the county.
The event raised $32,000, and every dollar will go to local nonprofits that help children and families in need in Delaware County.
Propell Credit Union started the Propell Kids’ Foundation to make sure local donations stay in the community and make a difference.
The foundation has raised and invested more than $180,000 in groups focused on education, family stability, trauma recovery and youth development.
For the 2025-26 grant cycle, the money raised from the golf outing will go to:
• Community Action Agency
• Family Support Line
• Domestic Abuse Project
• I Am My Sister’s Keeper
• Peter’s Place
• M.E. Carpenter for Suicide Awareness
• Champ1 Foundation
• Musicopia
• All for All Agency, and
• Pathways PA
“These organizations are on the front lines every day, supporting families and kids who need stability, care, and opportunity,” said Ryan Conte, chief revenue officer of Propell Credit Union. “The golf outing brings people together around a shared purpose; that is to make sure support reaches the groups doing the hardest, most meaningful work in our community.”
Recently, the foundation gave a check with the golf outing’s proceeds to The Community’s Foundation of Delaware County Hope for Children Fund. The check presentation highlights a shared commitment to thoughtful, community-based giving.
According to Gary Golden, CEO of Propell Credit Union, the Propell foundation reflects the credit union’s broader commitment to community well-being.
“Strong communities are built through partnerships,” Golden said. “The Propell Kids’ Foundation exists to support organizations that help families through difficult moments and strengthen the most at-risk, who are the future of our community.”
For more information about the Propell Kids Foundation, go to http://propellkids.org.
At the recent Rotary Club of Media’s new member induction ceremony are, from left, Jeffry Cadorette, past Rotary International director; Kristi Dick, club member who sponsored next in line Patton Vo, director of Campus Development for Penn State Brandywine; Shaun Bartole, cybersecurity engineer at Penn State Brandywine; James Little, Insurance and Financial Services, sponsored by Joe Fuhr (not pictured); Magdalena Pasciak, owner of Cafesphere; Vivane Furaha, life coach; Joshua Young, owner of Chosen Tweed, with their sponsors, Scott Davidson and Mina Yi-Merizalde, the current president of the Media Rotary. (COURTESY OF MEDIA ROTARY CLUB)
Rotary Club of Media inducts new members
The Rotary Club of Media inducted six new members into the club at a recent meeting.
Past Rotary International Director Jeffry Cadorette, a member of the Media club, conducted the induction ceremony, urging the new members to embrace the full range of opportunities that Rotary provides.
New members are Patton Vo, director of Campus Development for Penn State Brandywine; Shaun Bartole, cybersecurity engineer at Penn State Brandywine; James Little, Insurance and Financial Services; Magdalena Pasciak, owner of Cafesphere; Vivane Furaha, life coach; and Joshua Young, owner of Chosen Tweed.
The club meets weekly at noon on Thursday at Margaret Kuo’s Kitchen at the Granite Run Promenade.
Everyone is welcome to attend a meeting to learn more about Rotary, the world’s first and largest service organization. To learn about the club and upcoming events, go to www.mediarotary.org.
American Legion to host Country Western Dance night
Sons of the American Legion, Manoa Post 667 will host a Country Western Dance Night.
The dance night is Saturday, Jan. 31 at 7 p.m. at Post 667, 1112 Steel Road, Havertown. Tickets are $30 in advance or $35 at the door and include dance instruction, as well as domestic bottle beer and wine, brisket, pulled pork, sides, salad and desserts.
All proceeds benefit veterans. For more information, call the post at 610-446-9986. Everyone over 21 is welcome.
The Academy Park Delco Hi-Q team is pictured taking the stage alongside distinguished guests. Academy Park High School in Sharon Hill hosted Strath Haven and Haverford High Schools in a Hi-Q match earlier this month. (COURTESY OF DELCO HI-Q)
Buzzers, bonus points, and big wins in Delco Hi-Q Round 2
Delco Hi-Q wrapped up Round Two of the season, showcasing strong performances, close competition, and standout teamwork from high schools across Delaware County.
On Jan. 12, Academy Park hosted Strath Haven and Haverford high schools in a fast-paced match where all three teams came out strong, each answering their first two questions correctly on the first try.
The event drew a large crowd, including elected officials, school board members, and school administrators.
By halftime, Strath Haven and Haverford were neck and neck, but the second half belonged to Strath Haven. The defending champions took control by answering consistently and capitalizing on bonus points to secure the win. Final scores were Strath Haven, 58; Haverford, 36; and Academy Park, 16.
The following day, Springfield High School welcomed Marple Newtown and the Academy of Notre Dame (NDA).
Marple Newtown dominated early, confidently answering their own questions and collecting bonus points to build a commanding halftime lead.
Springfield held second place with a 10-point advantage over NDA.
While Notre Dame gained momentum in the second half, they were unable to overtake Springfield, and Marple Newtown maintained its decisive victory.
Final scores were Marple Newtown, 58; Springfield, 23; and Academy of Notre Dame, 17.
Chichester High School hosted Delaware County Christian School (DCCS) and Interboro High School in a high-energy contest where the buzzer stayed busy.
All three teams earned bonus points, but DCCS pulled ahead with the most, finishing with an impressive score of 66.
Interboro and Chichester delivered solid performances scoring close to the season average. Final scores were DCCS, 66; Interboro, 32; and Chichester, 17.
The final contest of Round Two took place just before the major winter storm, with Garnet Valley and Ridley high schools traveling to Valley Forge Military Academy.
This marked the final Hi-Q contest hosted by VFMA before its closure.
Garnet Valley set the tone early, aggressively buzzing in and answering their own questions.
Ridley and VFMA battled closely for second place, with the home team ultimately finishing just ahead. Final scores were Garnet Valley, 55; Valley Forge Military Academy, 19; and Ridley, 17.
Each team has now competed twice this season and will have one final opportunity to earn points.
After Round Three, wildcard, playoff and championship placements will be determined, as the top nine teams will battle it out for the Donna Zerby Trophy.
Delco Hi-Q is a partnership between Delaware County Intermediate Unit (DCIU) and Franklin Mint Federal Credit Union Foundation.
FMFCU Vice President Rick Durante serves as director and quizmaster, FMFCU Corporate Social Responsibility Program Manager Danielle Griffin is Hi-Q assistant director, and DCIU’s Dave Bramble is the production engineer.
In addition to support from the 21 participating schools, Franklin Mint Federal Credit Union and the Wilbur C. and Betty Lea Henderson Foundation are the primary corporate sponsors. Additional support comes from longtime sponsor Kimberly-Clark Chester Operations and the Delaware County Daily Times.
For more current information about Delco Hi-Q, go to www.facebook.com/delcohiq.
Readers can send community news and photos to Peg DeGrassa at pdegrassa@21st-centurymedia.com.