Langel Selected To Disney College Program

A childhood dream of working for Disney is one step closer for Sullivan Class of 2023 graduate and soon-to-be East Central College graduate, Maggie Langel, who received the email of her lifetime this past week. Langel has been accepted to the Disney College Program at Disney World in Orlando, Florida.

Langel, who will graduate from East Central College in December with an associate’s degree in business, submitted her application to the program on Aug. 22.

“It’s been a dream of mine to do this since I was 10 years old,” said Langel. “I knew about this program through school and into college and really wanted to be accepted. After an interview over the phone and putting myself through all kinds of stress about it, I got accepted.”

Langel is one of only 20 percent of graduates who are accepted into the program. They will be taught a full week on the background of Disney traditions. The first day of work in the program is scheduled for Jan. 6, 2025.

“When I first found out I was accepted my mom was filming as I opened the email from Disney,” said Langel. “I was having bad dreams days before that I wouldn’t get accepted and trying to prepare myself just in case, but when I saw the email I was excited and so was my family.”

Langel will be working and being educated in attractions. The program lasts through August with potential for a full year of training into January 2026.

“My ultimate goal is to become a full-time Disney employee with the company, living and working from there,” Langel said. 

Langel has accomplished many things while growing up in Sullivan, with a successful run in the SHS Marching Band, being all-conference for five years, all-district for two years, competing in a trio at state band, being acknowledged in the Missouri Music Educators Association in eighth grade and her senior year.She also was the second runner-up in the  2024 Meramec Community Fair Queen Scholarship Program.

“I grew up watching Disney with my parents and have just had a love for it,” said Langel. “I’ve only been to Disney World once in 2019 and can’t wait to begin this next chapter going into the program.”

Langel is the daughter of Dustin and Sara Langel and has a younger brother Xavier, who also attends Sullivan schools.

Langel has been working part-time at Sullivan Printing, Sullivan Independent News and Missouri Possum Radio.