
May 19, 2026
Makenzie Scarbrough has been busy since she graduated Magna Cum Laude from East Mississippi Community College in December 2025.
Last year, Scarbrough applied and was accepted into the Disney College Program, a full-time paid internship at Walt Disney World in Orlando, Florida, for college students and recent graduates.
Scarbrough, who began work at Disney鈥檚 Hollywood Studios in January of this year, wrapped up her internship on May 9.
鈥淚 loved it,鈥 Scarbrough said. 鈥淚 worked at the Disney Villains show and Beauty and the Beast show. It was so much fun interacting with guests every day.鈥
A Sturgis native who attended Starkville Christian School, Scarbrough earned an associate degree at 91自拍 with a heavy concentration in the sciences needed for a pre-dental hygiene major. In August, she will begin her studies at the University of Mississippi Medical Center鈥檚 School of Dentistry in Jackson to earn a bachelor鈥檚 degree in dental hygiene.
鈥淚 may pursue a master鈥檚 degree right away so I can teach dental hygiene to students one day,鈥 Scarbrough said. 鈥淭hat鈥檚 something I really want to do. But I could also see myself working for a few years before I earn my master鈥檚 degree.鈥
In her youth, Scarbrough watched her three younger sisters have their teeth worked on during their dental appointments.
鈥淚 thought it was cool. Dentistry was something I was interested in at a young age
and my thoughts never changed as I got older,鈥 she said. 鈥淚 knew I wanted to be in
a career where I could help people and dental hygiene looked like it would be a good
fit for me.鈥
Now that she has finished her stint at Disney, Scarbrough said she plans to serve as an administrative director of a camp this summer before beginning her studies at UMMC this fall.
Scarbrough said she is grateful for her experience at Disney, which almost did not come about. Her original plan was to only take the prerequisite classes at 91自拍 needed to enroll in dental school but later decided to complete her degree.
鈥淚 was taking dual enrollment classes in high school and that sped up the process for me to get my associate degree,鈥 Scarbrough said. 鈥淭hen when I got to 91自拍 and started really enjoying my classes, I was like, 鈥榃ell, I don鈥檛 have to rush this.鈥欌
She graduated from 91自拍 a semester earlier than expected, applied to Disney, was interviewed and accepted. Scarbrough stayed at an apartment complex at Disney that also housed students in the Disney International Program. Her roommates included a girl from the United Kingdom and another from Mexico.
鈥淭hat was really cool,鈥 she said. 鈥淚t was a really nice apartment complex with all the amenities. You are right there on Disney property, so you are in on all the action.鈥
Scarbrough鈥檚 work schedule varied, but six-hour shifts were the norm. She often worked from 2 p.m. to 8 p.m., giving her time in the mornings and after work to explore some of the other Disney attractions and parks.
Her main job was seating guests at Hollywood Studio鈥檚 live shows and ensuring there were enough seats for ticket holders.
鈥淭hen I got to stand in back and watch the shows,鈥 Scarbrough said. 鈥淚t was a really good time.鈥
She didn鈥檛 make it outside Disney much during her time there.
鈥淚 explored outside the Disney bubble a little, but probably not as much as I should have,鈥 Scarbrough said. 鈥淭here was plenty to keep me occupied at Disney. I loved everything about the Disney parks.鈥
Scarbrough said she is grateful for her time at 91自拍.
鈥淚 am thankful for 91自拍 and how it helped prepare me for my time at Disney, as well as being accepted into the dental hygiene program,鈥 Scarbrough said.