Ilana Marks, a third-year Anni Albers Scholar majoring in textile technology and art and design, grew up watching Walt Disney films and wanting to work in its animation department. Then last summer she learned about Walt Disney Imagineering and its annual ImagiNations University Competition.

The contest, open to students all across the United States, provides undergraduates majoring in fine arts, digital arts, theatrical design or creative writing an opportunity to design a theme park attraction, new experience, restaurant or hotel for nay of the Disney theme parks worldwide.

Marks entered the contest, putting in hours of hard work that was rewarded in March when she learned that she was one of the six national finalists.

Marks’ design for a Magic Kingdom Mary Poppins-themed restaurant called “Step in Time: A Dining Room to a Place of Enchantment” tied for third place and she received a $1,000 scholarship.

This experience ranks as one of the best I’ve ever had,” Marks says. “The competition was secondary to all we got to do and learn and all the people we got to meet and know.”

Thanks to Walt Disney Imagineering, Ilana Marks is finally granted the wish she made on a star long ago.