More Disney Cast Life Stories

Olympic Dreams Come True for a Cast Member’s Daughter

Lindsay Broadhurst

by , Internal Communications Manager, Disney Signature Experiences

“Stay healthy, humble and hungry.” That’s what Disney Vacation Club cast member DuWayne Whitney told his then seven-year-old daughter, Kaylin, when she told him she wanted to be an Olympian.

Kaylin worked toward this dream since she was a kindergartener, running races in her school’s field day events. By the age of 10, she was breaking Amateur Athletic Union records in track and field.

Young Kaylin competing in track and field events
Left: Kindergarten Field Day in 2005 where DuWayne and Kerrie first realized how talented Kaylin was. Right: AAU National Club Championships for Track and Field at the ESPN Wide World of Sports Complex at Walt Disney World Resort in 2005.

Kaylin’s mom, Kerrie Dworetsky, also works for Disney, as a server in EPCOT at The Garden Grill Restaurant.

Kaylin at EPCOT with her parents
Left: DuWayne and Kaylin at EPCOT after winning a Gold Medal for the Women’s Individual 200-meter and the Anchored 4×100-meter relay in the 2015 Pan Am Games. Right: Kerrie and Kaylin at EPCOT during the International Food & Wine Festival.

Kerrie shared, “Kaylin grew up being a true Disney kid. When she talks to the other athletes in Tokyo, she tells them her parents work for Disney. They are always so amazed!”

Baby Kaylin and Minnie Mouse
Kaylin and Minnie Mouse in 1998 at Garden Grill—her first trip to Walt Disney World Resort.

To add to her journey, the pandemic caused the 2020 Olympics to be postponed until this year. DuWayne said the pandemic was a blessing in disguise for Kaylin. “The extra year gave Kaylin time to learn more about herself and really focus on who she was. She became a vegan and actually switched events moving up to the 400-meters and finished 5th at the U.S.A. Olympic Trials becoming an alternate in the Relay pool,” he explained.

In a recent interview Kaylin said, “This is what never giving up looks like.” Kaylin pushed through the adversity of becoming a professional athlete early on, to running meets internationally and truly reinventing who she was as an athlete.

Kaylin at the U.S.A. Olympic Track and Field Trials
The moment Kaylin received her confirmation that she would be an Olympian—U.S.A. Olympic Track and Field Trials, June 2021.

While spectators are not allowed to travel to the 2021 games, Kaylin’s family will be watching and cheering her and Team U.S.A. on from Orlando, FL. Kerrie’s Garden Grill family even put together a package of letters and pictures for Kaylin to put on her walls in her room to remind her that she’s not alone.

Kaylin in her room at the Tokyo Olympic Village
Kaylin in her room at the Tokyo Olympic Village.

“After the year we’ve had, being able to watch Team U.S.A. be the shining light for our country—and Kaylin to be a part of it—is phenomenal. I can cry just thinking about her being an Olympian,” DuWayne said. “This is truly the most surreal feeling ever.”

Watch Kaylin Whitney compete at the Olympic Games in Tokyo by following the schedule below:

  • Friday, July 30 at 7:00 am ET: First round of the Mixed 4×400-meter relay
  • Saturday, July 31 at 8:35 am ET: Mixed 4×400-meter relay finals
  • Thursday, August 5 at 6:35 am ET: First round of the Women’s 4×400-meter relay
  • Saturday, August 7 at 8:30 am ET: Women’s 4×400-meter relay finals

The races are played live in the morning and replayed each night.

Send Kaylin and Team U.S.A. your good luck wishes in the comments below!

Topics: Disney Cast Life

Comments

  • What a great success story! Best of luck in Tokyo, Kaylin!

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