For most people, a teenage weekend job is a fleeting memory. For Connie Latulippe, it was the start of a 36-year career at Walt Disney World. Now a senior workforce analyst, she recently hit a milestone that no performance review could measure: watching both of her children clock in as cast members at the same resort where she built her life.
Her daughter Aiyana Bal and son Matthew Latulippe both work at Disney's Port Orleans resort — Bal keeping guests safe at the pool while Matthew serves up beignets. Growing up surrounded by Disney, including family cruises out of Port Canaveral and trips to Alaska, the siblings say their mother's dedication was impossible not to notice. "She's a very hard worker — inspired me to also work very hard to get what I want in life," Matthew said.
Beyond their shifts, both siblings are pursuing college degrees through Disney's Aspire education program at Valencia College. Bal has already earned her Associate in Arts degree and is planning to continue toward a bachelor's, while Matthew is expected to finish his degree this fall.
Connie Latulippe said the experience of watching her children grow within the company has been its own kind of magic. "It's been amazing watching them grow in the company and do the things they really want to do with their life," she said. Bal put it more simply: "She's everything. She's my world."
This story was originally reported by Spectrum News.
