VHS Student Presents at International Conference
Vicksburg High School senior Adelynn Beery recently earned national recognition after becoming the only high school student selected to present at a major international professional conference.
Beery presented her research at the International Association of Amusement Parks and Attractions (IAAPA) Expo in Orlando, Florida, the premier global conference for professionals in theme parks, attractions, and experiential design. The event draws industry leaders from around the world, including representatives from Disney, Universal, zoos, water parks, and universities.
Beery’s work originated in her AP Research class at VHS during the 2024–25 school year, where she studied methods for measuring cultural representation in culturally themed parks. Through that work, she connected with a professional in the field who encouraged her to submit a proposal to IAAPA. Her research was accepted as a poster presentation, a rare honor for a student still in high school.
“AP Research was, without a doubt, my favorite class I’ve ever taken,” Beery said. “I never would’ve written the paper without it, let alone made it this far.” She explained that the course closely mirrors professional research expectations. “At the end of the year, we drafted academic posters to simulate professional research, and this was actually the poster I ended up presenting at the conference.”
Beery noted that the class also prepared her for live questions from industry experts. “The other major aspect of our AP score was a slideshow presentation and response to oral defense questions. This helped immensely when I was presenting. I was already prepared with on-the-spot answers.”
Presenting at IAAPA proved to be a defining moment.
“The presentation itself was both nerve-wracking and exhilarating,” Beery said. “I was, for the full day, acutely aware of some of the professionals in that room- designers from legendary theme parks like Disney and Universal, and professors from universities like UCF and Texas A&M.”
During the conference, Beery met a longtime personal hero, the former president of Walt Disney Imagineering. “He spoke to me about my project, my future, and his road to success,” she said. “That conversation reinforced my desire to design experiences that balance technical precision with emotional and educational impact.”
Beery and her mother also spent time exploring the massive expo floor. They were able to view the lights and water displays, animatronics from around the world, VR experiences, and much more.
In a thank-you letter to the Vicksburg Community Schools Foundation, which provided a grant to support travel costs, Beery described the experience as unforgettable. “If you have seen the Pixar movie Inside Out, recall the ‘core memories’ referenced in the movie,” she wrote. “I can say with certainty that I developed a ‘core memory’ on this trip.”
Also in her thank you letter to the Vicksburg Community Schools Foundation, Beery said the support the foundation provides for Vicksburg students is invaluable. “Your investment in students like me reaches far beyond a single project or trip—it opens doors, fuels confidence, and creates opportunities that shape who we become.”
As one of the youngest presenters, Beery said the experience was surreal. “I had several people ask me if it was my graduate project,” she said. “Everyone was incredibly kind and complimentary of both my work and of Vicksburg’s programs.”
Looking ahead, Beery plans to pursue a career in engineering and themed entertainment design. She has applied to several universities and expects to make a final decision later this winter. She hopes to study engineering with a minor in themed entertainment design or Spanish.
For Vicksburg High School, Beery’s achievement highlights the impact of advanced academic programming and community support, and places a local student on an international professional stage.
