LAKE BUENA VISTA, Fla. — A Florida resident who turned 106 on Thursday celebrated her big day by going to Disney World for the first time.
Magnolia Jackson is from Alachua County and was born in Rochelle. She graduated from Bethune Cookman University in Daytona Beach and is the oldest living alumna.
Jackson said seeing Mickey Mouse perform at the Florida Classic college football game last year "ignited her love for all things Disney," according to a news release from Disney.
When she went to Disney on Wednesday, she was greeted at the Magic Kingdom by Mickey and Minnie Mouse and cast members who held up happy birthday signs and balloons while they cheered and clapped.
The staff sang happy birthday to Jackson while she sat behind a birthday cake decorated with flowers.
"You just felt the love she had in her heart and excitement to be here," Disney ambassador Shannon Smith-Conrad said in a news release video.
During her visit, she toured the park and went to EPCOT where she got a special tour of the International Flower and Garden Festival.
Jackson was a teacher and principal at Shell Elementary School in Hawthorne for more than 30 years, reported WCJB-TV. Her celebration also continued to Thursday where Gainesville Mayor Harvey Ward will declare March 14 as Magnolia B. Jackson Day.
