(October 17, 2012)

Alumnus mentors youth on board Disney "Dream" Cruise Line

SHREVEPORT, LA — Adam Nerio '12 felt fortunate to find a job fairly quickly after graduation, becoming a Youth Activities Counselor for the Disney "Dream" Cruise Line. Nerio credits his Centenary experience for his rapid transition from student to employee:

"Centenary provided me with the knowledge and experience of teaching and organizing activities for people of all ages. Without Centenary, I would not be where I am today."

As the Youth Activities Counselor, Nerio leads all scheduled programs and activities for guests ages 3-17 on the ship. Ninety percent of his time is spent with the teens (ages 14-17) in a designated space called "Vibe," which consists of three pools, a personal sun-deck, and foosball and ping-pong tables. He is also in charge of teen excursions that involve snorkeling, kayaking, and bike riding.

'I fully appreciate and value the role youth activities and programs have in positively impacting the lives of young people," said Nerio. "It is clear that a teacher/coach/counselor can be profound in the intellectual, ethical, spiritual, and physical development of kids. This is the type of passion that I have gained and learned through my experiences and time at Centenary."

Nerio works on four-to-five month contracts, receiving guests for three, four, or five-day cruises. He will begin his third contract November 25. One of the most interesting aspects of working on a ship is the diverse group of nationalities he is able to encounter on a day-to-day basis:

"This job gives me the chance to meet new people from all over the world and learn about their lifestyles. It is a very gratifying experience."

Prior to joining the Disney "Dream" Cruise Line, Nerio worked as a Sports Performance Coach for Velocity Sports Performance in San Antonio, TX.