The Carnival Scholarship and Mentoring Program kicked off its ninth year with its first visit in September. Thirty new freshmen joined the program and were eager to meet their new “bigs.” The program now consists of more than 100 students and mentors. Fun Ship Freddy was on hand to greet the kids as they connected with their mentors, took photos and enjoyed breakfast.
Carnival celebrated its 20th Annual F.U.N. Team Awards Reception to recognize the incredible efforts of its great volunteers. Every year the F.U.N. Team honors an employee who has gone above and beyond as the “Volunteer of the Year.” This year, Carnival honored Antoinette Murray for her commitment to making the community a better place. As done in years past, in conjunction with this award, the Carnival Foundation will make a $1,000 contribution to the charity of the recipients choice.
Carnival Scholarship and Mentoring Students had a surprise speaker on their final visit to the Carnival Headquarters for the year: Miami HEAT superstar Dwayne Wade. Wade shared his inspiring story about perseverance and overcoming life’s obstacles with the students.
The final school-to-work visit of the school year for the Carnival Scholarship and Mentoring students is always bittersweet. While various students are recognized for their outstanding work and participation in the program, it’s also time to say good-bye and good luck to the graduation seniors. We’ll see everyone back at Carnival next school year!
Walkers were out in full force at the 2015 Walk for Wishes 5k walk/run to benefit Make-A-Wish Southern Florida. Carnival F.U.N. Team volunteers got in on the walk and the helped out at the F.U.N. Team table.
Captain Barrington Irving, a pilot and educator, made a special appearance during the February school-to-work visit for the Scholarship and Mentoring Program students. Irving, a Miami native, was the youngest person and only African American ever to fly solo around the world. He spoke to the kids about determination, working hard and having a passion for what you want to achieve.
Students from our Carnival Scholarship & Mentoring Program learned about different career paths and job skills from our Career Exploration Panel featuring vice presidents and directors from nine Carnival departments. The panel discussed what it takes to obtain the position you want and spoke about how there is no single path to success, but there are skills and qualities that play a big role in getting you there.
Celebrities, sports legends, corporate leaders and more joined NFL Hall of Famer Nick Buoniconti and his son Marc in celebration of the 29th Annual Great Sports Legends Dinner presented by Carnival Corporation & plc and Carnival Foundation. Held at New York’s famed Waldorf Astoria the dinner paid tribute to philanthropic heroes and sports icons that inspire and motivate those affected by spinal cord injuries, and raised important funds for research and the Human Clinical Trials Initiative. This year’s Great Sports Legends honorees were Hakeem Olajuwon, Warren Sapp, Pedro Martinez, Joe Sakic, Bill Cowher, Mary Lou Retton and Lauryn Williams. Music legend Smokey Robinson treated guests to a very special performance.
The Miami Childrens Museum is home to a wonderful Carnival Cruise Lines exhibit showing life on a ship, and Carnival F.U.N. Team members have fun volunteering at the facility.
Carnival Cruise Lines F.U.N. Teams members spend time with the residents at Bay Oaks Home for the Aged. The team members provided companionship during snack-time and played bingo.
