AnnuAl RepoRt

2880-ALCPippas2012Sngv8_7964-ALCPippasSong.qxd 5/22/12 3:15 PM Page 5
ALC News
While most students spent last semester in traditional
classrooms, one very special ALC student got to
experience the “wild” side of life—as in, wildlife!
Kestin Howard, the son of Jerome and Reta Howard of
Mousie, Kentucky, spent last semester as an intern for
Disney World’s Animal Kingdom, where he served as a
Kilimanjaro Safari tour guide. In addition to working
at the Disney theme park, Kestin was also taking
multiple independent study classes through Alice
Lloyd College and a Corporate Communications class
at Disney University.
Kestin Howard: A Walk on the Wild Side
To be an intern at Disney, Kestin had to undergo a very
strenuous interview process, all beginning with
attending a Disney seminar, followed by completing
an online application and interview. After making it
through the first round of interviews, Kestin then had
to complete a phone interview and a cast audition
before learning that he had been selected for the
program. Kestin’s job as a tour guide at Kilimanjaro
Safaris is considered one of the most difficult positions
at Disney, due to the vast amount of information each
safari driver must memorize prior to conducting his or
her own tours. However, Kestin’s years of experience
with speech and theater came in handy for this
particular assignment.
Kestin’s days at Kilimanjaro Safaris brought him into
contact with thousands of park visitors and numerous
species of animals. Seeing giraffes, zebras, lions,
cheetahs, crocodiles, and elephants all became a
normal part of life; even when a rhino charged at the
safari car, it was all just another’s day work for Kestin!
Upon completion of the internship program, Kestin
received a set of graduation “ears” from Disney, as well
as a diploma for all his hard work.
After returning to campus, Kestin prepared a
multimedia presentation for other Alice Lloyd
students to learn more about the Disney program, and
to encourage them to apply. As a senior Business
Administration major, learning first-hand how a large
company such as Disney operates was invaluable.
According to Kestin, the experience was one he will
never forget.
Alice Lloyd College is proud of students, such as
Kestin, who take initiative and strive to make the most
of their college careers. Kestin has certainly taken
advantage of all the opportunities which have come
his way. He has toured the United States with The
Voices of Appalachia (the college choir), participated in
the ALC Theater program, supervised younger
student workers at WWJD-FM (the campus radio
station), maintained outstanding grades, and found
time to write and record his debut country music
album, My Daddy’s Dream. Kestin is truly one of ALC’s
brightest and best students!
1 Annual Report 2011