In a recent conversation with Nellie Guerriero, program coordinator at the Bristol Parks and Recreation Department, you get the feeling that this energetic and spirited young woman uses her talents to help make people feel good about themselves through an exercise and fitness programs that have been the talk of the town for a number of years now.

As someone succinctly put it, “Nobody does it better than Nellie.”

A resident of Warren and a 1986 graduate of the former Our Lady of Fatima High School, where she starred in basketball, Nellie, now 56, previously resided in Bristol until the age of 7, when he father, the late Joseph Faria, died at the young age of 32.

“It was a shock to everyone in our family,” she said, “but we did the best we could to carry on.”

Sitting in one of the conference rooms during this interview, Guerriero had just finished a lively Zumba fitness session and was anxious to continue her exercise program.

“I played sports and I was a tomboy,” she admitted, “I attended Rhode Island College, and I was always active.”

She also benefitted by marrying former Bristol High School All-State 1978 football placekicker and later URI standout Ralph Guerriero.

“We got married in 1998 in the Virgin Islands and had two sons, Kyle, now 24, and Christopher, 22. My husband has always been one of my greatest supporters, especially during my years in Bristol Recreation.”

When you speak in terms of what Zumba has meant to her and he exercise classes, her eyes light up like a Christmas tree.

As she explained, “Zumba is a Latin-inspired dance fitness program which has caught on like gangbusters. It’s incredible the number of people who are actively involved in this program. The numbers are unbelievable.”

A member of the Bristol Recreation Dept. for more than 10 years now, Guerriero performed her incredible physical fitness magic when the programs operated out of the Byfield School and then the Reynolds School, before the Quinta –Gamelin Community Center opened. Along the way, she credits former Parks & Recreation Directors Walter Burke and Sarah Klein for giving her the opportunity to make a positive impact along the way.

Current Parks & Recreation Director Warren Rensehausen says Guerriero is an invaluable member of his department.

“She’s very important here,” he noted. “She’s one of the many staff members here who’s been great. She’s the ‘Zumba Queen,’ and I mean that in a very positive way.”

Aside from teaching Zumba and other various fitness classes, Guerriero is now recreation program coordinator who also teaches various fitness classes and programs for people of all ages; from children to seniors.
“We always welcome new people,” said Guerriero. “And you don’t have to be a resident of Bristol.”

This past Saturday morning, Guerriero had her Zumba class in high gear inside the Recreation Center, where approximately 50 of her energetic class members went through their paces to the beat of some electrically-charged Zumba music.

“Nellie brings happiness to so many people because of this class,” said Patricia Bliar of Fall River. “I hear all great things because of what she brings to this program. She’s phenomenal.”

Sarah Klein will tell you first hand that Nellie was invaluable to the recreation program when she and Walter Burke were in charge a number of years ago.

“Nellie meant so much to us while volunteering tons of hours when we first moved into the Quinta-Gamelin building,” she recalled. “She is so fabulous at what she does. Walter and I deeply appreciated what she did in her role in programming. She was eager to learn. She does a lot of fund-raising and gets so many people involved. She was a joy to work with and a real champion of the department. In addition, she has planned many fundraisers to benefit the Gloria Gemma Foundation, the R.I. Food Pantry, youth programs, etc., and rallies members of the Center to join her in making these fundraisers a great success.”

Next time you run into Guerriero in a Zumba class or on the street, take a moment and pat her on the back for what she’s been able to achieve on the exercise floor with youngsters and oldsters alike. It’s been rhythmically intoxicating.