The event will be held at St. Mary’s Parish Center at 940 Hopmeadow Street in Simsbury, Connecticut. The event starts at 6 p.m.

Amazingly brave people who have escaped the ravages of wars, genocide and natural disasters rely on the goodwill of organizations and Americans to help them start their new lives in our wonderful land of opportunity.

Learn about their stories online here and here. Download the event flier.

We want to help! Will you?

Gillian Larson brought an inspiring and positive tone to our annual National Honor Society induction ceremony.  Her experiences as a contender on the CBS program Survivor Gabon were interwoven with her challenging mantra to attain the most challenging of life’s goals – “Dream it, Believe in it, Prepare for it and Do it!”  Gillian’s presentation reached the faculty, students, parents and extended families at our program. With a wonderful sense of humor and a positive approach, she captivated and encouraged each one of us to reach for the best in our own lives. This was a wonderful way to make a special night extraordinary.

Eleventh graders in my English classes at Vista Murrieta High School were thrilled to have Gillian Larson “pop in” to visit. She was invited by our administration to participate at a rally to celebrate the success of our student effort during the CST testing that semester and had provided a wonderful campus television spot to challenge the student body to give its best during the weeks of the testing.  After my students completed a journal response to her motto for reaching goals, Gillian was introduced and interacted with the class in an open dialogue about her adventure and about the students’ life goals. The day included a class photo with our “star” visitor and an inspiring question and discussion session.  Gillian brought a fresh and positive approach to a diverse classroom population.  Her pictures and motto remain posted on the classroom assignment boards.

Arch Aitcheson. English Teacher  Vista Murrieta High School, Murrieta, CA

Gillian Larson entertains, encourages, and brings hope.  My sixth grade students were excited when they heard a member of the hit show Survivor was going to speak at their school.  As I watched my students as Gillian spoke, I saw them sitting still, engaged, and eager to ask questions when the time arose.  This is unusual for my sixth grade class as they aren’t easily engaged, let alone sitting still.  Gillian speaks in a way that helps you visualize what it’s like to be on a reality show.  She goes into detail about her experiences trying to get on the show as well as when she was on the show.  She brings along her Survivor torch and the shirt she wore on the show which really brought the show to life.  The students were in awe.  More importantly though, Gillian talks to the kids about hope, perseverance and living their dream.  GO FOR IT!  I wanted Gillian to know how much we appreciated her taking time out of her day to talk to our school, so I asked my students to write a thank you letter to Gillian.  I told my students I would not be reading their letters because what they had to say was for Gillian and not for me.  I asked the students to write about what they liked most about the assembly and what dream they wanted to pursue.  A week later our class received a letter from Gillian.  Gillian Larson wrote a personal letter to my sixth grade class thanking them for their letters.  She also included survivor photos personalized to each student.  The kids were so excited.  Thank you Gillian for showing my students that if you have a dream you can achieve that dream by working hard and never giving up!
Susan Meath.  Sixth Grade Teacher    Peyton Elementary School
Stockton, California

Gillian came to Helix High School to talk to my students about following their dreams.  My students are considered at risk of not graduating.  They have had very little success in school, but have all showed the desire to succeed.  I invited Gillian to talk about Survivor and the lengths she went to get on the show.  She spoke about much more.  Gillian’s talk reinforced what I was trying to teach them in terms of setting goals and achieving them.  For months after her visit, they were still quoting her saying “Dream it” and “Don’t give up”.   Not all were big Survivor fans; however they all became Gillian Larson fans after she spoke.  I still see many of them in the halls and they ask if she is coming back.

Rick Fortin, Helix High School, San Diego

Gillian Larson is an inspiration to people of all ages.  Her positive and energetic attitude is contagious.  She helps others believe that they can do anything they set their minds to, reminding them that they each have a “fire” that burns within that no one else can extinguish.  Her message will give any group of adults or children a feeling of empowerment which will in turn enhance their lives.  Our school felt privileged to have her as our guest speaker. Andrea Borrell  PALS Preschool, Temecula. Ca

“Gillian has a message that motivates us all to dare to dream, and do something about it!  Our group left the event energized and excited to pursue their interests, even though the average age is about 70 years young”!       Katie Clemens,  Publicity for Fallbrook Woman’s Connection

You and I have been connected since February of 2003 and during that time your dream of 8 years came to fruition. Your REFUSE TO FAIL demeanor has fueled me to aspire an aim to eradicate the notion of a homeless Veteran by 2035! I am humble and honored that you agreed to be part of our November 1, 2008 grand opening in Fallbrook CA in honor of Veterans Day to share your REFUSE TO FAIL journey with us. The fuel you have given me was nicely distributed to those you spoke on that day and many have enjoyed meeting you in person. Since that day of our grand opening, we have just yesterday signed on a total of 71 American Veterans as Learners with the aim to eradicate the notion of a homeless Veteran. You were and continue to be an inspiration to us all and thank you so very much for setting the bar so high! God Bless and always know, you are part of our life and dreams. Semper Fi,  Albert R. Renteria CEO and President,

A Service Disabled Veteran Owned Business www.ARRenteria.com

Your talk was very inspiring!  It provided the clients at Wellness WORKs!  an understanding that a positive attitude and perseverance are critical in achieving success.  And, that if we want something badly enough, we have the inner resources within us to achieve it!  Thank you for the wonderful example you set to all of us!

Diane Feneck, Coordinator,  Wellness WORKs!

California State University, Stanislaus

I want to “Thank You” once again for your truly inspirational story.Your message of, Dreaming, Believing, Preparing and getting it Done is so relevant for both children and adults alike. I would strongly Encourage anyone with a team or who teaches others, to have you Share your message of persistence, hope and the value of the journey. Thanks again for your wonderful story and the vision you had.

CORY STEPANEK. CLTC Genworth Insurance Agency, Inc.”

I want to directly thank you for the inspirational assembly you provided for our students at McKinley Elementary School .  Our students demonstrated active participation and interest in the motivational words and the interesting pictures of your “Survivor” journey.  I know that you touched more than a few students to dream big and never give up.  On behalf of McKinley staff and students, Thank you!!

Sonia Ambriz, Principal  McKinley Elementary School, Stockton. Ca  95206

I thought the assembly was fantastic. Gillian did a wonderful job of keeping her audience spellbound. Usually, assemblies don’t cover so much geography combined with the strong message about the importance of having drive and motivation. Of all my years in the business, this was the best assembly The assemblies were for grades 3-8 and each grade level felt that you did a great job adapting to the age group. This is the response from one of my teachers.  I heard this echoed from many others as well! “

Dale Borgeson,  Principal,  McParland Elementary School.  Stockton Ca.

Thank you so much for speaking to and inspiring our group.  You were a HUGE hit! We loved your story of persistance and how it finally paid off for you.  You are really a very inspiring speaker

R. Lange . Vice President Aviara Women’s Club

Thanks for a terrific presentation at Kiwanis in Valley Center, a really great program.

B Rohrer. Program Chair. Kiwanis Valley Center

Nice video your speech was very inspirational                                                         

High school Student.Roseville

You are SO awesome! You came to my school today (Woodcreek Highschool in Roseville, CA). You were so inspirational to me. You have done all of these amazing things and have been all over the world. Thank you for speaking at my school.

Student Woodcreek High. Roseville

“Hello, You spoke at my son’s school (Parker Whitney) today and he came home so excited. He was so inspired by your message of dream, believe, prepare and go after what you want.”.

Donna. A parent

“When Gillian spoke at Reality Changers, our inner-city students from disadvantaged backgrounds learned how to become true survivors in life.  One of our 11th graders said it best: ‘Gillian, you’re amazing!’”

Christopher Yanov, Executive Director.  Reality Changers San Diego

Dream it,

Believe it,

Prepare for it,

Do it. !!!!

Steve Fisher from Horace Mann Insurance works with schools in the Stockton area, offering them exciting benefits and programs and I was lucky enough to become one of those programs. The schools snapped me up and I was immediately booked for 23 Assemblies with students and teachers and also 3 adult groups. It was awesome. The kids loved it, the adults loved it and I absolutely loved watching them all give me their undivided attention and knowing that at least a few would leave with a new resolve to keep the fire in their hearts burning and go for their dream.  What a privilege to be able to share my dream and inspire them to go for their dreams. I talk about having a dream and a goal, about persistence, preparation and hard work and mostly belief in yourself. I tie this all into my Survivor experience, show a few photos and some memorabilia from my game which they love to see. My story tells of what it took to get on Survivor and how it all turned out. I was in awe at the excellent and insightful questions they asked and smiled as I signed binders, papers, hands and shoes  by the hundreds. I loved them sharing afterwards, telling me their dreams knowing I might have touched a few. I love getting in front of groups and sharing that Jeff and My Tribe might have snuffed out my flame in the game as it was out of my control but NO ONE will ever put out the flame in my heart and tell them “never ever let anyone put out their flame, it is in their control “.

I do these talks to schools, groups and organizations for no charge other than expenses if over 2 hrs away. It is my way of giving back for an amazing and out of the ordinary experience and for the privilege of being selected. I do charge for Corporate bookings.

Photos on my Facebook page.

never dreaming that I would actually “be one of the evening speakers” and would be officially evaluated. Any Toastmasters out there know what I mean. The time warning lights, the little ahhh clicker and all the speaker evaluation sheets on each table could have sent me scuttling out the front door but I loved it. What an opportunity to be actually evaluated by people who evaluate speeches. Wow. My purpose in giving talks is to reach at least one person who says ” Ahhhh, if she can do that then I can do such and such ” So I was even more delighted to hear there was an “Ahhh counter “. Wow, I would get to hear how many people said “ahhh” as I talked to them. BUT NO…..it counts how many times I would ahh or ummm. Funny. I loved the evening, I loved the talks, I loved the format, and I loved meeting the people. I especially loved the evaluations. Thanks. So from now on when I move from side to side of the “stage” like the energizer bunny and use much more elaborate hand gestures it is with the “Official Toast Masters Blessings” At the end of the evening it seems I got a lot of Ahhhs of my own and from some of the group who said I gave them the boost they were looking for to do “their such and such” I also was awarded a trifecta of ribbons for “Best Speaker, best Humor and best Enthusiasm” Awesome. So you see the lights and clicker and evaluations didn’t seem to faze me one bit

Photos will be posted on Facebook when my poor overworked computer comes back to life I have killed it.

Now that I have been cleared and critiqued by Toastmasters and declared a “trifecta of awards” I might be even more entertaining in my talks. I am booking for the Fall and booking up fast.

Michelle’s Place, a cancer resource center in town “sold me off” at their annual Spring Fling to the highest bidder, Lorie.

She, her son Stephen and 4 good friends all met me at South Coast Winery to hear all about my Survivor experience over eggs and mimosas.

What fun that was. Really great people and such fun to be with. I love getting together with “fans” of the show as I know I would have given my eye teeth to have met a “Survivor” during my quest to get on. I loved being with them all and answered all their questions (except the ones I call my 5 million zip on the lip questions !!!) and everyone took turns having their photo taken with me, my buff, my shirt and tree mail.

I am up for “sale” anytime there is a good cause or available for “talks”to groups who might want to hear me. Contact me for information.

Photo will be posted on Facebook when my computer comes back to life.

I was there to chat with all the Survivor hopefuls. I remember when….I was on that side of the line and would have loved to have met a Survivor. So I volunteer my time and get out and meet and greet.

Jerri from Survivor Australia and Jenna from Borneo and both were on All Stars were also there. It was a lot of fun spending the day with them and they are an absolute kick. It was great hearing their experiences, their opinions and all about their games.

I decided to spend the night on the sidewalk with all the early bird hopefuls as that was something I had not done in all the years of trying out. So, I took a sleeping bag and took a place in line. I got there about 9pm Friday, talked for about 19 hrs, stood for about 12hrs,sat for 6hrs and slept for 45mins. and joined about 100 people all having such fun. Survivor Steve was once again first in line having arrived on Thursday morning !!!! and from then on others arrived early Friday morning and on. The air was electric with everyone sharing stories of their attempts. People sitting re doing and re doing their applications The first person I met was ” a Gillian Look Alike” who came up to me saying people had been asking her for her autograph. Funny. Judge that for yourself. There were chairs and sleeping bags and people all along the sidewalk that snaked around the bend and onto the other side. It still is the weirdest thing for me for people to know who I am and want their photos taken with me and for me to sign autographs. I am more than happy to do it, it is great fun and I remember being in their shoes.

There is such a variety of people all with hopes and dreams and stories. People who have tried out for every Survivor as I did and others there for the first time. Some in dress up, some with props, many just themselves but everyone with a hope and a dream. Richard Allyn from News 8 at 11pm did a few bits on the crowd so some of the hopefuls got to see themselves whooping and hollering on TV. CBS 8 San Diego was well represented and they are great.

Carlo Cecchetto was there half of Saturday and was excellent with the crowd asking fun questions.Craig McKee and Marcella Lee then took over and were also fun.

My buddy Mike Watson was one of the Interview photographers and he was great. I feel a huge part of my selection was his input from my audition interview at Liberty Station. Thanks Mike, great to see you again.

Donna and Barry along with many other Channel 8 folk worked their butts of making the day happen. Barona decorated everything adding to the great atmosphere and many of their staff also added to a flawless day. Sadly about 10 people were turned away as we just ran out of time. Those folk had mostly arrived after 1pm that day. Lesson to all…..come early.
Good luck to you all. Someone from this Audition will be on the other side of the line next year. Believe it.

You can see photos of the event at http://www.facebook.com/GillianLarson

Dream it,

Believe it,

Prepare for it,

DO IT !!!!

I applied for 8 years, 15 applications, 2 casting calls and 3 interviews.     I never gave up,      I did it !!!!.

This is my philosophy & message that I take from my Survivor game.

Persistence, belief in yourself, be the best you can be.

 I now take that message out to share with who ever wants to hear it and hear about my Survivor experience.

My way of giving back is to volunteer my time and my story in hopes it will inspire or motivate.

I am your answer to something different to present to your group.

I talk to schools, kids and faculty. Service organizations. Clubs, Groups, any one.

 References available.

www.gillianlarson.com    781-962-8234

“Rock the Test” and “Test Fest”

Location: Vista Murietta High School

I just love happy and enthusiastic people. I just love teachers who reach out to their students and provide something different from the ordinary day to help motivate and inspire. I just love being a part of it all. Mr Moore invited me to make a motivational PSA to show the school as part of their “Rock the Test” campaign. Something fun and different to boost the pre California test days.I ended my announcement with ” I burned elephant dung to smoke the camp. You can all burn though the tests and smoke them all.Just do it.” Mr Verkautren and his Audio Visual class make all of their stuff and I was so impressed with their amazing studio all developed from donations and fund raising.I wish I was back in school with all the cool subjets there now are. I then made ” a Celebrity appearance” at their quad party Test Fest. What fun that was with over 3000 students having a great time.I had a “Survived the test” dance on one foot competition which I led. I danced the Jerk with them,(hope I didnt look to much like a Jerk ) answered their questions about my game, posed for photos and signed autographs. My favorite was a kid who wanted my autograph for his Mother for Mothers day How cool is that. I then did an hour or so in Mr Aitchisons English class where he is using my motto ( see my profile) to inspire his class to write their dream which they did and many shared theirs with all of us. That was awesome,especially watching some of the kids get up and share when they had not been able to before. Cool.

“Surviving” today’s economy in schools

Location: Chino Hills

I was invited to the Faculty meeting at Chaparral Elementary school. The principal Tom is a huge Survivor fan and wanted to provide something different and interesting for his facutly….me.:) I was invited by Ana from the Horace Mann companies. She provides good insurance rates for teachers, I provide free entertainment for schools who do not have the budget for something different. It was a lot of fun and I continue to take my hat off to teahers. They have a huge job.Congratulations to all of you and teachers every where.

Michelle’s Place fundraiser 5 K walk/run

Location: South Coast Winery, Temecula

I DID IT. It may not sound much for those who are runners but as we all know I AM NOT, yet that is. Well, I only ran a little over half the way but it’s a start Did it in 39 mins which included a pee stop ( and not in the vines )
Over 900 people participated and running/walking through the vines from South Coast winery was awesome with hot air balloons floating above us,beautiful weather and we are all alive to live life to the fullest.

This is all about Michelle. Check it out. This is from their brochure.
Let’s Honor Her Life and the Courage of All Like Her http://www.michellesplace.org
Michelle Watson

The tears still involuntarily flow at the thought of Michelle’s passing; but from the “pool of tears” has come a mission of service to make it better for others touched by this unrelenting disease. Family, friends, and the community have come together and created a mission to serve our community. Her parents say that more than once they have wished the treatment would have started sooner. But bitter disappointment must be given up and replaced with positive action. Michelle needed a resource center where she could go for help in coping with her challenges. Her parents, family and friends have started one in her memory so others will have an opportunity to get the help they need —it is called Michelle’s Place.

Michelle felt she would have liked a place she could receive emotional comfort, a listening ear, and an opportunity to talk with someone who is surviving breast cancer and learning to cope with the disease. This place should also provide the latest information regarding treatment options, coping strategies, up-to-date research and clinical developments so the person and their family can help in planning and be informed when making treatment decisions.

Michelle shared a love of life and persevered to the end with a valiant determination to beat the challenge of breast cancer and always shared her knowledge and experience of battling cancer in a positive, uplifting way. Although her journey on earth was cut short, her vision of helping others with breast cancer has been the inspiration to open Michelle’s Place to assist those walking a similar path.

Especially important at Michelle’s Place is the provision of education to those women not yet touched by the disease. They must know that if a lesion is mammographically detected during the early development stage, chances of survival and/or a cure rate is raised to a dramatic 95% or more. This is a major improvement over today’s variable survival rates among different ethnic groups, ranging from 55% to 79% — because, like Michelle, many of them are discovering breast cancer too late. It is clear that a very high priority for Michelle’s Place is to help educate everyone in our community, from our young women to our seniors.
Check out South Coast Winery. An awesome place and Maggie Carter,the owner does a lot for charity. www.wineresort.com

South African Curry Cook Off

Location: Del Mar San Dieguito Park

I was “the guest of honor” at this really fun day with about 200 people.Mostly South Africans and quite a few Americans and Brits who are attached to a South African.I was invited to meet and greet and share my Survivor experience and I presented the winner of the Curry Cook Off with the Curry Cup. Well done Oscar and his cook team of it seemed 20.:)The Ex Pats club mission states” it serves as a powerful positive force of good in the greater community by encouraging and organizing action to help like minded success oriented individuals socialize and network with one another to succeed in their new environment. A casual environment in which all South African expats and friends meet to pursue social, sport, chats, outings, braais and business happenings together.”

The club entry “Theo’s – prawn curry” took a sterling second at a very well attended “Curry Cook-off 2009″ competition held on Sunday, April 26th at San Dieguito Park, Del Mar with more than 20 entrants going head to toe and 167 starving onlookers – not to shabby for our first try. Much fun and geselskap. Any expat in the area check it out http://www.meetup.com/saffasclub

San Diego South African Club

Ja nee,dit was a lekker dag met die mense.
I was “The Guest Of Honour” at a South African gathering of the San Diego Expats club.I am the first South African to play on the American Survivor so I was invited to come and share my experience with some of the members. The event was kindly hosted by Miguel and Michelle and organized by Theo Van Der Merwe (no joke ) and great photos taken by Gail Van Der Merwe.

Many present are die hard Survivor fans so it was a really enjoyable day talking Afrikaans and Survivor!!!! It is always a pleasure to connect with others of your own culture and what a treat to hear everyone there talk about how much they appreciate this country and also maintain a lot of their culture too. We had a real South African braai with boerewors,chops,steak,sosaties, salads and beer.

Open casting call

Location: Sycuan Casino

Sugar and I were part of the open casting call on Saturday and talked to fun folks for 8 hrs. I walked the outside line for an hour and them we were on stage for the rest.I still find it so weird that people know who I am,want their picture taken with me and ask for signitures. It is cool and such a priviledge.I remember being on the other side.!! It was such fun being on the other side of the line and being a part of hundreds of hopeful’s journey to their game of Survivor. I loved talking to people and seeing the hope in their eyes and feeling the gleam of hope in their hearts.The all had different stories and reasons for being there. Many had tried many times,many were first timers.There was a Scuba dive instructor,a sky diver,a hearing impaired guy,a lepracaun,a Rasta,a surfer dude, a Red Army soldier and Stacie from my tribe trying out when I was chosen and Sonia who borrowed my game shirt.and a family of 3 . Mother and 2 kids and the fishing grampa who ate raw fish and even the casino valet.. Many were overcoming the fear they had, to try and came and DID IT !!! Many, many were over 50 and they too knew they could do it and Bob and I once again showed over 50 can do it and so can they. I loved the spirit of so many of the auditionees. I would have loved more photos but got too busy. The one I missed was the 94 yr old really cute guy. I only hope that I have the spirit and spunk to do something as fun as this when I am 94. Good for you sir. The people there were priviledged to hear Lynne,the casting Director talk and give them great tips. She is awesome and a huge help to hear it from her. So remember,just be you,be rememberable, tell a good story and never give up,you never know when “you” will be what they are looking for. Go for it. Thanks to Donna, Elyse and Barry from CBS8 San Diego for making the day such fun for all present. I remember them from my time in line.

Sharing a torch,sharing a dream

Location: Vista Murrieta High School

What an honor and a pleasure to be the keynote speaker at the Induction Ceremony of the National Honor Society at Vista Murrieta High School. Thanks to Mr Aitcheson, the Honor Society leader and Mr Daniels the Principal for inviting me. I love teaching faculty who think outside of the box. Good for you providing such a different and current addition to a ceremony.
Their symbol of a torch and the word Honor played an enormous part in my Survivor Game and here I was sharing these 2 words with a great group of people.

They too have a torch…Unlike my torch their torch will never be snuffed out unless they chose to do so themselves. Their flaming Torch is a symbol of their purpose to bear forward the searching light of truth.To lead so others may follow in the light,to keep burning in their school the high ambition for the enduring values of life and to serve with unselfish loyalty to truth and honor. The word honor particularly struck a cord with me. My torch was basically snuffed because I could not compromise myself despite the fact I had thought I could for 8 years. My solace after being snuffed was a hidden message in a book my Daughter Kendra hid for me and I found in “boot camp”.

“Honor yourself” and I did. I can hold my “booted”head up high and tell my story.No one will ever know what that message meant to me and how that comforted me when I was soooo bummed about being booted.

Once again….I shared my message to the 17 kids who were being inducted for their achievements and their proud family’s who were there to share their “honor” and my family was also there to share in my message and watch me in my Post Survivor Journey.
Dream it,
Believe it,
Prepare for irt,
DO IT.

Horace Mann Western Region Sales meeting

Location: Pechanga Casino Temecula

Location: Pechanga Casino TemeculaThanks to Leonard,Kristy and Ron for inviting me to be a part of their meetings.
I had such fun sharing my motto of
Dream it,
Believe it,
Prepare for it,
DO IT !!!!
with about 28 of the Western Region sales agents. We had a lot of laughs as I shared my philosophy and my experience. It was really fun to hear their questions and get their feedback.

I think they went away not only laughing but a little inspired. Their 2 day meeting gave them a lot of great information to get out and help people with their very good products and good rates. May help a lot people save money. Is’nt that what we need.
I am so enjoying having the platform of “my celebrity” to get in front of so many people to give them a bit of a boost and if only one person hears me and gets off “the couch” and does something that they are inspired to do,then my message and my game of Survivor was so worth while.

Teacher Faculty Meeting talk

Location: Whittier Elementary School

We are indeed lucky to have teachers in this country who are innovative, creative and fun. Marc Horton, the Principal of Whittier Elementary was the first to snag me as a speaker at his faculty meeting. It was pleasure to spend time with the teachers and I applaud all they do to contribute to the minds of all our kids. Its the most important job in the development of our country’s future and so often they do not get the recognition they deserve. Marc has done amazing things in his school ( having me there was one of them :0 !!! ) and is well respected by the faculity and obviously well liked by the kids I saw around him.
Good for you Marc and all your faculty.

It is my pleasure to talk at schools and impart my message of Belief. With school funding at it’s lowest ever it is a way for me to give of my time and give back for my opportunity.

Survivor chat at Covina High School

Location. Covina High School

I was invited by Matt Kearns, a teacher with vision and forsight,to come and speak to his class on my Survivor experience.He is not only a big Survivor fan, has used Survivor as a teaching tool for the past 3 years. He wrote his master’s degree paper on positive academic outcome of using Survivor to teach students writing and critical thinking skills. His classes blossomed and came up with the most interesting prosectives and amazing writings as a result. Good for you Mr Kearns. We need more teachers like you.It was a great time for me. There were about 60 kids,who were fun,engaging and really interested. What a pleasure to among a whole lot of kids with a bright future ahead of them. Go for it,kids.The main theme of my talk is always to follow your dream and be the best person you can be,love life and live it.

Rancho Elementary school

Location: Temecula, Ca.

I had a wonderful evening as a speaker at my Grand daughter Emma’s school. The talk centered on “Dream it, believe it, prepare for it and DO IT !!!!” The kids made torches and added “their fire” and wrote their dream on it.
It is so cool to hear kids declare their dream and I shared my journey to “my dream of Survivor”

3 classes and another Survivor Addict

Location: Helix High School, San Diego

Rick Fortin is an awesome teacher and also a major Survivor addict and has applied as much I I did. I met him in line at the Sycuan Casting call and heard later that he is a teacher in San Diego. I made arrangements to go to his classroom to talk about my motto and its realtion to life. Rick has much the same motto as he has never given up either. A few other teachers heard I was coming and felt their class could benefit from meeting me and hearing my message. I loved meeting all those kids and sharing my dream and hearing theirs.The kids were great. Attentive,interactive and had some great questions. Once again,thnaks to Rick for being an “outside of the box kinda teacher” who made arrangements for me to come and share with several classes. If only one kid went away with a thought and it makes a difference in their life,then my message was heard. Awesome. I love giving back by getting in front of groups.

Check out Rick on FB and join his campaign to get himself into”the Greatest Game on TV” Survivor (of course)
This is a late posting as I was waiting for photos.

You are cordially invited to attend the Grand Opening of our Southwest Veterans Business Resource Center
at 145 E. Fig Street, Fallbrook, CA 92028 on November 1, 2008.

We will gather from 11 am to 4 pm for visitors. Festivities begin at noon to 1 pm and will include:

• Color Guard – local Boy Scouts Troop #755
• Pledge of Allegiance – local Boy Scouts Troop #755
• Prayer – Pastor, Jerry Rillings of Fallbrook Foursquare Church
• Retire Colors
• Proclamation, County of San Diego – County Supervisor Bill Horn
• Opening Remarks – Albert R. Renteria, Founder and CEO SWVBRC
• CBS Survivor contestant – Gillian Larson

Veteran Business Outreach Center Sacramento, CA – Coreena Conley, Program Director
Veteran and first learner of SWVBRC Program – Sam Luna, US Army
Veteran – Bob Mulz, Chairman, ELITE SDVOB
House Chairman of Veterans Affairs – Congressman Bob Filner
Dedication of the Center to Guest of Honor LCdr Carol A. Grice, NC USN Retired – Bonnie Zepada

Please RSVP to Frances Lowe – email: flowe@swvbrc.org or call 760 468-1315

“We shall not fail or falter; we shall not weaken or tire…..
give us the tools and we will finish the job!”
-Sir Winston Churchill

I Refuse to Fail
When I was 3, I looked at a huge tree and knew I wanted to climb it. I figured out a way and I climbed it and that was the beginning of my addiction to challenge and adventure. At a young age I found out that anything is possible if you just dream it, believe it, prepare for it and you can do it.!!!

Since then I have always looked at life as a huge opportunity for fun challenges and achievement. This has played me out well in achieving many of the athletic, academic, travel and just plain fun activities I went after. I look back over my 61 years and can honestly say “life is good” More than, good awesome.

This same spirit of adventure and needing connection with others is what has guided so much of my life and as a result has filled my years with so much meaning. As a child I had a most wonderful African nanny who instilled in me the spirit of Ubuntu.

It is a traditional African philosophy that offers us an understanding of ourselves in relation with the world. According to Ubuntu, there exists a common bond between us all and it is through this bond, through our interaction with our fellow human beings, that we discover our own human qualities. A person is a person through other persons. We affirm our humanity when we acknowledge that of others.

I am because we are, we are because I am. It is a spirit of brotherliness, solidarity and togetherness. I believe there is a spirit of good in every person and we all have a very special story and ability which has in some way a connection to another.

I have always been an organizer and instigator. I have always had the good of others foremost in my thoughts and made much happen in my communities I have lived in and my small circle of influence. 8 years ago I had a new burning desire and that was to play Survivor. A very strange quest for what really is a very frivolous goal. So built into my daily life, I spent 8 years having fun and getting prepared in every way in the absolute knowledge that one day I would play Survivor.

People asked me all the time. “Why, do you want this so badly” I would always answer for 3 reasons.

One, I will play this game for all the Baby Boomers and above. To tell them that although we are all older there is so much we can do with our lives still. Two, for all the kids out there. You all have your lives ahead of you, don’t waste a moment and go for your dreams. Thirdly, and most importantly, because “I can”.

I can, because this is the most amazing country that we live in where we are free to do anything we set our minds to doing. Too many Americans take this freedom for granted and we only have it because of all the sacrifices our troops have made to protect this freedom over the years. We have a freedom that so many other countries have fought valiantly to get. So I am playing for our current and past troops.

My hero, Nelson Mandela is an also an incredible example of this fight for freedom. He had a dream, he believed, he prepared and he did it. I still can’t explain why I became so determined to play it but perhaps it is that I will have a public forum to talk about belief in oneself. If only one person hears my message and gets out and chases their dream I have accomplished a big part of what my whole quest for Survivor was all about.

What I discovered playing Survivor was that everything my tribe stood for was totally against my spirit of Ubuntu. What I learned about myself was that not even for a million dollars could I desecrate that spirit, especially in Africa. What I would do is play as hard as I could, would refuse to fail and be the best person I could be. I would remain positive and do most of the work around camp. I just loved it all but my tribe did not love me. I was too happy.!!!

What I learned after watching how I was edited was once again ‘I refuse to fail” I had invited over 300 people to come and watch with my family and share in the fun and the accomplishment. The spirit of community was amazing. I was in awe of my family who knew the outcome at the end of the second hour and proudly supported my whole endeavor. My being booted from a game was in no way anything other than a huge accomplishment and is the stone in the water that will have ripples of positive repercussion.

From there I would take my message of inspiration out there. I still can’t explain why I became so determined to play it but perhaps it is that I will have a public forum to talk about belief in oneself. If only one person hears my message and gets out and chases their dream I have accomplished a big part of what my whole quest for Survivor was all about.

I am happy that my “celebrity “ as a Survivor will give me a platform to get my message out. That is happening as I am stopped by many in the community every time I am out. I hear from them and from hundreds of emails that I have been an inspiration.

I now feel privileged to be a part of the grand opening of Mr. Renteria’s Southwest Veterans’ Business Resource Center. I am simply a member of our community who has an interest being a part of someone else’s dream. Perhaps it is yours, the reader. I would love to shake your hand and see the dream in your eyes.

I look forward to meeting everyone there and being part of the springboard that will be the beginning of a new life for many of our treasured Veterans.

Dream it
Believe it
Prepare for it
Do it !!!