YSI summer program mimics ‘Survivor’ television show

By WILL STEWART / Staff Reporter for the Southern Standard

Rebekah Taylor, complete with tropical lei and grass skirt, is thrilled to have been chosen to attend Young Scholars Institute.

Based on the hit reality television show “Survivor,” the 19th annual Young Scholars Institute was held last month at Warren County Middle School.

Close to 375 gifted students from across the county attended one of the two one-week sessions. Divided into “tribes,” the students spent their time at YSI learning about different areas of the world, including Tasmania, the Cayman Islands, Greece, Machu Picchu and the Everglades, and their people, cultures and languages.

The students and their instructors began each day by carrying their tribal banners and torches to “council fire” where they learned their plans for the day. During this time, drawings for “immunity necklaces” and prizes were held.

YSI coordinator and director Linda Dunlap said instructors tried to follow the format of “Survivor” as closely as possible, even having food “challenges,” and learning songs and dances. Unlike the TV show, however, no one was voted out of his or her tribe.

Both educating and entertaining YSI participants were several guest presenters. These included a Nashville Zoo at Grassmere presentation of animals of the rain forest; Don Weitzel demonstrating how to purify water and cook with limited supplies; and Joe Smith, who explained how to find to find one’s way if ever lost in the wild. Major Karen Hudson, sister of YSI instructor Carol Neal, taught the students how to become a good survivor and the importance of being fit in order to survive.

Dunlap said plans are already being made for next year’s YSI, which will mark the program’s 20th anniversary. Under the theme “Best of the Best of YSI,” topics to be studied include Camelot and the Renaissance era, the ’60s, Warren County history and many more.