A "Survivor" story -- Planting seeds and stringing threads - a must read!

Years ago, I was part of a production staff of a community theatre organization.  We were auditioning children for munchkin roles for the production, "The Wizard of Oz."  A woman, whom I had known through my older brothers, brought her granddaughter to the audition.  The minimum age requirement was eight years old, and I recall reading the form, completed by her grandmother, where she stated her granddaughter's age to be "seven...Almost eight."

I thought, "What the heck...Why not?"  This girl's mother and aunts were supremely musically talented, and I figured no harm could come from the audition.  I watched as this young girl with beautiful big eyes sang "happy birthday" loud and clear, in perfect pitch and tune and with great projection...She was a lock for a role in the show.  I have always remembered that audition, as it is one of my favorites of all time...

I just found out yesterday that the same girl with the beautiful eyes, Andrea Boehlke, (the woman pictured here) is a competitor on the upcoming season of "Survivor -- Redemption Island" on CBS.  I am so happy for her and this unforgettable opportunity.

Thinking back to those days of community theatre, I recall so many encounters with promising young individuals, just like Andrea.  No doubt Andrea and the other kids would have been successful in life regardless of whether they would have been in those productions or not.  I don't even begin to take credit for the great things I have seen them do.  As a matter of fact, and to be honest, I have been positively impacted more by watching them over the years than I could have ever hoped to have impacted them.  For me, it always was about opportunity -- providing it, more specifically.  Back in the day when I was one of three nineteen year olds who were starting a community theatre organization, it was all about the kids -- It was all about providing opportunities to the kids, and boy did they take the bull by the horns, big time.  For the three of us, it was all about planting seeds of opportunity, with the hope that the kids would grow and develop into whatever they wanted to in the future.

I have taken an interest in watching these young people, from a distance, grow up into some great people.  I have been so impressed with their life accomplishments.  Some are music teachers, some are working to become future doctors, some are doing great things in the arts, some are posing with presidents in pictures, some are starting families, and now one is showing up on television.  I am so very proud of their accomplishments, and I am so happy to see they have been nothing short of successful.

Remember that any meaningful interaction you have with someone, establishes a connection which can potentially last a lifetime.  It's like a fine thread that connects you with that person, and irreversibly links you to that person from that point forward.  I know that as I have seen what those "kids" have become, they have had a much more positive impact on me than I could ever have had upon them.  They have pleasantly surprised me over the years, and I am so proud of each and every one of them.

Go get them Andrea!  I hope you are the sole "survivor!"

I encourage you Facebook users to become a fan of Andrea and show your support.  Her fan page can be found by clicking here.

Here's a link to Andrea's introduction video on the "Survivor" website. Take a look by clicking here.

Best wishes,

-Victor