©1991-2007
Student Publications,
All rights reserved.

Last modified:

Contact:
ktruitt@uh.edu

Life & Arts

Alumna eliminated in first ‘Survivor' episode

By Rachael Seeley
The Daily Cougar

Jolanda Jones - she survived the perils of UH Law School but she couldn't make it past the first week of Survivor. The cold, cruel culmination of the first tribal council on the tropical island of Palau gave her the dubious distinction of being the very first to be eliminated. 

Jolanda, we hardly knew thee. 

Perhaps her elimination was part of some elaborate media conspiracy to prevent UH alumni from succeeding in reality television. Or maybe it's because her teammates just couldn't stand to live so close to someone from the same state as President Bush.

But, for whatever reason, her brief life as an islander is over. She should consider herself lucky. She has spared herself from the senseless, artificial drama of pseudo-reality television. 

Real-life castaways wouldn't waste their time trotting about an island in bikinis competing in "elimination challenges," they'd be scavenging for food.

Fortunately, there is more to life than reality television on CBS, and it's not like Jones is any stranger to setbacks. 

The former UH track and field champion has been through a lot in her life. Her father committed suicide when she was only 13 months old, leaving her as the primary caretaker for four younger siblings while her mother worked.   There were times when she went without water, electricity or heat, which means she might have had a bit of an advantage over a few of her competitors had she managed to make it to the second round.

But alas, we can't have it all. The important thing here for Jolanda is that she has managed to be successful on the mainland as a lawyer.

Perhaps you could say that she got the last laugh. While her competitors are busy rubbing sticks together over dry grass to make fire, she'll be basking in the comfort and luxury of a modern home. 
 

 Send comments to dcshobiz@mail.uh.edu