Westfield Native Looks To Be Sole 'Survivor' Of Reality Show

WESTFIELD, NJ - Westfield native Dean Kowalski is looking to outwit, outplay and outlast 19 competitors on the reality show "Survivor" premiering later this month on CBS.

Kowalski is part of the season 39 cast of castaways on the Emmy-award winning series that challenges players in a competition against the elements, themselves and each other.

The 28-year-old Google ad salesman says he has found success for three distinct reasons.

"Likeability, humility and social intelligence in general, " he said in his application video for the show. The video, which features random testimonials from people in New York, is below.

Before finding success selling $30,000 in ads a month for the tech giant, Kowalski was a math teacher, where he said his job was to sell teenagers on Algebra. But from his time teaching came some of what he calls his proudest moments. And where he draws his inspiration from.

"Shirley Manzanares was one of my 9th grade Algebra 1 students in my first year teaching. Shirley was an A+ student and the most respectful and loving soul," Kowalski said when asked who inspires him. "What you didn't see was her two jobs to help pay for prom, her caring for her two younger siblings while her mom worked at night, and her dedication to community service. Shirley will be the first in her family to attend college."

Kowalski has lived a life filled with competition and success, and said his interest in Survivor stems from craving new challenges and experiences, and that the show features the most "uniquely strategic game ever."

Kowalski attended Saint Patrick's High School in Elizabeth, where he was a basketball standout. He was captain of a team that featured future NBA star Kyrie Irving. Graduating in 2009, Kowalski went on to play basketball for Columbia University.

The valedictorian of his class, Kowalski was asked back as a guest speaker at his high school back in 2011.

When it comes to competing this season, Kowalski said he knows why he will survive survivor.

"Self-awareness is one of the most important leadership characteristics. My social intelligence will allow me to read when to go big and when to fall back. I strongly believe in my ability to get along with and be liked by a variety of different people," he said. "This will allow me to build strong, diverse alliances. Additionally, my athletic and puzzle abilities will make me a threat within challenges. My experience working in sales will fuel my persuasion within my alliances."

Kowalski is part of the "Island of the Idols" season of "Survivor" which premieres later this month. This edition features two legendary winners, "Boston" Rob Mariano and Sandra Diaz-Twine, who return to the game not to compete, but to serve as mentors to the group of 20 new players, according to the CBS website.

Combined, Boston Rob and Sandra have played over 200 days of Survivor, and now they plan to share what they've learned with the new castaways. The players will then attempt to put those learned skills to the test and chase the title of Sole Survivor—not to mention the $1 million grand prize.

The season begins with a 90-minute season premiere on Wednesday, Sept. 25 at 8 p.m. on CBS and CBS All Access.

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