Dirk Been (far left), a cast member from the first season of the hit CBS television show "Survivor," visited LCHS on Monday, April 10, to talk to students about abstaining from drugs, sex, and drinking and the importance of setting goals for the future. Been's visit to Lincolnton was sponsored by Lincoln County Family Connection. Pictured with Been are: (l-r) his daughter, Asia; his wife, Cee; Nancy Blount, Family Connection coordinator; Sangae Elam, FC youth development coordinator; Melynda Poss, FC wellness coordinator; and Margaret Mercier, assistant administrator for FC's Rural Health Grant. "It was hard to get any sleep. We got used to the rats crawling on us at night - it was the snakes chasing the rats that we couldn't get used to," stated Dirk Been, reflecting on the time he spent on an island off the coast of Malaysia as a contestant on the very first season of the CBS hit show, "Survivor."

Been was in town on Monday, April 10, to talk to students at LCHS about abstaining from drugs, sex, and drinking and the importance of setting goals for the future.

The "Survivor" cast member became a Christian at an early age and attended church regularly. Not only has he talked the talk, he has walked the walk. He has never touched tobacco or alcohol and abstained from sex until he married his wife, Cee, in 2004.

The couple has since been blessed with a daughter named Asia.

In an interview following one of the assemblies at LCHS, Been, who has just moved back to his hometown of Spring Green, Wisconsin, from Los Angeles, said he grew up on a dairy farm. "Now I'm living next to my parents' dairy farm. After years of strenuous work in sub-zero weather, I try not to work on the farm at all."

Been holds a bachelor's degree in religious studies from Seattle Pacific University where he was named Academic All-Conference in basketball for three years. He currently works as a consultant for a financial services firm in Wisconsin. On the weekends and occasionally during the week, he travels around the country speaking to youth in public schools, colleges, and churches about living a life of abstinence, the importance of education, and getting involved in being a mentor.

Been has spent much of his life working with kids. Throughout his teenage years and beyond, he worked as a sports coach and counselor with such organizations as the Boys & Girls Club and the YMCA.

"I love kids," he said. "I want to be a positive role model for them. That is my focus right now."

Six years ago, his focus was on staying alive on that island off of the coast of Malaysia. Out of 6,000 applicants, Been and 15 others were selected to compete for the show's $1,000,000 prize.

Although he was not the last "Survivor" and did not win the money, Been did gain new insight into life that cannot be measured in dollars. "I took my Bible with me - I was out there on that remote island with nothing but the Word of God. It was then that I began to understand what Jesus meant when he said, 'Man shall not live by bread alone, but by every word that proceeds from the mouth of God.'

"You can't live without the Word of God. My strength came from this - as the others on the island were getting weaker, I was getting stronger. At first they made fun of me, but soon, they began to borrow my Bible and pray. Everybody was hurting."

He added that his relationship with God and his family and his integrity were much more important that a million dollars. "I was there to win, but I wasn't going to sacrifice my integrity to win."

In his final words after being voted off of the island, Been told America, "Tomorrow, I have no clue what the Lord will give me - I'm so thankful for this entire event in my life. It just blows my mind. It's been a blessing from God, and I know that.

"I'm not sure why He yanked me so quick, but I know I tried my best. I had the most fun I could. I worked the hardest I could. I went after it, but some people didn't see it that way, so I'm gone.

"The Word tells us that we're more than conquerors," he continued. "What does the Lord not have His hand in? He has His hand in everything. I was voted out for a reason. I don't know what it is, but the Lord will make it clear. I still can't believe I couldn't catch a fish. Maybe I'm not as good a fisherman as I thought, but you know, something like this challenges you."

In spite of all of the hardships he faced on the island, Been said working on the dairy farm was a lot harder. "It gets very cold in Wisconsin."

These days, Been still keeps in touch with his fellow islanders. "There is a deep bond there. It's kind of like a family - you don't have to like everybody, but you do love them."

Following his stint on "Survivor," Been appeared on "Late Night With David Letterman," "The Tonight Show," "Entertainment Tonight," "Access Hollywood," "The X Show," "Extra," and "E! Entertainment." Moreover, publications such as "TV Guide" and "People" magazine dubbed him as "The Christian Survivor."

"I would rather be known for being a Christian than anything else," he remarked.

When he is not working as a financial consultant or speaking at engagements across the country, Been enjoys spending time with his family, going to church, playing basketball, eating pizza and strawberry shortcake, dancing, and reading.

He is likewise a big fan of the South. "The sweet tea and the pecan waffles and grits at the Waffle House are great. I also like a good low country boil. I love coming down South - the people are so nice."

Been's visit to Lincolnton was sponsored by Lincoln County Family Connection.