More than a ‘Survivor’
Ethan Zohn, who went from reality TV to AIDS educator, visited Lawrence North to deliver important message - by Melanie D. Hayes (from indystar.com)
As he walked in the door, girls giggled, pointed and shrieked “There he is!”
“He” is Ethan Zohn, the 2002 “Survivor: Africa” winner.
Zohn, 33, a former professional soccer player who hosts two TV soccer shows, was in Indianapolis for the National Soccer Coaches Association of America’s convention at the Indianapolis Convention Center and also made a stop at Lawrence North High School to give a presentation to the senior class on Thursday.
Although girls were excited to see a celebrity and to take photos with him, Zohn came from New York to deliver a more important message.
Zohn wanted to let students know that the teenage years can be a confusing time, but everyone must find their path, and find it in themselves to be selfless and help people. He related to kids by sharing personal stories, showing clips from “Survivor,” joking with them and by being down to earth.
“We can make a difference. I just think it’s important that everyone can do something with who they are,” he said. “I’m a soccer player, so I gave back through soccer.”
During his time in Africa, Zohn saw firsthand how devastating the AIDS epidemic was and wanted to help combat it. He used the $1 million he won on “Survivor” to start a nonprofit organization called Grassroot Soccer a few months after his victory.
“In Africa, soccer players are the gods, the heroes,” he said. “We train professional soccer players in Africa about HIV and AIDS, and they go to schools and teach kids about AIDS prevention. We teach them to change their behavior and help them lead healthy lifestyles.”
So far, Grassroot Soccer has worked with a half-million kids, and by 2008 will have touched 1 million, he said. Zohn’s organization works predominantly in four African countries but has branched out to eight others.
“If you have much, give from your wealth. If you have little, give from your heart,” Zohn said. “Making happiness real to others is one of the greatest things you can do, and one of the simplest things.”
Zohn also was in Indianapolis doing promotional work with Key Club International, which is having him as its keynote speaker at its convention in Orlando in July, said Grant Lin, 16, a junior. Lin is an international trustee with Key Club, the largest and oldest service organization for high school students.
Lin helped set up Zohn’s appearance at his school and was excited about meeting him.
“I just thought it was really cool because it’s not every day that you get a ‘Survivor’ winner or motivational speaker that comes to your school,” Lin said. “I thought it was a good speech. It was pretty inspirational and hopefully the message doesn’t just hit on me, but most people in the room, if not all.”