Nick Wilson wins, ‘Survivor’

“Surreal,” is how Whitley County native Nick Wilson described his 39-day journey on TV’s “Survivor,” going from nearly being the first one eliminated to the last castaway standing Wednesday night.
“I went through tons of ups and downs in this game,” Wilson said during the live finale on CBS.
The theme of this season was, “David versus Goliath.”
The David Tribe, of which Wilson was a member, was made up of individuals who had scratched and clawed their way through life.
The Goliath Tribe was made up of members who had come from a place of privilege and had capitalized on their advantage to crush the competition.
After the December 12 show when the final five were announced, Wilson found himself the last David remaining.
“I felt like I was up against the whole Philistine Army,” Wilson said.
Yet Wilson continued to persevere, reaching the final vote Wednesday night against Mike White and Angelina Keeley.
Seconds after the final vote was cast, host Jeff Probst whisked the jar away, explaining the results would be revealed during the live reunion.
Wilson received the first vote out of the jar, but White came back with the next three votes. However, the final five votes went in Wilson’s favor, causing the 27-year-old to break down in tears as he hugged his family.
Wilson said he had tried to become a contestant multiple times.
“I grew up in Sunday School, so when I heard the theme was, ‘David versus Goliath,” I thought this is the season I’m supposed to be on,’” Wilson said.
Wilson, who works in the public defender’s office, said he had initially become an attorney because of the money, but found it was his calling to help those in need.
“I felt like this was a calling instead of a career. I can stay in Kentucky and do what I have been called to do,” Wilson said of winning the $1 million prize.