Dean Kowalski

Dean Kowalski is a contestant from Survivor: Island of the Idols.

Profile

Retrieved from CBS.com

Age: 28
Hometown: Westfield, New Jersey
Current residence: New York City
Occupation: Tech Sales
Hobbies: Basketball, crafts, and DJ-ing.
Pet peeves: People honking in dead-stop traffic, people from the back pushing up a couple rows upon airplane landing, and roommates leaving dirty dishes in the sink for a prolonged period of time.
Three words to describe you: Jovial, observant, and likeable.
What accomplishment are you most proud of? Achieving the highest success rate of all Miami Algebra 1 teachers for students passing the end of year exam.
Who or what is your inspiration in life? Shirley Manzanares. Shirley 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. 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.
What's one thing we wouldn't know from seeing a photo of you? I have recently grown to appreciate astronomy, physics, and our place in the universe.
Which Survivor contestant are you most like? Wendell for his quiet leadership.
What's your primary motivation for being on Survivor? I crave new challenges/experiences, and it's the most uniquely strategic game ever.
Why do you think you'll "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. 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.^[2]