Ojai girl 'Survivor' cast-away
By Jesse Phelps

"Survivor," now entering its seventh installment, might still be described as the original reality television show by which all others are measured. In this year's edition, which makes its debut Sept. 18, the Pearl Islands off the coast of Panama form the setting. Two tribes will once again battle for initial supremacy, ultimately setting up one lucky winner for a million dollar prize.

Christa Hastie signed up hoping to be that person and made the final cut. Hastie, who grew up in Ojai, attended Nordhoff High School and U.C. Irvine. But she's not talking about her latest learning adventure.

Like all reality show contestants, Hastie is prevented by a network imposed gag-order from discussing aspects of the experience until her elimination or victory has aired. Her friends in the community paint a picture of a smart and fun person, who they expect to do very well on the show.

"She's a super person," said Andi Bloom, who owns Tottenham Court, the arcade eatery where Hastie worked for seven years, on and off. "She would do everything around here. That's why I know she's going to be fabulous on that show. She'll eat the spiders or whatever it takes. Whatever you have to do, she'll do it. And she's very bright."

Survivor contestants are asked to endure all manner of scheming and manipulating and physical hardships and depravation can both come into play. Endurance is required. Hastie played tennis at Nordhoff and those who know her say she should be ready for the challenge.

Rose Boggs, who coached Hastie when she played on the Nordhoff tennis team, predicted good things. "I'm sitting here thinking, she's going on 'Survivor,' she's going to win," said Boggs. "She's got that personality. She's very determined. She's got a great sense of humor, and was always thinking of something to make the team laugh. She played doubles with Melissa Bartholomew. In '95 when she played, we went to CIF semi-finals."

Susana Arce, assistant principal at Nordhoff, remembers Hastie as an "excellent student, very bright and attractive, always smiling. She had a lot of personality and was in honors classes.

She was an all around great girl, enjoyable, friendly and intelligent," said Arce. "She would accept academic challenges and was successful in meeting those challenges - good grade-point average. I'm not surprised because she's the kind of girl that would extend herself and do things that would be challenging."

Bloom said Hastie was also a member of the chess club. "She's just one of those. Plus, she got very good grades. And she's cute. She looks healthy."

Once voted Ojai's Miss Congeniality, Hastie is engaged to a racecar driver. Their wedding day was moved back due to her good fortune in having the opportunity to participate in the show, said one source.

Once Hastie's run on the show is over, said a CBS official, she'll make an appearance on the network's "Early Show," then begin entertaining further interviews.

© 2003 The Ojai Valley News

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