It seems like reality TV contestants from our area are everywhere nowadays. Most notable for York County is 99.1FM’s Leslie Nease, who appeared on “Survivor: China” a couple seasons ago. But we also enjoyed watching Petrozza come in 2nd place on “Hell’s Kitchen” last season. Other reality TV “stars” from our metropolitan area include former Olympic-athlete Crystal from “Survivor: Gabon” (does that make three seasons in a row to feature someone from this area?), Lacey on the new season of “Hell’s Kitchen,” Carmen on “Project Runway 4″ and veterinarian Bilenda Madison on last year’s wacky-but-awesome “I Survived a Japanese Game Show.”

This season we get to enjoy, as I mentioned a moment ago, someone new on “Survivor” – Jerry Sims. A resident of Rock Hill, SC, Sims is a Sergeant in the U.S. Army who spent a tour in Afghanistan before being cast on this latest season of the CBS hit series. Based on the first episode, which aired last Thursday, he seems like a very likable guy who has a decent strategy in place – stay strong, but don’t stand out too much.

I’ve watched every season of “Survivor” since the days of Richard Hatch as the snake that ate the rat. But this is the first time I’ve genuinely felt from the outset like our hometown hero can take home the prize!

Tune in tonight to CBS at 8 p.m. to watch “Survivor” and see how far Jerry can go. We’re hoping he goes all the way!

GO JERRY!!!