Leann Slaby grew up in Kronenwetter WI, just off old Highway 51. Her parents still live there, and here two siblings, Russ and Lisa don't live too far away.

The D.C. Everest graduate is the youngest of three siblings. She was selected out of more than 50,000 applicants to join the cast of "Survivor:Vanuatau" that airs September 16.

Her friends and family back home say they're excited for the 35-year-old contestant, and are not surprised she made it.

"She goes after things; she decides she wants to do something and she goes after it," says Ron Slaby, Leann's father.

"I don't think anybody would be surprised that she made it on here, because she's just that type of energetic woman," says Leslei Meuret-Schoenherr.

The title of the show, Survivor, Leann's father says is fitting. In March of 1998, Leann donated one of her kidneys to her father. It's a gift that dad says he'll never forget.

You can catch Leann September 16 on NewsChannel 7.