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A self-described people person, Debra Beebe
is a middle school principal and married mom from Auburn,
Alabama who believes that her natural leadership abilities
and tactful problem-solving skills will contribute to her
success as a castaway on SURVIVOR. Debra, also known as
"Bubbles," feels that her enthusiastic and
energetic personality, in addition to her take-charge
attitude, will erase any doubts about her ability to succeed
in this game.
The fact that she is one of the older castaways will not be
a hindrance for this woman who previously trained alongside
Olympic athletes and still rises every morning at 4:30AM to
get in her daily workout before tackling a day filled with
hundreds of pubescent teens, pre-teens, parents, faculty and
staff. Not one to be intimidated (even at a tiny 5’2”),
Debra juggles work, her husband and her children. It’s no
surprise that this go-getter won “Alabama’s Principal of
the Year” award yet still finds occasional free time for
shopping and dancing.
Debra feels that her occupation has taught her how to deal
with politics which she can apply to the group dynamics of
her tribe. With her abilities as a natural leader combined
with her bossy and competitive nature, Debra plans to focus
on the weaknesses of others in an effort to get them
eliminated.
Debra is married with five children and currently resides in
Auburn, Ala. Her birthday is September 28.
Jeff Probst: Debra's
interesting because she's quote unquote an older woman this
season. But she doesn't act like one. And her life
experience of working with kids all the time as a Principal
also helps keep her young. I mean look at how she dresses
and how she wears her hair. She has a very young energy. The
question is will she get labeled with a first impression of:
'eh...she's the old woman, let's get rid of her'. Or will
people think 'she's got a lot of energy, she's got a lot of
vitality, maybe we should keep her around'.
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Life is grand. I mean the
reason I love it so much is you never know what's gonna hit
you each day. I mean with 6th and 7th graders and the
hormones, life is pretty exciting actually. I think I have a
huge advantage because I'm a Middle School Principal. I deal
with...I have 908 6th and 7th graders which come with parents
and siblings. I deal with a huge diverse group on a daily
basis. I also personally have teenagers of my own. Some look
as about as old as some of the castmembers. And so I have a
huge diverse background in dealing with people from all
different backgrounds, different likes, different beliefs. And
I kind of morph and work with them...because I do it on a
daily basis as a Principal.
Obviously I am one of the older
contestants. It can concern me a little bit but I also think
it's going to be to my advantage. I'm in great shape. I'm
going to do wonderful in the challenges. And I'm going to bust
it around camp. I'm going to work hard. But I also can be kind
of the 'mother' figure a little bit to some of these younger
kids.
But I'm also kind of a clown.
And I love that time, like my kids want to go out with me.
Because I may be the one that's in the middle of dance floor
doing a back handspring. I've been known to do that. And so I
think I can relate to them really well and have a good time
doing so. But I do think that...that's why I've worked out
every single morning at 4:30 to 6 since the Finals, to get
myself in the best possible shape I can be in. Because I do
know my age could be negative aspect going in.
I am extremely outgoing. I have
a tendency to wear my heart on my sleeve. I immediately say my
feelings. I trust way too much. And so even in this process,
I'm even telling myself: 'step back and think'. You know,
'don't be a leader'. 'Cause I have such a tendency to take
over and 'lead'...because that's what I do everyday. And I
really want to step back a little bit from that role. And not
come off the 'bossy leader'. I cannot stand whiners and
negative. You know there's other people in the world that
always have it worse than we do. And to me 'life' is not a
dress rehearsal, this is all we've got. and you gotta live
each day to the fullest. And negativity and people whining and
complaining will drive me insane.
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