Essex Co. woman to appear on national television

MORIAH | Essex County resident Melanie Sawyer had always been enchanted by the History Channel's popular television show "Alone," being a faithful viewer since the premiere of its first season. "It fascinated me to see and learn from contestants who I consider to be very knowledgeable and extraordinary in their many different fields," said Sawyer, who now lives in the rural outskirts of Moriah. Now that fascination has turned into firsthand experience. Sawyer will be introduced as a competitor on the popular program, bringing her own knowledge to the table in an effort to flourish - and survive. With its 10th season premiering on Thursday, June 8, the survival series pits a group of 10 individuals in a last person standing, requiring them to tap deep into their survival skills as they compete for a $500,000 cash prize. Sawyer's season will feature the severe backdrop of Northern Saskatchewan and will require the small group to endure bone-chilling temperatures while sleeping with one eye open, black bears, wolves, and moose lurking in the Canadian Arctic. Each contestant is allowed only 10 survival items and enough camera gear to document their own experiences, camera crews nonexistent. The ultimate test of the human will, "Alone" was right up Sawyer's alley. Born in a tiny village in the Cotswolds in England (very close to Shakespeare country for reference), Sawyer works in the children's fashion industry. Sawyer also has her Thunderhawk Living History School, where she teaches and educates children and adults about all aspects of what life was like in the 1700s in the Northeast Coast of what we now call America. She also teaches children traditional wilderness skills and fire-starting techniques, aiming to provide them knowledge and to empower or inspire them. "I was initially approached by a casting agent from the show to apply for Season 9," Sawyer explained. At that point in her life, Sawyer had to turn the opportunity down because she felt her two children, Felix (23) and Lucas (20), still needed her support and attention. "When I was later approached again for Season 10, I was thrilled. I reassessed that time in my life and happily accepted the challenge to start the application process to become a contestant." That process was no easy feat - there were approximately 43,000 other applicants for the coveted 10 spots. However, Sawyer clearly looked good on paper and even more compelling for television in the flesh. "I think I was a good candidate for Alone because I have perpetual optimism, tenacity, and go out and get it energy in life," Sawyer reflected, saying she believed she was approached because of her living history experience and extensive foraging knowledge. "I believe that positive outlook coupled with my intensive foraging and historical knowledge of how people survived in the 1700s made it a very good mix and interesting angle for the show." Sawyer described her experience in taking part in a challenge like "Alone" as an opportunity of a lifetime to have an experience in the Arctic that she never could have afforded on her own. "I want to encourage people to grab that dream or secret wish that they've always wanted to do and go for it. If you don't, then you will always think 'what if?' I have learned through my life experiences to never let that happen and to carpe diem as much as I am able." And of those people she hopes to encourage are Sawyer's true passion, the children. "My main goal for coming out of this experience is to try to help people, especially children, have confidence in themselves," she said. "Through teaching my outdoors skills classes, I have learned that taking the fear out of being outside in nature and learning new skills has given so many kids and adults the understanding and confidence to try new things that they may have never done before. From making a fire to building a good survival shelter to learning what they can safely eat in the wild, the best thing we can ever do is to help and inspire each other. That to me is gold." Sawyer's wilderness school classes are run through Thunderhawk Living History School at www.thunderhawklivinghistory.com. Follow Sawyer's journey and stay up-to-date on all things "Alone" by visiting their social media handles: Instagram: @AloneHistory @HistoryTV, Facebook: @Alone, and Twitter: @HISTORY.

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Essex Co. woman to appear on national television

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