Have you been keeping with America’s new favorite science teacher? The French Camp man has not only Choctaw County rooting for him, but millions are tuned in to see how he fares from week to week.
If you’ve been keeping up, Hunter McKnight’s tribe Nami – which consisted of Sodasia “Soda” Thompson, Tevin Davis, Liz Wilcox, Randen Montalvo and Venus Vafa -- has held a competitive edge escaping seeing host Jeff Probst by fire and has escaped hearing the infamous words “The tribe has spoken.”
One of McKnight’s castmates, Montalvo had to be medically evacuated and couldn’t return to the game. But, being down a tribe member didn’t have much of an effect on Nami.
And McKnight hit a snag with the 20 Survivor logos – and losing two tribal council votes, but it didn’t set him back. And – he found an idol.
Things on the island are looking for McKnight.
Nami, Siga and Yanu have all merged and McKnight experienced his first tribal council, but he wasn’t in danger of having his name written down.
During the challenge, the merged tribe was split into two teams, by draw. With their being 13 players one player had to sit out but bet on who won – and she bet correctly.
Crawling through the net and the thick mud proved to be a challenge, but after the mud, McKnight’s team – which included another fellow Mississippian, Quintavius. “Q” Burdette of Senatobia – was able to sail past, but the puzzle proved to be well, puzzling.
McKnight was the last leg of the puzzle and his brilliant performance on their puzzle got them the win.
And as a reward, they enjoyed hearty spread of their favorite food.
And TeamHunter46 has been enjoying every minute. The group gathers every Wednesday and hold worship before watching their favorite science teacher face the next challenge that lies ahead.
For Tonya Barlow, things are full circle seeing Hunter grow into his own.
“I’ve known him his whole life. His mom was a cheer coach and he was born at the end of my junior year,” Barlow said. She said she’s always been close to McKnight’s family and the two have worked on different projects.
“I took it upon myself to be his hype squad,” Barlow said.
She said it’s exciting to see millions learn more about the hidden gem that is French Camp. “It’s really cool. People are inquiring more and more about what we do. So, that’s really cool and I get to be his spokesperson.”
Every Wednesday, until the season finale, the group gathers at the lodge at Camp of the Rising Sun at 6 p.m. Barlow said the first time they met, they had 300 people, and they had to move to the Living Stones building at French Camp Presbyterian.
Barlow said they had 150 people who meet each Wednesday.
“We have our faithfuls, but there are people who travel just to watch with us,” she said.
She said it’s interesting to see McKnight grow into this star, but for those who know him, he’s just Hunter.
“We love watching him on screen with the rest of the world every week,” Barlow said.
TeamHunter46 merch is still available and can be purchased on Barlow Blue’s website.
“Anyone is welcomed to come join us on Wednesday nights. We have worship from 6 p.m. until 6:45 p.m., then we watch Survivor. Then from 7 p.m. until 8:30 p.m. we have Survivor challenges and play games. It’s really fun,” she said.
