Well, I guess I will close out this thread with some facts about Kelly, the winner. This article is from our local paper. I graduated from the school that is mentioned several times in the article.
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Apprentice' finalist has Sarasota connection
By DAVID HACKETT
david.hackett@heraldtribune.com
Over the past 35 years, Pine View School has graduated its share of future lawyers, doctors and entrepreneurs.
But for sheer fame, it is unlikely any of the school's former students will surpass Kelly Perdew, who is a step away from becoming the next "Apprentice."
From more than 200,000 applicants, Perdew is one of the final two candidates to land a top job with Donald Trump on "The Apprentice 2," which concludes with a two-hour live broadcast Thursday on NBC.
Perdew, 37, attended Pine View -- Sarasota County's school for gifted students, where the average SAT score is 1,321 -- from fourth through ninth grade.
Even in classrooms full of brainiacs, he stood out.
"In fourth grade, he was using the sixth-grade spelling book," recalled classmate Anne Toale, now a Sarasota lawyer. "He was also very athletic and all the girls had a crush on him."
Just the kind of guy other boys loved to hate, except no one hated him.
"One of the most popular kids in school," Toale recalled. "And incredibly competitive. I remember him organizing games of Capture the Flag and Four Square between classes."
He went on to build a resume that might make some question whether Trump should be Perdew's apprentice, not the other way around.
Trump, after all, recently filed for bankruptcy.
Perdew was a finalist for a Rhode's Scholarship and, in the Army, graduated from the ultra-tough Ranger training.
Perdew graduated from the U.S. Military Academy at West Point, served as a military intelligence officer, earned both an MBA and a law degree from the University of California at Los Angeles and became a software entrepreneur, reportedly selling one of his Internet firms for "eight figures." He now lives in Carlsbad, Calif.
Perdew and San Francisco attorney Jennifer Massey -- "Jenn M." -- are the finalists among 18 candidates who started the reality-based TV show in September.
Although not as popular as the original "Apprentice," the second-season show was 10th in last week's Nielsen ratings of most-watched programs.
Already, Perdew has become a celebrity with his own Web site and newsletter, which chronicle "KP's deals and latest projects."
Perdew's success didn't surprise his former English teacher, Barbara Van Arsdale.
"Kelly was one of the neatest kids I ever taught," she said. "Very bright and with a real sunny disposition."
Contacted Monday afternoon at her home in Sarasota, Van Arsdale, who retired in 1990, was surprised to learn that Perdew was appearing on "The Apprentice."
Unlike many Pine View alumni, faculty and staff who have been following each episode, Van Arsdale said she has never seen "The Apprentice" and has no plans to watch:
"Nothing against Kelly, but I wouldn't watch Donald Trump if he was the last man standing in a battle. Fear Island, people eating worms -- my God, who is watching these shows?"
Perdew signed a confidentiality agreement with NBC prohibiting interviews with the media until the show is over.
Perdew left Sarasota when he was 14 to live with his father, Tom, a real estate developer, in Wyoming. His dad described him as "The Natural."
"When he put his mind to it, there was nothing that boy couldn't do," said his father, who now lives in Englewood. "He hardly picked up a tennis racket before his senior year in high school. But this girl he was dating was a big tennis player, so he joined the team and became an all-state player."
Tom Perdew said his son will be able to handle anything Trump throws at him, so long as he doesn't ask him to sing and dance: "Kelly can't carry a tune in a bucket."
There's more at stake in Thursday's finale than mere fame. The winner will get a job with Trump with an estimated salary of $250,000.
Bill Rancic, last year's winner, is in charge of building the Trump Tower in Chicago.
Perdew has not only survived the weekly tests of business acumen, he has been the front-runner for much of the season. In a Yahoo poll of the final four candidates taken before last week's show, 67 percent of viewers predicted Massey would hear the trademark "You're fired," while only 5 percent predicted Perdew would be axed.
In the final episode, Perdew is in charge of organizing a polo match, while Massey is putting on a charity basketball game.
"Kelly's been by far the best," said Toale, his former Pine View classmate. "The only problem is that they gave it to a white male last time. They could be politically correct and give it to the girl."
If his son wins, Tom Perdew said, Trump should consider putting Kelly in charge of his financially ailing casino.
"Kelly would solve the problems or die trying," he said.
No matter what happens, Toale expects Perdew to visit Sarasota next year for Pine View's Class of 1985 reunion.
"He was here for our 10th and recently wrote that he would be back for our 20th," Toale said. "I'm sure he'll have a lot to talk about."