After being chosen as one of 18 contestants for the CBS hit, Survivor: Guatemala, Boatwright ultimately capitalized on her charismatic personality, quick wit and athleticism to propel her to victory on the demanding series. Among those she outlasted along the way was Gary Hogeboom, a former NFL quarterback who played 10 seasons for the Dallas Cowboys, Indianapolis Colts and Phoenix Cardinals. In analyzing her appearance on Survivor: Guatemala, Danni is most proud of never having had to compromise her Christian principles in winning the survival ordeal and the $1 million prize.
At age 30, Boatwright has been spending her time since last December furthering her sports-casting career – an effort that has included being a sideline reporter for the Kansas City Brigade, an entry in the Arena Football League. Danni Boartwright became a familiar name across the country at an early age – more than a dozen years ago.
A 1993 Tonganoxie (Kan.) High School graduate, she was a high school athlete who competed in basketball, volleyball, cross country and track. As a freshman, she helped set a record in the two-mile relay that still stands today.
Boatwright represented the state of Kansas at the 1992 Miss Teen USA Pageant in Biloxi, Mississippi, and was second runner-up to the title. She also represented Kansas at the 1996 Miss USA Pageant, where she won all preliminary judging and was first runner-up to the title of “MISS USA.” She was voted one of the “100 Most Beautiful Women.”
Danni traveled around the world as an international model in Italy, England, Germany, France, Mexico, South Africa, Australia and Tunisia. At age 17, she was chosen to be on Star Search as a spokesmodel and contestant. She was the youngest ever chosen to appear on the show in this category.
Boatwright has also appeared in numerous TV and print advertisements, as well as a television sitcom starring Dudley Moore. Boatwright continues to be active in sports, having recently competed in the Nashville “Music City Marathon.”
In addition to hosting “Weekend Wrap,” a weekly talk show on 610 Sports in Kansas City, she has made guest appearances with ESPN’s “Classic Now” program. Also, she was asked by Kansas Governor Kathleen Sebelius to serve on the Kansas Sports Hall of Fame Board of Trustees.
In a recent interview, Boatwright said she would like to return to Guatemala for mission work and to possibly adopt a Guatemalan child. She also wants to start a charity that, among other things, would work with young girls on dealing with self-image issues.
As for the image she chooses to portray: “An all-American girl next door. A sports fanatic. A tomboy. And definitely that it’s cool being religious.”
Tickets for the Wheat Bowl Banquet are priced at $22 a piece. Advance reservation is required. For information on the banquet, or the Wheat Bowl Football Classic to be contested on Saturday, August 26, at 7 p.m. at the Great Bend Memorial Stadium, call (620-564-3359 or write Wheat Bowl Inc., P.O. Box 1728, Great Bend, KS 67530.
