Morton High grad shares experience on Deal or No Deal Island: 'An amazing experience'

A Morton High School graduate is a potential network TV millionaire. And former classmates might well remember the 63-year-old reality/game show contestant.

Kim Mattina — formerly Kim Vollertsen — will appear on "Deal or No Deal Island," a 12-episode series that debuts on NBC on Feb. 26 at 8:30 p.m. A news release described the program as a "devious, action-packed twist" on the original show. In the new version, 13 players compete in physical challenges to find hidden briefcases filled with cash and try to avoid elimination by other contestants who successfully play a round of Deal or No Deal. In the way are prominently placed snakes and other hazards. Host Joe Manganiello ("True Blood," "Spider-Man") oversees the quest for millions of dollars in prize money.

A proud Morton Potter

Born in Helena, Montana, Mattina moved to Illinois in 1966 and was a "Morton Potter, Class of 1979" graduate. She was active on the homecoming committee, student council, swim team and at sporting events, she said. She fondly recalled hanging out at the local Dairy Queen and A&W. "Everybody knew everybody," she said of her time in Morton.

Mattina then moved back to Montana, joined the Air Force, was stationed to Italy, married and had a son. She eventually relocated to Arizona, where she is currently "retirement prepping" in Anthem, a small town north of Phoenix.

She is a skin cancer survivor, diagnosed about 12 years ago. She underwent four surgeries but bounced back "better than ever," she said. She is currently cancer-free. She said the experience was part of her story and taught her "to not say no to experiences or opportunities," including "Deal or No Deal Island." After beating cancer, she said, "I can do anything I put my mind to."

Including braving those snakes, of which she said, "There were snakes inside of the game, and outside of the game," referring to both no-legged and two-legged, devious obstacles.

Nevertheless, she said, "I made some wonderful friendships," and she has since kept in contact with her game show competitors.

A reality show fan

An avid competitive reality TV fan, Mattina heard of and applied for one of the openings on "Deal or No Deal Island." It was her first network appearance on reality TV. She previously appeared on — and won — the YouTube-only show "Sequester," Season 2. For that, she won $2,500. For "No Deal Island," she could potentially win up to $200 million.

More: New NBC reality show includes a contestant formerly of Peoria and Morton

So, did she win?

Mattina, who regularly returns to her hometown to attend high school reunions and the Morton Pumpkin Festival to catch up with old friends, may have a new accomplishment to share.

The season for "Deal or No Deal Island" has already been filmed, and she couldn't reveal the winner. But she did say it was "an amazing adventure," adding, "Everyone was there to play, just like me. There was a lot of game play, a lot of drama, a lot of fun."

And freshly minted millionaire or not, Mattina still anticipates her next visit to the Peoria area. She said she was "looking forward to a Gondola at Avanti's."

This article originally appeared on Journal Star: Morton grad plays for millions on game show "Deal or No Deal Island"