Barrington High School alum in 'Amazing Race' final four

For 12 weeks, millions of viewers watched Amy DeJong as she navigated a boat at Oxford University in England, crossed a canyon on a rope bridge in Morocco, and plowed a rice paddy in the Philippines.

Tonight, viewers might see the 24-year-old Barrington High School alum win a share of a $1 million prize.

DeJong has made it to the final episode of the CBS reality show “The Amazing Race,” which will air at 7 p.m.

Kathryn Wolfkiel, who taught DeJong in her French class for two years at Barrington High, said it has been great to see her former student succeed on the show using some of the same traits she used to succeed in high school.

“Amy is very bright and thinks well on her feet,” said Wolfkiel, the World Language Department chair at Barrington. “She's very logical, thinks things through and has a good head on her shoulders.”

DeJong has had to put those traits to good use over the course of the show. During a particularly grueling challenge that involved delivering coconuts on a hot day in the Philippines, DeJong became dehydrated. But she and her teammate, college friend Maya Warren, were able to press on and earn a spot in the final episode.

“She is very determined as well,” Wolfkiel said.

“She has the ability to see the big picture and keep the goal.”

Wolfkiel said DeJong is an exceptionally kind person. That showed on “The Amazing Race,” when she and Warren would help out their competitors.

“One of the least rewarding things about high school teachers you don't get to see your finished product,” Wolfkiel said. “Its so nice to see her being successful and what a nice young woman she has become.”