JoAnna Ward was a 31-year-old School Guidance Counselor from Orangeburg, South Carolina when she competed on
Survivor: The Amazon. A South Carolina State University graduate with a bachelor's in English education and a master's in guidance counseling, JoAnna was recruited on a basketball scholarship and is an AFAA Certified aerobics instructor. Her devout Christian faith made her refuse to touch the tribal Immunity Idol, causing conflict with Christy Smith and other tribemates. JoAnna was blindsided on Day 12 when Deena Bennett deemed her too much of a threat due to her work ethic and challenge strength, and she was notably mentioned on The Office in Season 5.