‘Amazing’ lessons

Spanish-language teacher Nelson Rojas’ five classes at Corona del Mar High School were all screaming at an ear-splitting volume.

“Period Three!” one group yelled.

It was no wonder they were excited, as Rojas’ classes were filled with fans of CBS’s “The Amazing Race,” and four teams from the last two seasons of the show were 10 feet in front of them.

For the last few years, Rojas has taught the show in his classroom, using its many exotic locales to teach geography in Spanish. But the show has a positive message for students as well, Rojas said.

“I use it to teach geography and history, but also to get them to travel and be good ambassadors, especially in the times we live in nowadays,” he said. “In my class, I tell my kids, ‘I want you guys to study abroad, to spend a year somewhere — go anywhere.’”

But with some chance connections and effort, Rojas and students managed to get “Amazing Race” contestants to visit the school last year, and he topped the effort Friday.

In front of a crowd of nearly 300, eight of the show’s contestants answered audience questions and Rojas’ quizzing, mingled with the audience and talked about how travel has changed them.

“It’s made me the most thankful for what I have in my life,” said Aja Benton, who competed in the most recent season, the 13th. “Going to other places in the world, you realize how happy people can be with so little.”

Some of the event was less serious in tone: Benton’s boyfriend, Tyrone “Ty” White, talked about how painful it was to crush kiwi fruit with his feet, and contestant Mark Yturralde lightheartedly complained about his own hardest challenge.

“Definitely, it was wrestling at 15,000 feet, where there’s no oxygen at all, and you can’t breathe,” Yturralde said.

But Rojas’ message got through, as the guests talked about the importance of seeing the world and keeping an open mind.

For 12th-season competitor Jennifer “Vyxsin” Fiala, the biggest lesson of the show was that she should have paid attention in school.

“I would have taken foreign language a lot more seriously,” she said. “I would have picked one and learned it. It can only help you.”

Rojas said this year’s meet was doing exactly what it was supposed to: open minds.

“I make 180 ‘Amazing Race’ fans every year in my classes,” Rojas said. “They get the travel fever. Their experience in my class isn’t just about learning the words; it’s about learning other cultures.”

MICHAEL ALEXANDER may be reached at (714) 966-4618 or at michael.alexander@latimes. com.