Gainesville's Kristi Caudell survives round one of The Apprentice

NEW YORK - Gainesville's Kristi Caudell successfully made it through the first round of cuts on "The Apprentice," on NBC-TV Thursday night.

Caudell, 24, is a graduate of North Hall High School and Brenau University. She has a daughter in the second grade, and formerly worked in sales at Gold Creek Golf Club in Dawsonville.

Caudell is one of 18 candidates who began the night vying to earn a spot in Donald Trump's real estate empire. Her biggest challenge came from Melissa, a 30-year-old real estate investor from Tampa, who attempted to portray Kristi as weak and an ineffective leader.

At the end of the hour, Trump made his famous "you're fired," call, giving Melissa the boot, allowing Kristi to take on the competition again next Thursday at 9 p.m. in round two.

"The Apprentice" airs on WXIA-TV, Channel 11.