"Her dad is a lawyer, and by the seventh grade, she decided that it was a good job. Now she's getting ready for grad school, and the law is still her first choice. She's a recent graduate from the University of Mary Washington. Meet..."
2008 Kids Week Reunion player (2008-09-19).
1999 Back to School Week winner: $5,201 + a trip for 4 to Universal Studios Florida.
My father, who was a lifelong fan of Jeopardy!, introduced me to the show when I was still in grade school. I remember watching the show with him and trying to guess the answers, even when it was highly unlikely that I would know anything about the subject. Sometimes, my younger brother would join us and attempt to give a correct answer. The first time that I was able to answer a final Jeopardy! question, my father told me how proud he was of me.
I knew as I watched Jeopardy! that someday, I would get a chance to compete as a contestant on the show. I didn't know when but I believed that it would be when I was much older and likely to know more of the answers; however, when I was 12 years old, my father and I were watching Jeopardy! and learned, during a commercial break, that auditions would be held for games featuring a parent and a child. My father and I were very excited and immediately began to take the steps necessary to become contestants.
We were notified of the first audition and, a few weeks later, traveled to New York City, eager to take part in the audition process; however, when all of the potential contestants had arrived, the show's producers informed everyone that a show featuring parents and children would no longer be held. Instead, children would be the sole contestants. At that point, I was separated from my father and given a test featuring questions which covered a wide array of topics.
After the test was over, my father and the other parents returned. The names of the individuals who had passed the test were read aloud. While staff members called out the names of the kids who had made it to the second round, my heart was beating in my chest. Eventually, they stopped calling the names and I realized that I had not been called. I was very disappointed; however, within ten seconds, three additional names were provided, and one was mine. Once again, my father left the room, and the remaining kids participated in a mock game of Jeopardy! We were all told that the show would be in touch with us.
I did not hear from the producers for several weeks. As the summer came nearer, my mother began to inquire about a possible family vacation. My father told her that he believed that I would be a contestant on the show and that all vacation plans were to be postponed until we were contacted by the Jeopardy! producers. A few days later, my mother again asked my father if we were to go on vacation. Once more, he told her that he believed that I would be a contestant. Just a few days later, the Jeopardy! producers called and informed my family that I was to be on the show.
Before I knew it, I was on my way to California with my mother, father, and brother. We stayed in a fabulous hotel in Beverly Hills where, after we checked in, I met several of the other contestants. They all seemed so nice and so smart that I was very nervous about how I was going to do on the show.
To prepare for the show, my father had outlined several areas for me to study; however, my mother thought that this would put too much pressure on me and so the only thing that I looked at with my dad was a map of the world (ultimately, this would not matter); however, my dad did give me some advice about how to wager when it came to Final Jeopardy! that would prove to be very helpful.
Early the next morning, the other contestants and I were taken to the studio where the show would later be filmed. Upon our arrival, we were given additional time to become better acquainted with each other. Later, we each filmed our own "Hometown Howdy" which would air in the week prior to the actual show. Next, we each participated in a practice game. This was to allow us to become more familiar with the set and the signaling buzzer. I was very nervous but found that the most difficult part of the show, besides the questions, would be buzzing in at just the right moment.
After the practice game ended, I was informed that I was to be in the first show. Knowing that I would be unable to see how some of the other contestants would do made me more nervous; however, I didn't have much time to think about this as the taping started shortly afterwards. The game began and it quickly became clear to me that the other contestants, Nate and Zach, would be difficult opponents. Some of the questions were easier to answer than others. As the show progressed into the second round, I began to use my signaling buzzer too early and was unable to answer certain questions.
Final Jeopardy! began and I was in second place. I decided that I would listen to my father and follow his advice about how much money to wager. When the question was read, I realized that I knew the answer, having learned about the topic just a few weeks earlier. When each of our answers and wagers had been revealed, I realized that I had won the competition by one dollar!
Kids Week Reunion
I was contacted by one of Jeopardy's producers in the spring of 2008. I was in the process of finishing my senior year of college and was concentrating on my future, not my past. I was quite surprised to learn that a Kids Week Reunion was being considered. I eagerly expressed an interest in participating, but was aware of the possibility that such a show would not occur; however, I kept my fingers crossed and hoped that I would return to California.
In June, I learned that the reunion show was actually going to occur. As the summer passed, I tried not to think about Jeopardy! too often as I worried that to do so would make me quite anxious. Before I knew it, my father and I were in California and it was the morning of the show's taping.
I met the other contestants in the lobby of our beautiful hotel. After a quick drive, we arrived at the studio and were directed into the green room. Most of the morning was spent learning what had happened to my fellow contestants in the nine-year period between shows. I enjoyed speaking to everyone as we had each pursued different paths following our meeting nine years ago.
Soon enough, the taping of the first show began. Although each of us had been given ample time to practice with the signaling button, it was clear to all of the contestants that the actual games were very different from our rehearsals. The first three episodes were filmed and I remained in my seat. I thoroughly enjoyed watching my fellow contestants compete. Each person possessed their own strengths, making these initial shows quite competitive. When these first games had finished, each of the contestants returned to their seats in high spirits, no matter how they had finished.
The final episodes were filmed in the afternoon. I was selected to participate in the final show with David and Robert. As I had spent the morning speaking to both of them, I knew that our game would be competitive. Some of the categories were more difficult than others; however, each of us did well in different areas. Ultimately, my experience with Jeopardy! has been wonderful, and I can only hope that one day, the show's producers decide to have a second reunion. |
