How did your friends and family react when they found out you were going to be on Jeopardy!?
Well, because WPXI does this thing where they reserve the right to approach you and surprise you about it (they didn't end up doing that) my parents actually had to keep it a secret for about a week and a half, which was kind of difficult for them. Um, after that, though, once I found out, I was luckily lying down--that was probably a boon, because I didn't really take it too well--it--it was kind of hard to come to terms with--I don't think I still have, even though I'm in the studio now--but it'll sink in, probably, once I actually get behind a podium and start playing the game.
Did you do anything to prepare for today?
Nothing special. I went to the, uh, University of Pittsburgh quiz bowl practices as well as just practicing with, uh, my school's team. But I didn't really do anything special, I just studied as I would have ordinarily.
What do you like to do in your free time?
I--just--typical Pittsburgh things. I don't go downtown. Um, I--I--I talk to friends, family, um... school's a big part of my life. Just because it's pretty demanding and it's what I have to do, so, that took up a lot of my time.
What is your favorite subject in school?
Um, I wouldn't say a favorite subject, but I know that if there's a Jeopardy! category on something like chemistry or math, I know that I'm going to do well. Um... I'd have to say that my favorite subject, though, would have to be U.S. history, because--mostly because of my teacher.
If you could invent a perfect Jeopardy! category, what would it be?
I would say ORGANIC CHEMISTRY. Because--because I know that--because fewer kids are going to know it, and that I will.
Where do you see yourself in ten years?
You know, I don't really know. But I don't think it matters much. I know that I'm going to be happy, and that's what matters. I could go into pretty much anything. I'm--I know that I'm not going to be the next opera singer, uh, to come out of Pittsburgh, I know that I'm not going to be a great artist, but I'll do something, and I'll be happy doing it, and that's what matters to me.
What will you do with the money if you win big?
I'd like to travel. I--well--first stop is an iPod. I've--It's the one thing that I've held off on buying just because I know that next week there'll be a new and better one. But, now, if--if I win some obscene amount of money, I know that I'm going to be able to spend some of it, so, I think that's probably the first thing that I would do, and then I would have to travel, um, probably in Europe, uh, maybe some France, and Germany, Switzerland. Nice places. I've always wanted to travel abroad and I've never really had the opportunity to.
Is there anyone you'd like to say "Hi" to?
Uh, I'd like to say "Hi" to Leah Schwartz, who wants Alex to know that she loves him. I'd like to say "Hi" to Joel Portnoy who wants to be here instead of me. Um, I'd also like to say "Hi" to some people from NYLC: Laza Spears, Jackie Pissore, and John my roommate. |
