Jackson Free Press

Some would say trivia is, well, trivial. True, except when your grasp of it lands you on "Teen Jeopardy." Katie Gill, a 15-year-old Murrah High School student, earned the attention of Jackson when she landed a coveted spot on Alex Trebek's knowledge challenge for young contestants. Through the Jeopardy e-mail list, officials made an all-call for teenagers in the area. Gill did well enough on the online test to qualify for the Nashville finals.

Thirty other teens from the southeast headed to the music city for a mock Jeopardy trial and an interview to test their compatibility for television.

Gill waited in Mississippi for about three weeks before receiving a phone call telling her she was going to be on the show.

"My mom got a phone call that said, 'Congratulations, your kid's so special. She made it onto 'Teen Jeopardy,'" Gill says.

Preparing for such an event presented no trouble as Gill's family made sure she put every answer they hurled at her in the form of a question.

"(They) waited until after semester exams mainly to start drilling me," Gill says. "But yeah, all throughout Christmas, (I heard) 'Put it in the form of a question, Katie!'"

Gill has been pushing the buzzer in trivia bowls since the sixth grade, and is the captain of the Murrah Quiz Bowl team. She found the buzzer gave her a distinct advantage when she reached Los Angeles, because several of the 15 other finalists had never touched one.

Despite varying levels of competency, most of the kids got along well together, Gill says. They all shared a love of facts, Ben & Jerry's ice cream, playing Uno and staying in the studio to watch the other rounds if one of them lost in the competition.

"I'm surprised that we didn't drive the contestant coordinators insane! When you have 15 kids (on a bus) singing loudly to 'I'm a Believer' ... they were cool with it," Gill says.

Gill says she went pretty far in the contest, at least enough to make the trip a satisfying one, but since she "signed her soul to Alex Trebek," she remains mum on her final rank until the show airs on Wednesday, Feb. 13 on 16-WAPT at 3:30 p.m.

When asked if she had any troubles on the show, Gill smiles. "I had to go change my blouse, since apparently it made me look like a floating head. I was fine with that, but the producers didn't like the idea of a floating head."

If given the opportunity, she definitely wants to do the whole thing over again, but rules state no contestant can have another go until the current host retires. Gill's final thoughts? "Retire soon, Alex."

Previous Comments

ID

82668

Comment

And who says there are no smart kids in JPS? Way to go Katie!

Author

golden eagle

Date

2008-02-08T09:20:46-06:00

ID

82669

Comment

Congrats, Katie. Kinda makes me wish I went to APAC. When asked if she had any troubles on the show, Gill smiles. “I had to go change my blouse, since apparently it made me look like a floating head. I was fine with that, but the producers didn’t like the idea of a floating head.” I wonder what color she was wearing. I think it must have been blue since Jeopardy's set has a blue color scheme.

Author

LatashaWillis

Date

2008-02-08T10:05:04-06:00

ID

82670

Comment

Yes, isn't she fabulous!?!

Author

DonnaLadd

Date

2008-02-08T10:19:47-06:00

ID

82671

Comment

...and she is from WHAT SCHOOL???????? Congratulations, Katie. These are the kinds of things that make us proud and also it lets us know that this quotation holds true: If a man can write a better book, Preach a better sermon or Build a better mouse-trap than his neighbor; Though he builds his house in the woods, The world will make a beaten pathway To his den. Keep up the good work, Katie!

Author

justjess

Date

2008-02-08T12:59:02-06:00

ID

82672

Comment

Way to go Katie. From a JPS Mom, there are good kids, black & white, in JPS! You better recognize!

Author

lanier77

Date

2008-02-12T09:10:23-06:00

ID

82673

Comment

Congrats Kaitie. AND FIFTEEN! That's young even for teen jeapordy. APAC rocks. So happy that a campus will be opened in South Jackson as well :)

Author

emilyb

Date

2008-02-12T13:03:01-06:00

ID

82674

Comment

Who runs the program up there these days? I miss Mr Barfield, even with his horrid puns. IG, Murrah Quiz Bowl Vet

Author

Ironghost

Date

2008-02-12T13:44:37-06:00

ID

82675

Comment

Ledger has an update on Katie's winnings and a story about her. She made us proud!

Author

DonnaLadd

Date

2008-02-19T19:04:02-06:00

ID

82676

Comment

Wow, $10,000 is a lot of dough for a 15-year-old. I hope she puts some away for college, but I think her parents will make sure that happens.

Author

LatashaWillis

Date

2008-02-19T19:20:15-06:00