Ball State University alumna Joanna Lees just finished stating her answers in the form of a question.
Lees, a 2007 journalism graduate, was chosen for the popular television game show "Jeopardy!" earlier this year, but finished the show's taping Tuesday, she said.
Because Lees is "sworn to secrecy" about the show's outcome until its airing in early June, she said she "represented herself admirably" in the competition.
Lees said her journalism degree helped her on the show.
"I've always been a trivia buff and that's part of why I went into journalism," Lees said. "It taught me to pay attention to the world around me."
She started her journey in the fall of 2007 when she took a 50-question online test, she said. The test's results scored her a passing score and an e-mail saying she was chosen from a random drawing. From that point, Lees said she was invited to Chicago for a written test and formal interview.
"It was all pretty straightforward," she said.
Lees said when she received the deciding phone call a couple weeks ago, she began frantically jumping up and down and screaming. She said she didn't get nervous unless she watched the show at home.
Despite having to pay for her plane ticket, Lees said she stayed in a hotel with a special rate for contestants, and her trip guaranteed her at least $1,000 in prize money regardless of her finish.
"Thinking about it now, the whole experience seems like a blur," Lees said. "At least I get the bragging rights and get to be the minor local celebrity for a little while."
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